Anti-Arthropod Vector Vaccines, Methods of Selecting, and Uses Thereof
Description of Invention: Leishmania parasites are transmitted to their vertebrate hosts by infected phlebotomine sand fly bites. Sand fly saliva is known to enhance Leishmania infection, while immunity to the saliva protects against infection. This invention claims nine major salivary proteins from the sand fly vector of Leishmania major, Phlebotomus papatasi, nucleic acids encoding the proteins, vaccines comprising the proteins and/or nucleic acids, and methods of producing an immune response to prevent Leshmaniasis. The inventors have shown that one of these salivary proteins was able to protect vaccinated mice challenged with parasites plus salivary gland homogenates (SGH). A DNA vaccine containing the cDNA for the same protein provided this same protection. Protection lasted at least 3 months after immunization. The vaccine produced both intense humoral and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions. B cell-deficient mice immunized with the plasmid vaccine successfully controlled Leishmania infection when injected with Leishmania plus SGH.
Inventors:
Jesus Valenzuela (NIAID) Yasmine Belkaid (NIAID) Shaden Kamhawi (NIAID) David Sacks (NIAID) Jose Ribeiro (NIAID)
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-122-2001/0 --
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/299,391 filed 19 Jun 2001
PCT Application No. PCT/US02/19663 filed 18 Jun 2002, which published as WO 02/102324 A3 on 27 Dec 2002
U.S. Patent Application No. 10/481,180 filed 17 Dec 2003
Relevant Publication:
The invention is further described in Valenzuela JG et al.,
"Toward a defined anti-Leishmania vaccine targeting vector antigens: characterization of a protective salivary protein," J. Exp. Med. 2001 Aug 6;194(3):331-42.
For Additional Information Please Contact: Peter A. Soukas J.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
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Phone: (301) 435-4646
Email: soukasp@mail.nih.gov
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