Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 6 4 2011 12 15 60 75 EN H Rezvan Department of Laboratory Science, School of Paraveterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran R Rees School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton, Nottingham, UK, NG11 8NS SA Ali School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton, Nottingham, UK, NG11 8NS 2015 10 03 Background: Leishmaniasis is a worldwide disease prevalent in tropical and sub tropical coun­tries. Many attempts have been made and different strategies have been approached to develop a potent vaccine against Leishmania. DNA immunisation is a method, which is shown to be effec­tive in Leishmania vaccination. Leishmania Soluble Antigen (SLA) has also recently been used Leishmania vaccination. Methods: The immunity generated by SLA and L. mexicana gp63 cDNA was compared in groups of 6 mice, which were statistically analysed by student t- test with the P-value of 0.05. SLA was administered by two different methods; intramuscular injection and injection of den­dritic cells (DCs) loaded with SLA. L. mexicana gp63 cDNA was administered by the gene gun. Results: Immunisation of BALB/c mice with L. mexicana gp63 resulted in high levels of Th1-type immune response and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) activity, which were accompanied with protection induced by the immunisation against L. mexicana infection. In contrast, administra­tion of SLA, produced a mixed Th1/Th2-type immune responses as well as a high level of CTL activity but did not protect mice from the infection. Conclusion: The results indicate higher protection by DNA immunisation using L. mexicana gp63 cDNA compared to SLA, which is accompanied by a high level of Th1 immune response. However, the CTL activity does not necessarily correlate with the protection induced by the vac­cine. Also, gene gun immunisation is a potential approach in Leishmania vaccination. These find­ings would be helpful in opening new windows in Leishmania vaccine research. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/206 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/206/205