Identification of antigens recognized by T cells in human leishmaniasis: Analysis of T-cell clones by immunoblotting

Immunity in human leishmaniasis is mediated by sensitized T lymphocytes; however, the antigens involved in eliciting this immunity have not been defined. We describe the generation of human T-lymphocyte clones derived from two patients with healed leishmaniasis. By use of one- and two-dimensional cellular immunoblotting techniques, we directly identified the parasite antigens recognized by these clones. To our knowledge, these are the first leishmanial antigens identified to which CD4⁺, gamma interferon-producing T cells from immune individuals have been shown to respond, and the strategy may be of general use for the identification of antigens involved in immunity in this disease.