title: Immunization of rhesus macaques with Echinococcus multilocularis recombinant 14-3-3 antigen leads to specific antibody response.
abstract: E. multilocularis (Em) is the etiologic agent of alveolar echinococcosis (AE), a severe and potentially fatal disease, primarily affecting the liver of and occurring in aberrant intermediate hosts, e.g., humans and non-human primates. Due to increasing numbers of spontaneous cases of AE in the Old World monkey colonies of the German Primate Center, the question arose as to whether vaccination of non-human primates may represent a useful prophylactic approach. In this pilot study, the recombinant antigen Em14-3-3, which has provided a 97 % protection against E. multilocularis challenge infection in rodent models, was used for the first time to immunize rhesus macaques. In order to increase immunogenicity, the antigen was formulated with different adjuvants including Quil A®, aluminum hydroxide (alum), and muramyl dipeptide (MDP). Also, different vaccination regimens were tested. All vaccinated animals developed antigen-specific antibodies. While Quil A® induced a local adverse reaction, alum proved to be the most potent adjuvant in terms of induced antibody levels, longevity as well as tolerability. In conclusion, our pilot study demonstrated that recombinant Em14-3-3 is safe and immunogenic in rhesus monkeys. As a next step, efficacy of the vaccination remains to be explored.
authors: German Primate Center, Leibniz-Institute for Primate Research, Pathology Unit, Kellnerweg 4, D-37077, Goettingen, Germany. klampe@dpz.eu.
authors: Karen
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0096-9607
authors: K
authors: Lampe
authors: Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, University of Bern, Vetsuisse Faculty and Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Parasitology, Laenggass-Straße 122, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Gottstein
authors: German Primate Center, Leibniz-Institute for Primate Research, Pathology Unit, Kellnerweg 4, D-37077, Goettingen, Germany.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Becker
authors: German Primate Center, Leibniz-Institute for Primate Research, Unit of Infection Models, Kellnerweg 4, D-37077, Göttingen, Germany.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Stahl-Hennig
authors: German Primate Center, Leibniz-Institute for Primate Research, Pathology Unit, Kellnerweg 4, D-37077, Goettingen, Germany.
authors: F-J
authors: FJ
authors: Kaup
authors: German Primate Center, Leibniz-Institute for Primate Research, Pathology Unit, Kellnerweg 4, D-37077, Goettingen, Germany.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Mätz-Rensing
mesh_terms: D048948:14-3-3 Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000276:immunology*; D004443:Echinococcosis; D004444:Echinococcosis, Hepatic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004446:Echinococcus / Q000276:immunology; D048210:Echinococcus multilocularis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D048948:14-3-3 Proteins; D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
keywords: 14-3-3 protein; Alveolar echinococcosis; Echinococcus multilocularis; Fox tapeworm; Non-human primate; Vaccination