The Schistosoma bovis Sb14-3-3zeta recombinant protein cross-protects against Schistosoma mansoni in BALB/c mice

Vaccine. 2007 Oct 10;25(41):7217-23. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2007.07.021. Epub 2007 Aug 1.

Abstract

Current control programs against schistosomiasis could be reinforced through the use of an effective vaccine. Schistosome 14-3-3 proteins have been proposed as candidates for vaccine against the respective infections, and were seen to elicit high protection levels against Schistosoma bovis in a previous work done by our group. We have therefore investigated the protective capacity of the 14-3-3 protein from S. bovis - Sb14zeta - against Schistosoma mansoni in mice. In addition, we have addressed the influence of the co-administration of three different immunomodulators with the 14-3-3 polypeptide. Protection was high when the Sb14zeta protein was combined in two independent experiments with the AA2829 and PAL immunomodulatory molecules as regards both the reduction of worm numbers (mean: 64.8%) and egg loads in liver (mean: 73.9%) or intestine (mean: 71.5%). In contrast, the degree of protection achieved with the Sb14zeta-CpG vaccine was very low (14.9% reduction in worm numbers, and 46.6% and 32% reduction in liver and intestinal egg loads). The immune responses observed in the vaccinated animals showed that the production of IFNgamma and the absence of IL-4, accompanied by a strong humoral response, are insufficient to elicit protection against S. mansoni.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Helminth / blood
  • Blood / parasitology
  • Cross Reactions*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Helminth Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Helminth Proteins / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunologic Factors / administration & dosage
  • Immunologic Factors / immunology
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-4 / biosynthesis
  • Intestines / parasitology
  • Liver / parasitology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Parasite Egg Count
  • Recombinant Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology
  • Schistosoma / immunology*
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / immunology
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / prevention & control*
  • Spleen / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Helminth
  • Helminth Proteins
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Interleukin-4
  • Interferon-gamma