F. Costa et al., Trans-sialidase delivered as a naked DNA vaccine elicits an immunological response similar to a Trypanosoma cruzi infection, BRAZ J MED, 32(2), 1999, pp. 235-239
Citations number
25
Categorie Soggetti
Medical Research General Topics
Journal title
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL AND BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan parasite that causes Chagas' disease, does
not synthesize sialic acid, but expresses a trans-sialidase (TS) that cata
lyzes the transfer of sialic acid from host glycoconjugates to the parasite
surface. Here, we review studies that characterize the immune response to
the catalytic domain of the enzyme in humans during Chagas' disease or in m
ice following immunization with the TS gene. In both cases, there are antib
odies that strongly inhibit the enzymatic activity and generation of interf
eron-gamma-producing T cells.