Abstract

The fungus Cryptococcus neoformans causes life-threatening infections in approximately 10% of all patients with AIDS. A considerable body of evidence indicates that antibody to the cryptococcal capsular polysaccharide can contribute to host defenses. We have identified monoclonal antibodies to the capsular polysaccharide antigens. The experimental approach will involve: the study of the molecular structure of individual anticryptococcal antibodies are glycosylated in their antigen binding regions; and the study of serum antibody populations conjugate immunization using rabbit anti-idiotypic reagents and isoelectric focusing. These studies will produce information of fundamental interest in immunology and in the antibody response to fungal antigens. The studies in mice will pave the way for the molecular characterization of the human antibody response. These studies will also produce important information for the development of antibodies of C. neoformans for human therapy and vaccines against this fungal pathogen.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI033142-02
Application #
2068135
Study Section
Bacteriology and Mycology Subcommittee 2 (BM)
Project Start
1993-12-01
Project End
1996-11-30
Budget Start
1994-12-01
Budget End
1995-11-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1995
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
009095365
City
Bronx
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10461

  Publications

Rizzo, Juliana; Colombo, Ana C; Zamith-Miranda, Daniel et al. (2018) The putative flippase Apt1 is required for intracellular membrane architecture and biosynthesis of polysaccharide and lipids in Cryptococcus neoformans. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Res 1865:532-541
Casadevall, Arturo (2018) Antibody-based vaccine strategies against intracellular pathogens. Curr Opin Immunol 53:74-80
Goldman, David L; Nieves, Edward; Nakouzi, Antonio et al. (2018) Serum-Mediated Cleavage of Bacillus anthracis Protective Antigen Is a Two-Step Process That Involves a Serum Carboxypeptidase. mSphere 3:
Casadevall, Arturo; Pirofski, Liise-Anne (2018) What Is a Host? Attributes of Individual Susceptibility. Infect Immun 86:
Casadevall, Arturo (2018) Fungal Diseases in the 21st Century: The Near and Far Horizons. Pathog Immun 3:183-196
De Leon-Rodriguez, Carlos M; Rossi, Diego C P; Fu, Man Shun et al. (2018) The Outcome of the Cryptococcus neoformans-Macrophage Interaction Depends on Phagolysosomal Membrane Integrity. J Immunol 201:583-603
Rizzo, Juliana; Albuquerque, Priscila C; Wolf, Julie M et al. (2017) Analysis of multiple components involved in the interaction between Cryptococcus neoformans and Acanthamoeba castellanii. Fungal Biol 121:602-614
Casadevall, Arturo (2017) The Pathogenic Potential of a Microbe. mSphere 2:
Stukes, Sabriya; Coelho, Carolina; Rivera, Johanna et al. (2016) The Membrane Phospholipid Binding Protein Annexin A2 Promotes Phagocytosis and Nonlytic Exocytosis of Cryptococcus neoformans and Impacts Survival in Fungal Infection. J Immunol 197:1252-61
Bowen, Anthony; Casadevall, Arturo (2016) Revisiting the Immunoglobulin Intramolecular Signaling Hypothesis. Trends Immunol 37:721-723

Showing the most recent 10 out of 188 publications