Leishmaniasis is an important human and animal disease with a worldwide distribution including in North America where endogenous transmission in wild dogs has recently been reported. The disease presents as a spectrum of manifestations that can involve the skin and multiple visceral organs. It is chronic and exhibits a tendency for spontaneous remission. Immunological studies of infections by these parasites have provided valuable insights into functional T cell development in response to antigen activation. It is however intriguing that even though vigorous host immune responses are elicited in response to the parasite, Leishmania persist in the infected host. This suggests that the these parasites have evolved a strategy to evade immune detection.This study proposes that Leishmania amastigotes impair the ability of infected macrophages to process and present parasite molecules to CD4+ T cells. The approach to elucidate the underlying mechanism of this process builds on observations that implicated the phagocytic receptor as a determinant of pathogenesis in the L. mexicana model. Specifically, studies ascertain the evolution of the contents of the parasitophorous vacuole when parasites are internalized through the Fc or complement receptors. The prevailing vacuole characteristerics that exist when the vacuole is permissive of antigen presentation should be readily discerned. These studies will expose parasite processes that can be targeted for the control of Leishmania

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI048739-05
Application #
7176200
Study Section
Tropical Medicine and Parasitology Study Section (TMP)
Program Officer
Wali, Tonu M
Project Start
2003-09-30
Project End
2009-01-31
Budget Start
2007-02-01
Budget End
2009-01-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$206,229
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Florida
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Earth Sciences/Natur
DUNS #
969663814
City
Gainesville
State
FL
Country
United States
Zip Code
32611