Author
Linda L. Button
Bio: Linda L. Button is an academic researcher from University of British Columbia. The author has contributed to research in topics: Leishmania major & Gene. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 6 publications receiving 382 citations.
Topics: Leishmania major, Gene, Immunofluorescence, Leishmania, Recombinant DNA
Papers
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TL;DR: The major surface glycoprotein of Leishmania, gp63, is encoded by a small multi-gene family of tandemly linked genes which map to a single chromosome, and the restriction enzyme map of the repeat unit is highly conserved among the gene copies.
125 citations
TL;DR: Western blot analysis using anti-recombinant GP63 antibodies demonstrated that amastigotes synthesize GP63 which may undergo differential post-translational processing as compared to promastigote GP63.
88 citations
TL;DR: The gp63 fusion protein did not protect mice of either healer or nonhealer phenotype from challenge infection with live promatigotes, suggesting the presence of native determinants in the recombinant protein.
70 citations
TL;DR: Polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analyses demonstrated that there was size heterogeneity within the pro-peptide coding regions of the multiple GP63 genes of L. donovani and that such genes were expressed concurrently in the promastigote life stage.
58 citations
TL;DR: Mouse monoclonal antibodies raised against purified Leishmania major rGP63 had equivalent immunoblotting characteristics for native GP63 and recombinant GP63 with respect to linear determinants on GP63 expressed in diverse species ofLeishmania.
42 citations
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TL;DR: This article reviews current concepts of the clinical forms, immunology, pathology, laboratory diagnosis, and treatment of the disease as well as aspects of its epidemiology and control and makes recommendations for future research on the disease.
Abstract: Recent epidemiologic studies indicate that leishmaniasis in the Americas is far more abundant and of greater public health importance than was previously recognized. The disease in the New World is caused by a number of different parasite species that are capable of producing a wide variety of clinical manifestations. The outcome of leishmanial infection in humans is largely dependent on the immune responsiveness of the host and the virulence of the infecting parasite strain. This article reviews current concepts of the clinical forms, immunology, pathology, laboratory diagnosis, and treatment of the disease as well as aspects of its epidemiology and control. Recommendations for future research on the disease and its control are made.
596 citations
TL;DR: This review focuses on the direct role of proteases in disease pathogenesis and well-characterized examples of the roles proteases play in pathogenesis include their involvement in invasion of the host by parasite migration through tissue barriers, degradation of hemoglobin and other blood proteins, immune evasion, and activation of inflammation.
Abstract: Parasitic diseases represent major global health problems of immense proportion. Schistosomiasis, malaria, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and African sleeping sickness affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide, cause millions of deaths annually, and present an immense social and economic burden. Recent advances in genomic analysis of several of the major global parasites have revealed key factors involved in the pathogenesis of parasite diseases. Among the major virulence factors identified are parasite-derived proteases. This review focuses on the direct role of proteases in disease pathogenesis. Well-characterized examples of the roles proteases play in pathogenesis include their involvement in invasion of the host by parasite migration through tissue barriers, degradation of hemoglobin and other blood proteins, immune evasion, and activation of inflammation.
378 citations
TL;DR: The role of the immune response to Leishmania, with particular reference to the cutaneous disease caused by L. major, is discussed, and the concept of suppressor T cells is reviewed.
Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the role of the immune response to Leishmania, with particular reference to the cutaneous disease caused by L. major. Leishmaniasis is caused by species of the intracellular protozoan parasite belonging to the genus Leishmania. There are three main categories of leishmaniasis: cutaneous leishmaniasis (oriental sore), mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (espundia), and visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar). In humans, infection with Leishmania results in a spectrum of disease dependent upon the species involved and the efficiency of the host's immune response to the parasite. Diagnosis of active leishmaniasis is based primarily on the demonstration of the parasite in biopsies. A skin test using a killed whole parasite preparation (leishmanin) is used as a presumptive test. Genetic regulation of leishmaniasis is discussed in reference to mouse and humans, and the concept of suppressor T cells is reviewed. The various cytokines in leishmaniasis, including interferon (IFN) γ and interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, IL-1, and IL-2 are also discussed.
339 citations
TL;DR: The progress that has been made in recent years in understanding the biology of the leishmania– macrophage interaction and how the parasite can attach to and enter the host cell and survive in the intracellular environment is updated.
Abstract: Publisher Summary Although there are several reports of Leishmania parasitizing cells other than macrophages or even existing extracellularly in mammalian tissue, it is generally acknowledged that in the vertebrate host these organisms normally reside within cells of the macrophage lineage. The first description of this particular host cell–parasite interaction can probably be attributed to Cunningham, who examined biopsy material, stained with gentian violet, from a patient with “Delhi boil.” Given the now well-documented multifaceted role of macrophages in the immune response, the parasite's interplay with its host cell poses many intriguing problems for researchers. This chapter intends to update the progress that has been made in recent years in understanding the biology of the leishmania– macrophage interaction and how the parasite can attach to and enter the host cell and survive in the intracellular environment. The chapter also discusses the implications of these interactions in the induction of specific immune responses and on disease progression. It also describes those areas where future research may be of value in the rational development of new chemical and immunological therapies and vaccines.
310 citations
TL;DR: Advances in MSP research over the past decade are summarized, including organization of the gene families, crystal structure of the protein, regulation of mRNA and protein expression, biosynthesis and possible functions.
285 citations