Immunization with recombinant LD1 antigens protects against experimental leishmaniasis

The genes, ORFF and BT1 (previously ORFG), are part of the multigenic LD1 l ocus on chromosome 35 which is frequently amplified in Leishmania. BT1 enco des a biopterin transporter, while the function of the ORFF gene product is unknown, but it is localized to the nucleus. We show here that immunizatio n of mice with recombinant ORFF and BT1 proteins, individually, or in combi nation, conferred partial protection against challenge with Leishmania dono vani. Protection correlated with the production of antigen-specific antibod ies and in vitro splenocyte proliferation. Thus, these antigens can be pote ntial vaccine candidates against Visceral leishmaniasis. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.