The present invention encompasses vaccines or compositions comprising the chimeric KSAC protein that possesses immunogenic and protective properties, and methods of use including administering to an animal the antigenic KSAC protein thereof to protect animals. The invention also encompasses methods for making and producing the soluble, disaggregated, refolded or active proteins from inclusion bodies produced from prokaryotes or eukaryotes.

Substantially purified salivary Lu. longipalpis polypeptides, and polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides are disclosed. Vectors and host cells including the Lu. longipalpis polynucleotides are also disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed for inducing an immune response to sand fly saliva. In other embodiments, methods for treating, diagnosing, or preventing Leishmaniasis are disclosed.

Substantially purified salivary Lu. longipalpis polypeptides, and polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides are disclosed. Vectors and host cells including the Lu. longipalpis polynucleotides are also disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed for inducing an immune response to sand fly saliva. In other embodiments, methods for treating, diagnosing, or preventing Leishmaniasis are disclosed.

Anti-parasitic compounds and uses thereof. Compounds comprising a C-terminal peptide adjuvant conjugated to an N-terminal peptide antigen via a protease-cleavable linker, said peptide adjuvant comprising a peptide analog of C5a, wherein said peptide antigen comprises an antigenic epitope of a parasitic organism, such as T. gondii. Methods of therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of a parasitic infections.

Anti-parasitic compounds and uses thereof. Compounds comprising a C-terminal peptide adjuvant conjugated to an N-terminal peptide antigen via a protease-cleavable linker, said peptide adjuvant comprising a peptide analog of C5a, wherein said peptide antigen comprises an antigenic epitope of a parasitic organism, such as T. gondii. Methods of therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of a parasitic infections.

The present invention provides a method for treating canine leishmaniasis by immunotherapy.

The present invention provides a method for treating canine leishmaniasis by immunotherapy.

The present invention claims an isolated nucleotide sequence characterized by encoding the PFR1 protein of Leishmania infantum or a fragment thereof. This PFR1 protein or a fragment thereof comprises at least a selected immunodominant epitope between the following group: SEQ ID No: 1, SEQ ID No: 2, SEQ ID No: 3, SEQ ID No: 4, SEQ ID No: 5, SEQ ID No: 6, SEQ ID No: 7 and SEQ ID No: 8, where the immunodominant epitope is able to induce an antigen-specific T cell cytotoxic immune response in an animal, against the kinetoplastids causing the leishmaniasis disease. The immunodominant epitopes are cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activators and they present a high binding affinity for A2 type MHC Class I molecule.

The present invention claims an isolated nucleotide sequence characterized by encoding the PFR1 protein of Leishmania infantum or a fragment thereof. This PFR1 protein or a fragment thereof comprises at least a selected immunodominant epitope between the following group: SEQ ID No: 1, SEQ ID No: 2, SEQ ID No: 3, SEQ ID No: 4, SEQ ID No: 5, SEQ ID No: 6, SEQ ID No: 7 and SEQ ID No: 8, where the immunodominant epitope is able to induce an antigen-specific T cell cytotoxic immune response in an animal, against the kinetoplastids causing the leishmaniasis disease. The immunodominant epitopes are cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activators and they present a high binding affinity for A2 type MHC Class I molecule.

The present invention is based, in part, on the identification of methods of modulating PD-1 expression and/or activity in regulatory T cells (Tregs) to thereby regulate effector immune responses in effector T cells (Teffs).