Enhancement by IL-18 of the protective effect of a Schistosoma japonicum 26kDa GST plasmid DNA vaccine in mice.
Two recombinant plasmids pVAX/Sj26GST and pVAX/mIL-18 containing Schistosoma japonicum 26kDa GST and murine IL-18 were evaluated for their ability to protect mice against S. japonicum challenge. Mice were given 2 intramuscular immunizations 3 weeks apart, and challenged with S. japonicum cercariae 4 weeks later. Adult worm and egg burdens were determined 48 days post-challenge. All animals vaccinated with pVAX/Sj26GST alone or with pVAX/mIL-18 developed specific anti-SWAP (soluble worm antigen preparation) ELISA antibody and splenocyte proliferation response. Co-injection of pVAX/mIL-18 significantly increased the production of IFN-gamma and IL-12, indicating that IL-18 enhances the Th1-dominant immune response. Challenge experiments showed that worms were reduced in the pVAX/Sj26GST group by 30.1% and by 49.4% in animals given pVAX/mIL-18 additionally. Corresponding hepatic and fecal egg reductions were 44.8% and 53.0%, and 50.6% and 56.6%, respectively. These results indicate that IL-18 may be an effective adjuvant for a schistosomiasis vaccine.
Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, 1068 Qinglong Road, Changchun 130062, China.
Feng
F
Wei
Quan
Q
Liu
Shengyan
S
Gao
Limin
L
Shang
Yujia
Y
Zhai
Jingtao
J
Men
Li
L
Jiang
Xing-Quan
XQ
Zhu
Zhiqiang
Z
Fu
Yaojun
Y
Shi
Zhiping
Z
Xia
Jiaojiao
J
Lin
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000378:metabolism; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008099:Liver / Q000469:parasitology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D010957:Plasmids; D012549:Schistosoma japonicum / Q000276:immunology*; D012554:Schistosomiasis japonica / Q000517:prevention & control; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D020382:Interleukin-18; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D005982:Glutathione Transferase