title: KSAC, the first defined polyprotein vaccine candidate for visceral leishmaniasis.
abstract: A subunit vaccine using a defined antigen(s) may be one effective solution for controlling leishmaniasis. Because of genetic diversity in target populations, including both dogs and humans, a multiple-antigen vaccine will likely be essential. However, the cost of a vaccine to be used in developing countries must be considered. We describe herein a multiantigen vaccine candidate comprised of antigens known to be protective in animal models, including dogs, and to be recognized by humans immune to visceral leishmaniasis. The polyprotein (KSAC) formulated with monophosphoryl lipid A, a widely used adjuvant in human vaccines, was found to be immunogenic and capable of inducing protection against Leishmania infantum, responsible for human and canine visceral leishmaniasis, and against L. major, responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis. The results demonstrate the feasibility of producing a practical, cost-effective leishmaniasis vaccine capable of protecting both humans and dogs against multiple Leishmania species.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA. aygoto@mail.ecc.u-tokyo.ac.jp
authors.forename: Yasuyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Goto
authors.forename: Ajay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhatia
authors.forename: Vanitha S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Raman
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Raodoh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mohamath
authors.forename: Alessandro F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Picone
authors.forename: Silvia E Z
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Vidal
authors.forename: Thomas S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Vedvick
authors.forename: Randall F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: Steven G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Reed
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D004285:Dogs; D006801:Humans; D018314:Leishmania infantum / Q000276:immunology; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000276:immunology; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000662:veterinary; D008050:Lipid A / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D020815:Polyproteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016052:Protozoan Vaccines
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D008050:Lipid A; D020815:Polyproteins; D016052:Protozoan Vaccines; C048436:monophosphoryl lipid A