Immunological characterization of a chimeric form of Schistosoma mansoni aquaporin in the murine model.
Aquaporin (SmAQP) is the most abundant transmembrane protein in the tegument of Schistosoma mansoni. This protein is expressed in all developmental stages and seems to be essential in parasite survival since it plays a crucial role in osmoregulation, nutrient transport and drug uptake. In this study, we utilized the murine model to evaluate whether this protein was able to induce protection against challenge infection with S. mansoni cercariae. A chimeric (c) SmAQP was formulated with Freund's adjuvant for vaccination trial and evaluation of the host's immune response was performed. Our results demonstrated that immunization with cSmAQP induced the production of high levels of specific anti-cSmAQP IgG antibodies and a Th1/Th17 type of immune response characterized by IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-17 cytokines. However, vaccination of mice with cSmAQP failed to reduce S. mansoni worm burden and liver pathology. Finally, we were unable to detect humoral immune response anti-cSmAQP in the sera of S. mansoni-infected human patients. Our results lead us to believe that SmAQP, as formulated in this study, may not be a good target in the search for an anti-schistosomiasis vaccine.
Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia do Instituto de Ciências Biológicas,Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais,31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG,Brazil.
Barbara Castro Pimentel
BC
Figueiredo
Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia do Instituto de Ciências Biológicas,Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais,31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG,Brazil.
Natan Raimundo Gonçalves
NR
De Assis
Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia do Instituto de Ciências Biológicas,Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais,31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG,Brazil.
Suellen Batistoni
SB
De Morais
Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais (INCT-DT),CNPq MCT, 31270-901, MG,Brazil.
Vicente Paulo
VP
Martins
Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia do Instituto de Ciências Biológicas,Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais,31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG,Brazil.
Natasha Delaqua
ND
Ricci
Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia do Instituto de Ciências Biológicas,Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais,31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG,Brazil.
Rodrigo Marques
RM
Bicalho
Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais (INCT-DT),CNPq MCT, 31270-901, MG,Brazil.
Carina Da Silva
Cda S
Pinheiro
Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia do Instituto de Ciências Biológicas,Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais,31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG,Brazil.
Sergio Costa
SC
Oliveira
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000276:immunology*; D020346:Aquaporins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007114:Immunization; D008099:Liver / Q000469:parasitology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000276:immunology*; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014611:Vaccination
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D020346:Aquaporins; D016207:Cytokines; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins