Kinetoplastid membrane protein-11 is present in promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis and its surface expression increases during metacyclogenesis.
Kinetoplastid membrane protein-11 (KMP-11), a protein present in all kinetoplastid protozoa, is considered a potential candidate for a leishmaniasis vaccine. A suitable leishmaniasis vaccine candidate molecule must be expressed in amastigotes, the infective stage for mammals. However, the expression of KMP-11 in Leishmania amastigotes has been a subject of controversy. We evaluated the expression of this molecule in logarithmic and stationary growth phase promastigotes, as well as in amastigotes, of Leishmania amazonensis by immunoblotting, flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry, using a monoclonal antibody against KMP-11. We found that KMP-11 is present in promastigotes and amastigotes. In both stages, the protein was found in association with membrane structures (at the cell surface, flagellar pocket and intracellular vesicles). More importantly, its surface expression is higher in amastigotes than in promastigotes and increases during metacyclogenesis. The increased expression of KMP-11 in metacyclic promastigotes, and especially in amastigotes, indicates a role for this molecule in the parasite relationship with the mammalian host. The presence of this molecule in amastigotes is consistent with the previously demonstrated immunoprotective capacity of vaccine prototypes based on the KMP-11-coding gene and the presence of humoral and cellular immune responses to KMP-11 in Leishmania-infected humans and animals.
Instituto de Tecnologia em Imunobiológicos, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Denise C S
DC
Matos
Lanuza A P
LA
Faccioli
Léa
L
Cysne-Finkelstein
Paula Mello De
PM
Luca
Suzana
S
Corte-Real
Geraldo R G
GR
Armôa
Elezer Monte Blanco
EM
Lemes
Débora
D
Decote-Ricardo
Sergio C F
SC
Mendonça
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007120:Immunochemistry; D007894:Leishmania mexicana / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D008565:Membrane Proteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C551389:kinetoplastid membrane protein-11, Leishmania amazonensis