Aim: To identify the immunogenicity and the potentiality of rSj22.6 as a candidate vaccine antigen for schistosomiasis japonica.
Methods: rSj22.6 was tested by Western blot with specific antibodies to identify its immunogenicity. The rSj22.6 protein was isolated and purified by SDS-PAGE and injected twice into rabbits to raise antirSj22.6 serum that was tested by Western blot to recognize the native protein of adult S. japonicum and SEA. C57 mice were immunized with rSj22.6 and challenged with S. japonicum cercariae to identify the protective immunity raised by rSj22.6.
Results: rSj22.6 could be recognized by specific antibodies and could stimulate the rabbits to produce high level of anti-rSj22.6 antibodies. Anti-rSj22.6 serum could recognize an adult native protein with the same molecular weight as rSj22.6. The preliminary immune-challenge test resulted in significant reduction in adult worm burden.
Conclusion: rSj22.6 possesses immunogenicity in stimulating rabbits to produce high level of specific antibody and has protective role as a candidate vaccine antigen against S. japonicum infection.