title: Immunogenetics of Toxoplasma gondii informs vaccine design.
abstract: A series of studies over 20 years mapped resistance to toxoplasmic encephalitis in mice to major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) and ultimately, more precisely the Ld region. This is consistent with contemporary functional studies that demonstrated a protective role for CD8(+) T cells. Recent studies have demonstrated that the Ld gene product presents a number of immunodominant Toxoplasma gondii-derived peptides in the murine models, providing a paradigm for vaccine design. The almost complete sequencing of the genomes of the predominant strains of T. gondii in conjunction with the development of predictive binding algorithms for MHC I peptides in humans now offers a new opportunity for vaccine development against this medically important pathogen.
authors.affiliation: School of Science, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, PA1 2BE, UK.
authors.forename: Fiona L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Henriquez
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cong
authors.forename: Rima
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McLeod
authors.forename: Craig W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D005805:Genes, MHC Class I; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016052:Protozoan Vaccines / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000502:physiology; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D016827:CD8 Antigens; D006183:H-2 Antigens; C408902:MHC binding peptide; D009842:Oligopeptides; D016052:Protozoan Vaccines