title: Schistosoma japonicum: the design and experimental evaluation of a multivalent DNA vaccine.
abstract: The aim of this study was to construct and evaluate the immunity efficacy of the DNA multivalent vaccine pVIVO(2)SjFABP-23. The vaccine was constructed and produced as follows. Forty BALB/c mice were divided into four groups designated pVIVO(2), pVIVO(2)Sj23, pVIVO(2)SjFABP and pVIVO(2)SjFABP-23. Each mouse was immunized with 100 mug of the corresponding plasmid DNA by intramuscular injection. 28 days post-vaccination, the mice were challenged with S. japonicum cercariae, and the worm and egg burdens were determined 42 days post-challenge. Serum samples were collected from all the mice before and after vaccination and at the end of the experiment, and used for antibody detection. The IFN-gamma and IL-4 levels were quantified in the supernatants of specifically stimulated spleen cells. The number of worms was reduced by 52%, 40% and 42% in mice respectively immunized with pVIVO(2)SjFABP-23, pVIVO(2)Sj23 or pVIVO(2)SjFABP. A respective 61%, 38% and 39% egg reduction was determined relative to those mice that only received the empty pVIVO2 plasmid. pVIVO(2)SjFABP-23 immunization increased IgG levels against SWAP and SEA. Increased IFN-gamma levels were detected in the supernatant of specific stimulated spleen cells from mice immunized with the 3 different constructs. The multivalent DNA vaccine developed induced higher levels of protection than the two monovalent tested vaccines.
authors.affiliation: Life school, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China.
authors.forename: Chunyan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Longjiang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Zhi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Xiaohua
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Youen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Sijin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Meng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015195:Drug Design; D005260:Female; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D011897:Random Allocation; D012549:Schistosoma japonicum / Q000276:immunology*; D012554:Schistosomiasis japonica / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D019444:Vaccines, DNA