Allergy Medicine

Findings from University of Illinois, Medical Department advance knowledge in allergies

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"Recombinant WbVAH was then expressed and purified. VAH from other nematode parasites is being evaluated as potential vaccine candidates. Because W bancrofti infections are more prevalent than B. malayi, it will significantly benefit using W. bancrofti antigens for vaccine development. In this study, we have evaluated the human immune responses to rWbVAH in putatively immune individuals who live in the endemic regions (endemic normal, EN) to determine the vaccine potential of WbVAH. These responses were then compared to those in infected individuals (microfilaraemic, MF and chronic pathology, CP). Results show that EN subjects carry WbVAH-specific IgGI, IgG2, and IgG3 circulating antibodies. It is interesting to note that CP patients also carried antibodies against WbVAH that was mainly of the IgG3 isotype. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMQ from EN individuals responded strongly to rWbVAH by proliferating and secreting IFN-gamma. PBMC from MF patients also proliferated in response to rWbVAH but secreted mainly IL-10. Thus, there was a clear dichotomy in the cytokine production by infected patients vs individuals who are putatively immune (EN). Although vaccine potential of WbVAH has not been established yet, our findings suggest that WbVAH mediated immune responses in EN individuals is primarily Thlbiased," wrote S.B. Anand and colleagues, University of Illinois, Medical Department.

The researchers concluded: "Further vaccination studies are underway in animal models to determine the role of WbVAH in protective immunity against W bancrofti and B. malayi infections."

Anand and colleagues published their study in Parasitology Research (Immune response studies with Wuchereria bancrofti vespid allergen homologue (WbVAH) in human lymphatic filariasis. Parasitology Research, 2007;101(4):981-988).

For more information, contact K. Ramaswamy, University of Illinois, College Medical, Dept. of Biomedical Science, 1601 Parkview Avenue, Rockford, IL 61107, USA.

Publisher contact information for the journal Parasitology Research is: Springer, 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013, USA.

Keywords: United States, Rockford, Allergen, Allergies, Allergy Medicine, University of Illinois, Medical Department.

This article was prepared by Immunotherapy Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Immunotherapy Weekly via NewsRx.com.