Cloning and Characterization of Leishmania Parasite Antigen Genes with Target T Cell Epitopes

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This proposal aims to identify Leishmania parasite antigens recognized by T cells and to clone their genes and characterize their T cell antigenic determinants. Immunochemical, biochemical and molecular biology techniques will be used. Two strains of Leishmania, Leishmania major LRC 137 (V121) and L. major LRC119, and the murine model BALB/c H-2K, CBA/H or C57BL/6 mice will be used. The proposal is based on the observations that there are L. major antigens that are recognized by T helper cells. The T helper cells function by producing effector molecules that primarily activate macrophages (L. major) and stimulate sensitized T cytotoxic cells to mount specific cell mediated response. Information generated from this basic research project will contribute to our general knowledge of cellular and molecular immunology by providing information on the mechanisms of antigen processing and presentation. It will shed light on the chemical properties of T cell epitopes and allow us to understand how T cell epitopes are selected for processing and presentation and how they might interact with the T cell receptor (TCR alpha/beta) during antigen dependent activation of T helper cells.