Chlichlia K, Bahgat M, Ruppel A, Schirrmacher V
Department of Tropical Hygiene, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Vaccine. 2001 Nov 12;20(3-4):439-47. doi: 10.1016/s0264-410x(01)00345-0.
DNA-based vaccine technology was used to induce an immune response in mice against a schistosome cysteine proteinase, asparaginyl endopeptidase (Sm32). The cDNA coding for Sm32 was cloned in a mammalian expression vector under control of the CMV promoter/enhancer and expressed for the first time in transfected mammalian cells as well as in mice immunized with the Sm32-encoding DNA construct. These mice developed antibodies which recognized the native protein not only in homogenates of Schistosoma mansoni worms but also in the gut on cryostat sections of the parasites. This DNA vaccine led to an anti-fecundity effect: female worms of a challenge infection produced 37% less eggs than those growing in naïve mice. The results suggest that Sm32 may be a candidate antigen for the generation of an anti-pathology vaccine against schistosomes.
