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

这项建议旨在确定利什曼原虫抗原 被T细胞识别并克隆它们的基因， 表征其T细胞抗原决定簇。 免疫化学、生物化学和分子生物学技术 将用于 两株利什曼原虫，硕大利什曼原虫LRC 137（V121） 和L. major LRC 119和鼠模型BALB/c H-2K、CBA/H 或C57 BL/6小鼠。 所涉提议主要是 据观察，有L。主要抗原是 被T辅助细胞识别。 辅助性T细胞的功能 通过产生效应分子， 巨噬细胞（L.主要）和刺激致敏T细胞毒性 细胞以产生特异性细胞介导的应答。 从这个基础研究项目产生的信息将 有助于我们对细胞的一般知识， 分子免疫学，提供有关 抗原加工和呈递的机制。 它将 揭示了T细胞表位的化学特性， 让我们了解T细胞表位是如何被选择的， 处理和呈现，以及它们如何与 抗原过程中T细胞受体（TCR α/β） 辅助性T细胞的依赖性激活。

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.