Stuart M. Levitz

Identification of Cryptococcus neoformans capsule-associated protein antigens that mediate B cell-dependent vaccine protection in mice and elicit antibody responses in humans with cryptococcosis

This study identifies Blp4 as a Cryptococcus neoformans antigen that elicits B cell-dependent protective immunity in mice and antibody responses in human cryptococcosis survivors.

A protective hybrid protein vaccine informed by mapping major histocompatibility class II epitopes in Cryptococcus neoformans chitin deacetylases that stimulate CD4+ T cell responses

The paper identifies MHC-II epitopes in C. neoformans chitin deacetylases that stimulate CD4+ T cells and demonstrates their protective role in a hybrid protein vaccine.

Immunological correlates of protection mediated by a whole organism Cryptococcus neoformans vaccine deficient in chitosan

This paper identifies CD4+ T cells and their cytokines IFNγ, TNF, and IL-23 as critical for vaccine-mediated protection against Cryptococcus neoformans, with protection retained after vaccination even with CD4+ T cell depletion.

Protection against experimental cryptococcosis elicited by Cationic Adjuvant Formulation 01-adjuvanted subunit vaccines

This paper develops multivalent cryptococcal vaccines using CAF01 adjuvant that protect mice from experimental cryptococcosis by inducing IFNγ and IL-17 responses.

Human and murine Cryptococcus neoformans infection selects for common genomic changes in an environmental isolate.

The paper shows that environmental Cryptococcus neoformans strains undergo genomic and phenotypic changes during mammalian infection, suggesting animal virulence drives genetic adaptation.