Molecule Immune

Molecule Immune

Molecular Immunotechnology
WHO-sponsored Filarial Genome project

Prof. Kaliraj's group was involved in sequencing a total of 17,000 ESTs comprising of 7000 genes of B.malayi. Functional genomic analysis revealed that 30% of the genes were unique for filarial parasite, 27% being structural genes and 20% being enzymes. Genes such as SXP-1, Abundant Larval Transcript 2(ALT), Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein (TCTP), VAH, Thioredoxin, Transglutaminase, Thioredoxin peroxidase, MIF-1, HSP70 and endochitinase from the filarial parasites, Brugia malayi and Wuchereria bancrofti, have been identified as candidates for diagnosis and prophylactic measures. The immunodiagnostic and immunoprophylactic applications using these parasitic gene products have been extensively studied.


Immuno diagnosis of human lymphatic filariasis

As a part of global effort to eliminate lymphatic filariasis, a major public health problem for India and many other countries in the world, highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tests are being developed for close monitoring and evaluation of the control programs.Newer diagnostic tools reported based on antigen detection (Og4C3 and ICT card test kits) are limited by their ability to detect only bancroftian infection and not brugian infections. It is also essential to develop a diagnostic kit to identify prevalence of mixed filarial infection due to W. Bancrofti and B.malayi.

Prof. Kaliraj’s group has identified WbSXP-1 as a promising and a more reliable candidate for the identification of active infections (Microfileamics) in both bancroftian and brugian filariasis. Simple and rapid qualitative Immunodiagnostic test kits for the identification of antigen (monoclonal antibody to WbSXP-1 based) and antibody (recombinant filarial antigen WbSXP-1 based) from individuals with W.bancrofti/ B.malayi/mixed infections by Flow-through Assay (antibody test) and Immuno-chromatographic card test (antigen test) have been developed in collaboration with SPAN Diagnostics, Surat, P.A.R.I.S, Immunologicals, and UTC, Compiegne France. This product is currently under field evaluation for commercialization. Confidentiality and Material Transfer agreements have been executed by Prof. Kaliraj with M/S Span Diagnostics Surat for Manufacturing and Marketing in India and with M/S PANBIO Australia for Global marketing of these kits. This (is being worked out) / (serves) as a successful model for commercialization of a research product involving university, national and international commercial and noncommercial organizations / partners.

In the next phase stage-specific detection kits are being developed using recombinant DNA Technology and monoclonal antibodies for effective control of the disease. Compact Disc based high throughput immunoassays In many immunoassays like ELISA antigen or antibody is adsorbed onto the plastic surface of a microtitre plate. In collaboration with Glasgow university, UK., University of Heidelberg, Germany and Aims Sham's University, Egypt under EC project Prof. Kaliraj and his group have designed a compact disc (CD) platform which can replace the microtitre plate for antigen capture immunoassays as a cost effective and versatile method for mass diagnosis.

Immunoprophylaxis

The need for a lymphatic filariasis vaccine for complete eradication of the disease is imperative. Prof. Kaliraj's work carried out at the Centre in the past 10 years in collaboration with NIH, USA; Fermentile Hospital, Australia and JBTDRC, Wardha has resulted in the identification of novel stage-specific antigen ALT2 and other targets like VAH, transglutaminase, SXP, endochitinase, TCTP, thioredoxin, etc. as potential vaccine candidates. The results of the immunoprophylactic studies in mouse and gerbil models using ALT2 as a protein vaccine as well as a DNA vaccine are promising. Three putative vaccine candidates having partial lengths of ALT2, VAH and Thioredoxin peroxidase genes have been identified by screening the T7 phage