LmjMAPK10 offers protection against Leishmania donovani infection

Aims This study aimed at evaluating the DNA vaccination efficacy of Leishmania major‐derived MAPK10 against Leishmania donovani infection. Methods and Results MAPK10 is one of the 15 mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) of Leishmania major. Herein, we expressed the gene through a mammalian vector and tested whether priming with this gene would offer protection against L donovani infection. We report that LmjMAPK10 DNA vaccination using a mammalian expression vector significantly reduces the parasite burden. The protection is accompanied by host‐protective T‐cell functions, TH1‐type cytokines and elevated leishmanial antigen‐specific IgG2a isotype response. T‐cell response to the L donovani/challenge infection is associated with increase in IL‐12 and IFN‐γ, but reduced IL‐10 and IL‐4 production. Conclusions LmjMAPK10 is cross‐protective against L donovani infection.