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Immunity to Schistosomiasis. We have cloned a genomic DNA encoding a candidate vaccine antigen using an immunoscreening strategy and rat model. Multiple transcripts from this intronless gene have been characterized with translation products predicted in the same reading frame. One of these is a worm tegumental membrane glycoprotein, Sm25. Expression vectors have been developed to produce the antigen products for testing as candidate vaccines in rodents. CNS/Immune System Interactions. A nonpathological model was developed in rats to study immune responses to antigens introduced into the brain, an "immune privileged" site. Functional communication between normal brain and secondary lymphoid organs has been demonstrated. We have established evidence for traffic of activated B and T cells from the periphery into the CNS plus a requirement for antigen to promote retention of these cells and B cell differentiation within the brain. Recently, the model has been extended to mice to analyze responses to brain-infused tumor cells and cytokine profiles. A new view of immune privilege in the brain emerges as a result of our work. Knopf, P.M., et al. Immobilization of Schistosoma mansoni mracidia by activation of the alternate complement pathway at unusually high serum dilution. Parasite Immunol. 15:325-337, 1993. Knopf, P.M., et al. Physiology and immunology of lymphatic drainage of interstitial and cerebrospinal fluid from the brain. Neuropath. & Applied Neurobiol. 21:175-180, 1995.

Professor Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1962 Brown University Bio-Med Center, 413 863-1607 FAX: 863-1971

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