M. Kemp et al., T(H)1-LIKE HUMAN T-CELL CLONES RECOGNIZING LEISHMANIA GP63 INHIBIT LEISHMANIA-MAJOR IN HUMAN MACROPHAGES, Scandinavian journal of immunology, 40(6), 1994, pp. 629-635
The major surface protease of Leishmania major, gp63, has been suggest
ed as a vaccine candidate for cutaneous leishmaniasis. In this study g
p63 was purified from L. major promastigotes. A panel of human T-cell
clones recognizing this protein were generated from individuals who ha
d previously had self-healing cutaneous leishmaniasis. The T-cell clon
es expressed CD4, and the alpha chain of the T-cell antigen receptor.
Gp63 reactive T-cell clones activated by antigen or by immobilized ant
i-CD3 antibody released relative large amounts of interferon-gamma and
no or little interleukin-4, thereby resembling T(h)1 cells. Autologou
s mononuclear cells and Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cell lines we
re equally efficient in presenting the antigen to the T cells. The gp6
3 reactive T cells induced resistance to infection in cultured human m
acrophages by L. major. The data confirm that human CD4(+) T cells rec
ognizing gp63 can take part in the host defence against L. major infec
tions.