# CHARACTERIZATION AND CLONING OF LEISHMANIA ANTIGENS

> **NIH NIH R01** · ROYAL MELBOURNE HOSPITAL · 1987 · $63,087

## Abstract

The overall objectives of this proposal are twofold:  (l) to identify and
characterize carbohydrate and protein antigens of Leishmania major involved
in induction of host-protective immune responses or which are key molecules
obligatory for initiating infection of the host macrophage; (2) to clone,
characterize and express genes for the protein antigens in order to allow
production of these molecules for vaccination studies in our mouse-L.major
model system.  Specifically, the glycolipid molecule on the surface of the
amastigote which is the receptor for the host macrophage will be
biochemically characterized in terms of its composition, synthesis,
transport to the macrophage surface and association with host MHC
molecules.  The role of this glycolipid in determining tissue tropism and
as a potential vaccine molecule will be studied.  These studies will
provide new information on a key parasite molecule which is critical for
the host-parasite interaction and will assess this molecule as a vaccine.

In addition, stage-specific and strain specific cDNA sequences will be
isolated and characterized in terms of their transcription, gene structure
and sequence.  These sequences which represent good candidates to encode
host protective antigens will be expressed to allow indentification of the
encoded protein and vaccination studies in mice.  Polymorphic gene
sequences will be used as genomic markers for the genotypic taxonomy of
Leishmania.  The molecular karyotyping of Leishmanis using pulsed field
gradient gel electrophoresis to separate chromosomes will permit the
analysis of the genetic content of individual chromosomes.  These molecular
genetic studies will integrate with the immunochemical studies to provide
fundamental new insights into antigens and genes of Leishmamis which are
critically involved in determining the host parasite relationship.

This proposal thus emphasizes the use of both glycolipid and protein
molecules in the development of a defined Leishmania vaccine.  This
reflects the belief that for genetically diverse parasites and hosts a
multivalent vaccine will be necessary to achieve protection.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3128715
- **Project number:** 5R01AI019347-05
- **Recipient organization:** ROYAL MELBOURNE HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** EMANUELA HANDMAN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $63,087
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1983-01-01 → 1989-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3128715

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3128715, CHARACTERIZATION AND CLONING OF LEISHMANIA ANTIGENS (5R01AI019347-05). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3128715. Licensed CC0.

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