Evaluation of local immune response to Fasciola hepatica experimental infection in the liver and hepatic lymph nodes of goats immunized with Sm14 vaccine antigen.
Protection against Fasciola hepatica in goats immunized with a synthetic recombinant antigen from Schistosoma mansoni fatty acid-binding protein 14 (rSm14) was investigated by assessing worm burdens, serum levels of hepatic enzymes, faecal egg count and hepatic damage, which was evaluated using gross and microscopic morphometric observation. The nature of the local immune response was assessed by examining the distribution of CD2+, CD4+, CD8+ and γ´+ T lymphocytes along with IgG+, IL-4+ and IFN-γ+ cells in the liver and hepatic lymph nodes (HLN). The goats used consisted of group 1 (unimmunized and uninfected), group 2 [infected control - immunized with Quillaia A (Quil A)] and group 3 (immunized with rSm14 in Quil A and infected), each containing seven animals. Immunization with rSm14 in Quil A adjuvant induced a reduction in gross hepatic lesions of 56.6% (p < 0.001) and reduced hepatic and HLN infiltration of CD2+, CD4+, CD8+ and γ´+ T lymphocytes as well as IL-4+ and IFN-γ+ cells (p < 0.05). This is the first report of caprine immunization against F. hepatica using a complete rSm14 molecule derived from S. mansoni. Immunization reduced hepatic damage and local inflammatory infiltration into the liver and HLN. However, considering that Quil A is not the preferential/first choice adjuvant for Sm14 immunization, further studies will be undertaken using the monophosphoryl lipid A-based family of adjuvants during clinical trials to facilitate anti-Fasciolavaccine development.
Mendes
Ricardo E
RE
Departamento de Anatomía, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
Zafra
Rafael
R
Pérez-Ecija
Rafael A
RA
Buffoni
Leandro
L
Martínez-Moreno
Alvaro
A
Tendler
Miriam
M
Pérez
José
J
D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000276:immunology*; D005210:Fasciola hepatica / Q000276:immunology*; D005211:Fascioliasis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D050612:Fatty Acid Transport Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D015511:Goat Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology*; D006041:Goats; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D014612:Vaccines / Q000276:immunology
D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D050612:Fatty Acid Transport Proteins; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D014612:Vaccines; C068709:SM14 protein, Schistosoma mansoni