FORGEN

RESEARCH NETWORK FOR FUNDAMENTAL GENETIC TECHNOLOGY

FORGEN II IS4 Experimental infection with Leishmania parasites: induction of protective immunity using dendritic cells

Aim of the Project:

The outcome of infections with Leishmania as well as other intracellular parasites and bacteria is determined by the type of the cellular immune response, in particular the pattern of lymphokines released by T cells. Dendritic cells play a critical role in the regulation of this T cell response. A single treatment with dendritic cells that had been pulsed with parasite antigen induces long-lasting protection in mice against a subsequent challenge with Leishmania. This finding indicates that dendritic cells may serve as an efficient adjuvans for vaccination against leishmaniasis or infections with other intracellular microorganisms. Therefore, the molecular basis for the extraordinary efficiency of dendritic cells in the induction of protective immune responses will be analysed in the model of experimental leishmaniasis. The project is aimed at the development of a dendritic cell-based vaccine against infectious diseases.

Application:

Project Design
The studies will focus on the following aspects: 1. identification of the restriction elements that are responsible for the presentation of parasite antigen to protective T cells, 2. the involvement of cytokine receptors and costimulatory molecules on dendritic cells and 3. the use of defined Leishmania antigens.