Host defense against Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) is chiefly conducted by cellular immunity. The adaptive immunity plays an important role, and T cells are activated through recognition of some immunodominant antigens of M. leprae. A search for an immunodominant antigen was carried out using human peripheral monocytes-derived dendritic cells and M. leprae-derived cell membrane fraction which is the most antigenic fraction of the bacteria, and Major Membrane Protein (MMP)-II was found as one of the immunodoninant antigens. The MMP-II highly stimulated both dendritic cells and macrophages to produce various cytokines. Further, MMP-II was recognized by T cells in vivo in patients infected with M. leprae. Then, we constructed a recombinant BCG secreting MMP-II. The recombinant BCG strongly stimulated both naive CD4+ and naive CD8+ T cells, and seemed to be a useful immunostimulatory agent.
BT - Nihon Hansenbyo Gakkai zasshi = Japanese journal of leprosy : official organ of the Japanese Leprosy Association C1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17037384?dopt=Abstract DA - 2006 Sep IS - 3 J2 - Nihon Hansenbyo Gakkai Zasshi LA - jpn N2 -Host defense against Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) is chiefly conducted by cellular immunity. The adaptive immunity plays an important role, and T cells are activated through recognition of some immunodominant antigens of M. leprae. A search for an immunodominant antigen was carried out using human peripheral monocytes-derived dendritic cells and M. leprae-derived cell membrane fraction which is the most antigenic fraction of the bacteria, and Major Membrane Protein (MMP)-II was found as one of the immunodoninant antigens. The MMP-II highly stimulated both dendritic cells and macrophages to produce various cytokines. Further, MMP-II was recognized by T cells in vivo in patients infected with M. leprae. Then, we constructed a recombinant BCG secreting MMP-II. The recombinant BCG strongly stimulated both naive CD4+ and naive CD8+ T cells, and seemed to be a useful immunostimulatory agent.
PY - 2006 SP - 279 EP - 83 T2 - Nihon Hansenbyo Gakkai zasshi = Japanese journal of leprosy : official organ of the Japanese Leprosy Association TI - [Identification of an immunodominant antigen of Mycobacterium leprae and its application for the development of protective measures]. VL - 75 SN - 1342-3681 ER -