Characterization of protective immunity induced against Schistosoma mansoni via DNA priming with the large subunit of calpain (Sm-p80) in the presence of genetic adjuvants
Despite advances in control via snail eradication and large-scale chemotherapy using praziquental, schistosomiasis continues to spread to new geographic areas particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Presently, there is no vaccine for controlling this disease. We have concentrated on a functionally impor...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
EDP Sciences
2005-03-01
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| Series: | Parasite |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/parasite/2005121003 |
| Summary: | Despite advances in control via snail eradication and large-scale chemotherapy using praziquental, schistosomiasis continues to spread to new geographic areas particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Presently, there is no vaccine for controlling this disease. We have concentrated on a functionally important schistosome antigen Sm-p80 as a possible vaccine candidate for schistosomiasis. Here we report the proliferation of spleen cells in response to the recombinant Sm-p80 protein and cytokine (IFN-γ and IL-4) production by the splenocytes. These spleen cells were obtained from groups of mice that were vaccinated with a DNA vaccine formulation containing Sm-p80 and one of the Th-1 (IL-2 or IL-12) or Th-2 (GM-CSF, IL-4) enhancer cytokines. The splenocytes from the groups of mice vaccinated with Sm-p80 DNA in the presence of Th-2 enhancer cytokines showed moderate but detectable proliferation. The splenocytes obtained from mice vaccinated with Sm-p80 DNA with Th-1 enhancer cytokines IL-2 and IL-12 provided the highest proliferation. The IFN-γ production by splenocytes was found to follow the similar pattern [(Sm-p80) < (Sm-p80 + IL-4) < (Sm-p80 + GM-CSF) < (Sm-p80 + IL-12) < (Sm-p80 + IL-2)], as has been observed for the proliferation and protection data. However, the elevated IL-4 production was inversely correlated to Sm-p80-induced splenocyte proliferation or the protection. These results show again that protective immune response induced by Sm-p80 is of Th-1 type. |
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| ISSN: | 1252-607X 1776-1042 |