Mucin-Associated Surface Protein as a Novel Vaccine Candidate Against Chagas Disease

Use of synthetic peptides derived from Trypanosoma cruzi antigens and their use in vaccination against trypomastigote infection and Chagas disease. A conserved region in the family of mucin-associated surface proteins (MASP) was used to analyze the expression of MASP at different points of invasion and proved to be important for host cell invasion, thus suggesting MASP as a candidate for vaccine development. A synthetic peptide, MASPsyn, was studied and showed efficacy in stimulating antibody and cytokine production necessary for resistance against the parasite. Chao Zhang czhang3@utep.edu 915-747-6717