Exploiting host immunity and parasite genomics to develop a robust sub-unit vaccine against East Coast fever in cattle - Where are we?

Mwangi, D.M.; Graham, S.P.; Pelle, R.; Honda, Y.; Tonukari, N.J.; Yamage, I.M.; Glew, E.J.; Villiers, E.P. de; Shah, T.; Bishop, R.P.; Abuya, E.; Awino, E.; Gachanja, J.; Luyai, A.E.; Mbwika, F.; Muthiani, A.M.; Ndegwa,  D.M.; Njahira, M.; Nyanjui, J.K.; Onono, F.O.; Osaso, J.; Saya, R.M.; Wildmann, C.; Fraser, C.M.; Maudlin, I.; Gardner, M.J.; Morzaria, S.P.; Loosmore, S.; Gilbert, S.C.; Audonnet, J.-C.; Bruggen, P. van der; Nene, V.; Taracha, E.L.N.

Exploiting host immunity and parasite genomics to develop a robust sub-unit vaccine against East Coast fever in cattle - Where are we?

2006

Theileria parva, a tick-borne api-complexan protozoan parasite, causes East Coast fever (ECF) in cattle. Control of the disease by improved vaccination is believed to provide a sustainable solution. Class I MHC-restricted CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) directed at schizontinfected cells constitute the effector immune mechanism against ECF in cattle recovering from a single or multiple infection(s). Schizont antigens recognised by CTL are therefore prime vaccine candidates. We describe a rational approach used to identify 8 CTL target antigens as vaccine candidates. The genes encoding the target antigens have been engineered in plasmid DNA and viral vectors for evaluating their immunogenicity and efficacy in cattle. In a preliminary trial, five of the candidate vaccines demonstrated the capacity to induce CTL responses that correlated with survival and reduced disease severity following a lethal parasite challenge.

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