Project 4: Molecular and cellular action of HLA class II molecules, the major genetic risk factors for VL The studies will build on observations made during the current TMRC, in collaboration with Phase 2 of the Welcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC2), that HLA DR_DQ class 11 region contains the major genetic risk factor for visceral leishmaniasis in India (and Brazil).
Four specific aims are proposed: 1. To determine transcriptional signatures in whole blood and/or splenic aspirates from active and past cases, and Quantiferon and/or antibody positive asymptomatic infected donors (Project 1), carrying risk versus protective HLA DRB1 allele groups. 2. To determine at mRNA and protein levels ex vivo, and following stimulation/infection of cells in vitro, whether cis-acting regulatory polymorphisms are functional correlates of risk and protective HLA DRB1 allele groups. 3. To purify, and identify using mass spectrometry, naturally processed leishmanial peptides from EBV transformed B cells prepared from HLA DRB1*13/*14 versus HLA DRB1*15 donors stimulated with whole crude parasite lysate prepared from a local Indian strain of L. donovani, compare with in silico predictions of epitopes and binding affinity, and develop a strategy to subvert the immune response by vaccination 4. To validate results of aim 3 by measuring antigen presenting cell function and immune response to naturally processed and predicted peptide epitopes in exposed individuals, including active and past cases, and asymptomatic infected donors.

Public Health Relevance

Project 4. These studies will contribute to understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of HLA class genes as the major genetic risk factors for disease, and have implications for therapeutics and vaccine design and delivery.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Specialized Center (P50)
Project #
5P50AI074321-10
Application #
9105699
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAI1)
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2016-08-01
Budget End
2017-07-31
Support Year
10
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Banaras Hindu University
Department
Type
DUNS #
650330558
City
Varanasi
State
Country
India
Zip Code
221005
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Sundar, Shyam; Singh, Bhawana (2018) Emerging therapeutic targets for treatment of leishmaniasis. Expert Opin Ther Targets 22:467-486
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Sundar, Shyam; Agarwal, Dipti (2018) Visceral Leishmaniasis-Optimum Treatment Options in Children. Pediatr Infect Dis J 37:492-494
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Sharma, Smriti; Srivastva, Shweta; Davis, Richard E et al. (2017) The Phenotype of Circulating Neutrophils during Visceral Leishmaniasis. Am J Trop Med Hyg 97:767-770
Kansal, S; Chakravarty, J; Kumar, A et al. (2017) Risk Factors associated with defaulting from visceral leishmaniasis treatment: analysis under routine programme conditions in Bihar, India. Trop Med Int Health 22:1037-1042

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