Identification of Schistosoma mansoni antigens recognized by T cells of C57BL/6 mice immunized with gamma-irradiated cercariae.
Immunization of C57Bl/6 mice with gamma-irradiated Schistosoma mansoni cercariae induces highly significant protection against subsequent challenge with unattenuated living cercariae. The antigens that evoke T cell-mediated immunity in this model are vaccine antigen candidates since T lymphocytes mediate antibody-independent immune responses and control the production of most antibodies. To identify these antigens, spleen cells of mice immunized twice with gamma-irradiated cercariae were tested for proliferative responsiveness and production of interleukins (Il) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) following incubation with separated soluble schistosomular (SSA) and adult worm (SAWA) antigens in T cell western assays. Data obtained at 3, 4, 5, and 6 wk post-secondary immunization in 2 experiments indicated that SSA and SAWA bands of 62-60, 50, and 45 kDa reproducibly elicited T cell proliferation and production of Il-2, Il-4, and IFN-gamma by spleen cells from immunized, but not unimmunized, mice. Bands of 72-68, 29.5, and 28 kDa elicited proliferation and production of Il-2 and Il-4, but not IFN-gamma. Bands of 35-33 and 24 kDa induced either proliferation or Il production at some intervals.
Osman
A
A
Research Department, VACSERA, El Agouza, Cairo, Egypt.
el Ridi
R
R
Guirguis
N
N
Dean
D A
DA
D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D005720:Gamma Rays; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007114:Immunization; D007814:Larva / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000276:immunology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000276:immunology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000947:Antigens, Helminth