Effect of adjuvants on immune response and protective immunity elicited by recombinant Hsp60 (GroEL) of Salmonella typhi against S. typhi infection

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) have been reported to be dominant antigens for the host immune response to various pathogens and thus, have great potential for use in vaccination. In the present study, we evaluated the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of GroEL of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi against lethal infection by S. typhi Ty2 in mice with or without adjuvants. Anti GroEL–IgG titers were significantly higher in mice immunized with either GroEL-alone or in combination with alum/Complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) as compared to the control. Analysis of antibody isotypes suggested predominance of Th2 type immune response in GroEL + alum immunized animals as revealed by higher IgG1/IgG2a ratio. Whereas, immunization of animals with GroEL + CFA or GroEL-alone shifted the immune response toward Th1 phenotype. Mice immunized with GroEL with or without adjuvants, showed a significant increase in lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine levels. The animals immunized with GroEL + CFA or GroEL-alone showed higher IFN-γ and IL-2 levels than alum group, indicating Th1 response whereas IL-4 levels (Th2 response) were found to be highest in alum group as compared to other two immunized groups. Immunization of mice with GroEL-alone, GroEL + alum, and GroEL + CFA provided 70, 50 and 80% protection, respectively, against lethal challenge by S. typhi in mice. The differences in the percentage protection among various groups were attributed to the differences in the immune responses generated by respective immunizations. The present study shows that GroEL forms an ideal candidate molecule to develop a recombinant protein based vaccine against human typhoid.     

Fasciola gigantica fatty acid binding protein (FABP) as a prophylactic agent against Schistosoma mansoni infection in CD1 mice

Although schistosomicidal drugs and other control measures exist, the advent of an efficacious vaccine remains the most potentially powerful means for controlling this disease. In this study, native fatty acid binding protein (FABP) from Fasciola gigantica was purified from the adult worm's crude extract by saturation with ammonium sulphate followed by separation on DEAE-Sephadex A-50 anion exchange chromatography and gel filtration using Sephacryl HR-100, respectively. CD1 mice were immunized with the purified, native F. gigantica FABP in Freund's adjuvant and challenged subcutaneously with 120 Schistosoma mansoni cercariae. Immunization of CD1 mice with F. gigantica FABP has induced heterologous protection against S. mansoni, evidenced by the significant reduction in mean worm burden (72.3%), liver and intestinal egg counts (81.3% and 80.8%, respectively), and hepatic granuloma counts (42%). Also, it elicited mixed IgG(1)/IgG(2b) immune responses with predominant IgG1 isotype, suggesting that native F. gigantica FABP is mediated by a mixed Th1/Th2 response. However, it failed to induce any significant differences in the oogram pattern or in the mean granuloma diameter. This indicated that native F. gigantica FABP could be a promising vaccine candidate against S. mansoni infection.     

Evaluation of immune responses directed against 30kDa secretory protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra complexed in different adjuvants

Ability of different adjuvants to promote cell mediated immune responses towards 30 kDa secretory protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra was monitored by assessing the lymphocyte proliferation and IgG1/IgG2a subclass profile in mouse model. Six formulations, viz. poly lactide-co-glycolide (PLG) microspheres, dimethyldioctadecyl ammoniumbromide (DDA), liposomes, liposomes containing monophosphoryl lipid A and coated with alum (L-LIPA-AL) or without alum (L-LIPA) were evaluated in comparison to standard Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FIA). Two adjuvant formulations of 30kDa-L-LIPA-AL and 30kDa-PLG showed maximum reactivity on VIIIth week post immunization (p.im) in terms of lymphoproliferation w.r.t. other adjuvant formulations. Both the vaccine formulations also exhibited a Th1 shift in terms of higher IgG2a response over IgGI. Flowcytometric analysis in the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) of immunized animals revealed the capacity of 30kDa-PLG and 30kDa-L-LIPA-AL to activate T cell subsets like CD4 and CD8 T cells. The upregulation of B7 costimulatory molecules (B7-1 & B7-2) after immunization further proved the ability of the two vaccine formulations to activate antigen presenting cells. The immunostimulatory nature of the two formulations was also reflected in their capacity to reduce the bacilli load from the lungs of the experimentally infected mice. This study demonstrates PLG and L-LIPA-AL as potent adjuvants and their bioacceptibility and nontoxic nature make them suitable candidates for future subunit vaccine development against tuberculosis.     

Effect of respiratory syncytial virus infection on the uptake of and immune response to other inhaled antigens

Groups of BALB/c mice were sham infected or inoculated intranasally (IN) with live RSV. From Day 4 to 8 after infection, the animals were exposed IN to ovalbumin (OVA) with or without alum adjuvant. At different intervals, levels of OVA concentration in serum, IgG-anti-OVA antibody activity in serum, and IgA-anti-OVA antibody activity in bronchial washings were determined, employing the ELISA technique. IgE-anti-OVA antibody titers in serum and bronchial washings were assessed by PCA. OVA concentrations in serum were significantly higher in RSV-infected animals compared to uninfected controls. The use of alum adjuvant also increased OVA uptake in uninfected animals but to a lesser extent than RSV infection. RSV-infected animals developed significantly higher OVA-specific antibody titers of IgG isotype in serum and IgA isotype in bronchial washings than the uninfected controls, while alum enhanced the immune response less markedly but still significantly in uninfected mice. An IgE antibody response to OVA in serum was demonstrable in 50% of RSV-infected mice immunized IN with OVA and alum, while all uninfected animals and RSV-infected animals immunized with OVA alone (without adjuvant) failed to develop a detectable IgE response. These findings suggest that infections with viral agents such as RSV may function as adjuvants for other antigens inhaled during acute respiratory infection. These observations may explain the alterations in the immune response to other antigens in patients with acute viral-induced bronchopulmonary diseases.     

A purified 28,000 dalton protein from Schistosoma mansoni adult worms protects rats and mice against experimental schistosomiasis

We have purified a 28,000 dalton (P28) protein from Schistosoma mansoni adult worms and used it to immunize Fischer rats. Immunofluorescence assays demonstrated that the P28 antigen was mainly located in the parenchyma of the schistosomulum and of the adult worm, including the dorsal spines of the parasite. Western blot analysis revealed that this antigen was present in three species of schistosomes: S. mansoni, S. japonicum, and S. bovis. The antibody response raised against this protein was able to kill S. mansoni schistosomula in in vitro cytotoxicity assays in the presence of rat eosinophils. The inhibition of this cytotoxic activity by an aggregated myeloma IgG2a indicated that one of the major isotypes involved in this in vitro model is IgG2a. The passive transfer of P28 antisera induced a significant level of protection against experimental infection. Moreover, we have immunized Fischer rats and BALB/c mice with the purified 28,000 dalton protein and observed a marked decrease (up to 70%) in the parasite burden in both experimental infection models.     

超抗原SEA增强小鼠对HBV DNA 疫苗的免疫反应

观察超抗原SEA(D227A)的真核表达载体(pmSEA),对HBVDNA疫苗诱导Balbc小鼠(H2d)免疫应答的调节作用。肌内注射空载体pcDNA3、HBVDNA疫苗加pmSEA佐剂(pHBVS2S+pmSEA)或不加佐剂(pHBVS2S);ELISA法测定血清抗HBs;ELISPOT检测分泌IFNγ的脾淋巴细胞;4h51Cr释放法检测小鼠脾细胞CTL活性。HBVDNA佐剂组免疫小鼠抗HBsAg抗体滴度明显高于不加佐剂组,其IgG1IgG2a的比例不同于多肽免疫组,二者分别为0.282与10。HBVDNA佐剂组均能增强IgG1和IgG2a的产生,是不加佐剂组的1.36、1.73倍。佐剂组小鼠脾淋巴细胞IFNγ的分泌量是不加佐剂组2～3倍。CTL细胞杀伤活性(E:T=100)佐剂组与不加佐剂组分别为:69.77%±7.5%、42.81%±7.7%,差异显著(P<0.05)。HBVDNA疫苗具有较强的免疫原性,能够诱导机体产生特异性的抗体及CTL反应;pmSEA佐剂能够提高小鼠对DNA疫苗的免疫应答,有望成为DNA疫苗的免疫佐剂。     

Aluminum hydroxide associated to Schistosoma mansoni 22.6 kDa protein abrogates partial protection against experimental infection but not alter interleukin-10 production

The need to develop a vaccine against schistosomiasis led several researches and our group to investigate proteins from Schistosoma mansoni as vaccine candidates. Sm22.6 is a protein from S. mansoni that shows high identity with Sj22.6 and Sh22.6 (79 and 91%, respectively). These proteins are associated with high levels of IgE and protection to reinfection. Previously, we have shown that Sm22.6 induced a partial protection of 34.5% when used together with Freund's adjuvant and produced a Th0 type of immune response with interferon-g and interleukin-4. In this work, mice were immunized with Sm22.6 alone or with aluminum hydroxide adjuvant and high levels of IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a were measured. Unfortunately, no protection was detected. Since IL-10 is a modulating cytokine in schistosomiasis, we also observed a high level of this molecule in splenocytes of vaccinated mice. In conclusion, we did not observe the adjuvant effect of aluminum hydroxide associated with rSm22.6 in protective immunity.     

The Effect of IFN-gamma, Alum and Complete Freund Adjuvant on TNP-KLH Induced Ig.G(1), IgE and IgG(2a) Responses in Mice

Adjuvants are considered to play an important role in directing the isotype and amount of antibodies produced upon immunization by conducting the development of either Th-1 or Th-2 cells upon T-cell stimulation. This is based on the different cytokine production patterns that were observed after in vitro resttmulation of T cells isolated from mice immunized with antigen either adsorbed on alum or emulsified in complete Freund adjuvant (CFA). However, other studies suggest that primarily the type of antigen determines which isotypes are produced and to what extent. In these studies, however, IgE was not determined. Therefore, this study examined whether alum and CFA influenced the amount and/or ratio of IgG(1), IgE and IgG(2a) produced after TNP-KLH immunization. Similar levels of IgG(1), IgE and IgG(2a) antibodies were found upon immunization with TNP-KLH either adsorbed on alum or emulsified in CFA. Moreover, administration of IFN-gamma in combination with TNP-KLH adsorbed on alum did not increase the amount of IgG(2a) produced. IFN-gamma treatment resulted in an increased IL-6 and decreased IFN-gamma production by spleen cells upon Con A stimulation, whereas it did not change the IL-4 production in similar conditions. The presented results suggest that upon immunization with TNP-KLH high IL-4 levels are produced, resulting in an antibody response that is dominated by IgG(1), independent of the adjuvant employed. The IL-4 inducing property of TNP-KLH is substantiated by the finding that repeated immunization of mice with TNP-KI, without adjuvant, increases the serum total IgE level. The presented data suggest that the carrier part of TNP-KLH preferentially results in Th-2 cell activity after which the adjuvant merely enhances the antibody responses generated.     

Excretory-secretory product of fasciola hepatica worm protects against Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice

The objective of this study was to evaluate the protective immunity of excretory-secretory products of Fasciola hepatica (FhES) worm against S.mansoni infection in mice. Evaluation of FhES antigen was through measuring worm burden, ova count, granuloma size and frequency as well as the histopathological picture of the liver. The study was extended to determine the level of free radical scavengers; lipid peroxide, glutathione (GSH), vitamin C, vitamin E, catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Liver function enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were also taken into consideration. Four groups of eight mice each were selected for this study. Group 1 served as control group. Group 2: normal healthy mice vaccinated with FhES product. Group 3: S.mansoni infected mice for 2 months and group 4: infected mice pre-vaccinated with FhES antigen. Vaccination schedule comprised of a single subcutaneous injection of FhES antigen emulsified with Freund's complete adjuvant in a dose 0.5 mg protein/mouse, followed by intraperitoneal injections of the same antigen without adjuvant in 3 doses/week for 3 successive weeks. The total antigen inoculation was 5 mg protein/mouse. The present results revealed a drastic change in all the measured parameters after S.mansoni infection and a noticeable improved level after vaccination with FhES antigen. It can be concluded that FhES antigen succeeded to protect mice against schistosomiasis by a significant reduction in worm burden, ova count, granuloma size and number, improvement in the histopathological architecture of the liver as well as amelioration in the antioxidant levels under investigation.     

不同佐剂对人乳头瘤病毒16型L2E7E6蛋白免疫效果的影响

目的:研究CpG佐剂、弗氏佐剂、聚肌胞苷酸佐剂及左旋咪唑、西米替丁作为佐剂对人乳头瘤病毒16型L2E7E6融合蛋白在小鼠体内产生的免疫效果的影响。方法:以单独蛋白组、蛋白加各佐剂组分别肌肉注射免疫C57BL/6小鼠,检测不同佐剂诱发小鼠产生的体液免疫和细胞免疫应答水平,并观察其对小鼠肿瘤生长的抑制作用。结果:各免疫组均能检测到高滴度的抗L2、E7、E6蛋白IgG抗体(以IgG1为主),其中弗氏佐剂能显著提高E6蛋白的IgG和IgG1抗体水平和E7蛋白的IgG1抗体水平(P<0.05),CpG佐剂明显提高了E7蛋白的IgG2a抗体水平(P<0.01);而西米替丁佐剂则降低了E7抗原的IgG抗体水平(P<0.05);同时可以检测到CpG佐剂组能诱发小鼠产生针对E7、E6较强的细胞免疫反应,且能抑制70%的荷瘤小鼠肿瘤生长;此外弗氏佐剂与聚肌胞苷酸佐剂可产生较弱的针对E7肽的细胞免疫反应,能延缓荷瘤小鼠肿瘤形成时间,与单纯蛋白组相比差异显著(P<0.05)。结论:CpG佐剂、弗氏佐剂和聚肌胞苷酸佐剂都能提高人乳头瘤病毒16型L2E7E6融合蛋白的细胞免疫反应水平和抑制肿瘤生长能力,其中CpG佐剂效果较好,为促进该蛋白作为疫苗的研发提供了实验依据。     

Induction of protective immunity against Schistosoma mansoni by a nonliving vaccine. III. Correlation of resistance with induction of activated larvacidal macrophages

Mice protected against Schistosoma mansoni infection by intradermal (i.d.) immunization with nonliving larval or adult worm antigens plus bacterial adjuvant developed 24-hr skin test responsiveness to schistosome antigens with the histologic features of delayed hypersensitivity. Intraperitoneal antigen injection elicited a mononuclear cell-enriched exudative population containing macrophages activated for direct cytotoxicity against schistosomula and tumor cell targets. This was likely to be due to in vivo exposure to macrophage-activating lymphokines, since these cells were unresponsive to further lymphokine stimulation in vitro and splenocytes from immunized mice reacted to specific in vitro antigen challenge by production of lymphokines capable of conferring larvacidal activity upon control macrophages. In contrast, mice treated with schistosome antigens by i.v. injection, which were not protected against challenge infection, failed to develop delayed hypersensitivity or activated macrophages in response to specific antigen challenge in vivo, and the titers of macrophage-activating lymphokine produced by in vitro antigen-stimulated splenocytes from these mice were threefold to fourfold lower than those produced by cells from animals immunized by the i.d. route. Thus, sensitization for cell-mediated immune responses including lymphokine production and macrophage activation correlated with induction of resistance to S. mansoni in this model of vaccination.     

Adjuvant effect of CIA07, a combination of Escherichia coli DNA fragments and modified lipopolysaccharides, on the immune response to hepatitis B virus surface antigen

CIA07 is an immunostimulatory agent composed of bacterial DNA fragments and modified lipopolysaccharide, which has antitumor activity against bladder cancer in mice. In this study, the adjuvant activity of CIA07 was evaluated using hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) as the immunogen. Mice were immunized intramuscularly three times at 1-week intervals with HBsAg alone or in combination with alum, bacterial DNA fragments, modified lipopolysaccharide, CIA07 or CpG1826, and immune responses were assessed. At 1 week after the final injection, the HBsAg-specific total serum IgG antibody titer in CIA07-treated mice was 14 times higher than that in animals administered antigen alone, six times higher than in mice given alum or bacterial DNA fragments and twice as high as those treated with modified lipopolysaccharide or CpG1826, and remained maximal until 8 weeks postimmunization. Animals receiving antigen alone or plus alum displayed barely detectable HBsAg-specific serum IgG2a antibody responses. However, coadministration of CIA07 with antigen led to markedly enhanced serum IgG2a antibody titer and IFN-gamma(+) production in splenocytes, indicating that CIA07 effectively induces Th1-type immune responses. In addition, the number of HBsAg-specific CD8(+) T cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was elevated in CIA07-treated mice. These data clearly demonstrate that CIA07 is able to induce both cellular and humoral immune responses to HBsAg, and confirm its potential as an adjuvant in therapeutic vaccines for hepatitis B virus infections.     

CPG ODN allows lower dose of antigen against hepatitis B surface antigen in BALB/c mice

We have evaluated alum, immunostimulatory cytosine guanine dinucleotide-containing oligodeoxy-nucleotides (CPG ODN), and an alum/CPG ODN combination as adjuvants with hepatitis B surface antigen, to compare their potential to allow lower doses of antigen to be used for induction of humoral responses. BALB/c mice were immunized by intramuscular injection with 0.01, 0.1 or 1.0 micro g recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen without adjuvant or with alum and/or CPG ODN added. When given without adjuvant or with alum, each 10-fold decrease in amount of antigen resulted in a similarly reduced titre of antibody against hepatitis B surface antigen. In contrast, CPG ODN, on its own or combined with alum, allowed high anti-hepatitis B surface antigen titres even with a 1000-fold reduction in amount of antigen. These findings may have important immunological and economical consequences for vaccine development.     

A comparison of antibody titres in mouse uterine fluid after immunization by several routes, and the effect of the uterus on antibody titres in vaginal fluid

Measurements of specific antibody titres in uterine fluid of mice immunized by different routes indicated that two immunizations in the pelvic presacral space using aluminium hydroxide as adjuvant was a simple and effective way to elicit a significant IgA and IgG response. Higher IgA and IgG titres were produced in uterine fluid by subcutaneous immunization with antigen in Freund's complete adjuvant followed by intravaginal boosting without adjuvant, but this immunization involved both a toxic adjuvant and repeated applications of large doses of antigen in the vagina. Intragastric immunization produced an IgA response in the uterus but no IgG. Local intravaginal priming and boosting with large doses of antigen without adjuvant produced an IgA response in uterine fluid, but was less effective for IgG and was inefficient in terms of time and the amount of antigen used. Hysterectomy reduced the concentration of specific IgA in vaginal fluid of immunized mice to no more than 5% of normal, indicating that most of the IgA in vaginal fluid originates in the uterus. In contrast, IgG titres were not significantly different in hysterectomized and intact mice. IgA titres in vaginal fluid were at least partly restored to normal levels in sham-hysterectomized mice.     

Gold nanoparticle-adjuvanted S protein induces a strong antigen-specific IgG response against severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus infection,but fails to induce protective antibodies and limit eosinophilic infiltration in lungs

The spike (S) protein of coronavirus, which binds to cellular receptors and mediates membrane fusion for cell entry, is a candidate vaccine target for blocking coronavirus infection. However, some animal studies have suggested that inadequate immunization against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) induces a lung eosinophilic immunopathology upon infection. The present study evaluated two kinds of vaccine adjuvants for use with recombinant S protein: gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which are expected to function as both an antigen carrier and an adjuvant in immunization; and Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists, which have previously been shown to be an effective adjuvant in an ultraviolet-inactivated SARS-CoV vaccine. All the mice immunized with more than 0.5 µg S protein without adjuvant escaped from SARS after infection with mouse-adapted SARS-CoV; however, eosinophilic infiltrations were observed in the lungs of almost all the immunized mice. The AuNP-adjuvanted protein induced a strong IgG response but failed to improve vaccine efficacy or to reduce eosinophilic infiltration because of highly allergic inflammatory responses. Whereas similar virus titers were observed in the control animals and the animals immunized with S protein with or without AuNPs, Type 1 interferon and pro-inflammatory responses were moderate in the mice treated with S protein with and without AuNPs. On the other hand, the TLR agonist-adjuvanted vaccine induced highly protective antibodies without eosinophilic infiltrations, as well as Th1/17 cytokine responses. The findings of this study will support the development of vaccines against severe pneumonia-associated coronaviruses.     

Adaptive immune stimulation is required to obtain high protection with fatty acid binding protein vaccine candidate against Fasciola hepatica in Balb/C mice

Fascioliasis is a parasitic disease that mainly affects cattle and sheep, causing significant economic losses with a great impact in developing countries. Human fascioliasis is becoming more important with the high endemicity in some countries of the world. Previous studies have shown the importance of Fasciola hepatica fatty acid binding proteins (FABP) as protective molecules against fascioliasis in various animal models including mice, rabbits, and sheep. Our studies have shown the protective efficacy of recombinant FABP (rFh15) when the protein is formulated in the adjuvant adaptation system (ADAD), using either natural or synthetic immunomodulators. The ADAD system is most effective when it is used 5 days before each dose of specific vaccine antigen. The results showed survival rates of up to 50% with less severe hepatic lesions and high levels of IgG2a or IFNγ in immunized mice, using the ADAD system, compared to survival rates of 13% with no hepatic lesion reduction and high levels of IgG1 and IL-4 in those mice immunized with the simplified mode (ADADs).     

Altered antibody production and helper T cell function in mice lacking chemokines CCL19 and CCL21-Ser

The roles of chemokines CCL19 and CCL21 in Ab production were investigated using plt mutant mice, which lack expression of CCL19 and CCL21-ser in their lymphoid organs. In these mice, the Th response has been shown to tend towards the Th1 type because of accumulation of inflammatory dendritic cells. When plt mice were immunized with 100 μg OVA in CFA, the number of Ab-forming cells in the draining LN, and serum concentrations of OVA-specific IgM and IgG Ab, were very close to those of the control, yet IgG2a Ab in plt mice was increased. In vitro IFN-γ production by the draining LN cells of plt mice was increased. In addition, the ability of helper T cells from plt mice to stimulate Ab production in vitro was prolonged. Also, in the plt mice, in vivo challenge with OVA in incomplete Freund's adjuvant elicited a stronger IgG2a response and a weaker IgG1 response, which is suggestive of a Th1-dominant response. Similar findings were obtained when mice were immunized with 100 μg OVA in alum, except that with alum the increases observed in plt mice were IgG1 produced in vivo and IL-4 produced in vitro by draining LN cells. Furthermore, immunization with alum adjuvant also induced a prolonged in vitro recall response of IFN-γ and IL-4. These findings indicate that plt mice mount an anti-OVA Ab response, and suggest that CCL19 and CCL21 induce prompt Ab responses to antigen, and negatively regulate helper T cell responses in vivo.     

A novel adjuvant, a mixture of alum and the general opioid antagonist naloxone, elicits both humoral and cellular immune responses for heat-killed Salmonella typhimurium vaccine

In the current study, we tested the efficacy of the mixture of naloxone, an opioid receptor antagonist, and alum, as a new adjuvant, in the induction of humoral and cellular immunity in response to heat-killed Salmonella typhimurium (HKST) as a model vaccine. BALB/c mice were divided into five groups. Mice in the experimental groups received either the HKST vaccine alone or in combination with the adjuvant alum, naloxone or the alum-naloxone mixture. Mice in the negative control group received phosphate-buffered saline. All mice were immunized two times on days 0 and 14. Two weeks after the last immunization, immune responses to S. typhimurium were assessed. Our results indicated that the administration of the alum-naloxone mixture as an adjuvant increased the ability of the HKST vaccine to enhance lymphocyte proliferation, shifted the immune response towards a T-helper 1 (Th1) pattern and increased S. typhimurium-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgG2a, IgG1 and the ratio of IgG2a to IgG1. This resulted in improved protective immunity against S. typhimurium. In conclusion, the administration of the alum-naloxone mixture as an adjuvant, in combination with the HKST vaccine, can enhance both humoral and cellular immunity and shift the immune responses to a Th1 pattern.     

Immunostimulatory property of a synthetic peptide belonging to the soluble ATP diphosphohydrolase isoform (SmATPDase 2) and immunolocalisation of this protein in the Schistosoma mansoni egg

A peptide (SmB2LJ; r175-194) that belongs to a conserved domain from Schistosoma mansoni SmATPDase 2 and is shared with potato apyrase, as predicted by in silico analysis as antigenic, was synthesised and its immunostimulatory property was analysed. When inoculated in BALB/c mice, this peptide induced high levels of SmB2LJ-specific IgG1 and IgG2a subtypes, as detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, dot blots were found to be positive for immune sera against potato apyrase and SmB2LJ. These results suggest that the conserved domain r175-194 from the S. mansoni SmATPDase 2 is antigenic. Western blots were performed and the anti-SmB2LJ antibody recognised in adult worm (soluble worm antigen preparation) or soluble egg antigen antigenic preparations two bands of approximately 63 and 55 kDa, molecular masses similar to those predicted for adult worm SmATPDase 2. This finding strongly suggests the expression of this same isoform in S. mansoni eggs. To assess localisation of SmATPDase 2, confocal fluorescence microscopy was performed using cryostat sections of infected mouse liver and polyclonal antiserum against SmB2LJ. Positive reactions were identified on the external surface from the miracidium in von Lichtenberg's envelope and, in the outer side of the egg-shell, showing that this soluble isoform is secreted from the S. mansoni eggs.     

Protection of mice from rabies by intranasal immunization with inactivated rabies virus.

The mucosal immunization method is a needle-free alternative way of vaccination. This study evaluated the efficacy of mucosal immunization for rabies. Mice were intranasally administered five times with inactivated and concentrated rabies virus antigen (CRV) supplemented with or without cholera toxin (CT). The anti-rabies virus antibody titer of mice intranasally immunized with CRV plus CT (CRV/CT) was comparable to that of mice intraperitoneally immunized twice with the same amount of CRV. Virus neutralizing (VNA) titers of mice immunized intranasally with CRV/CT were slightly lower than those of intraperitoneally immunized mice. Both anti-rabies virus ELISA antibody and VNA titers of mice immunized with CRV without CT were significantly lower than those of mice immunized with CRV/CT. In mice intranasally immunized with CRV/CT, and intraperitoneally immunized mice, high levels of IgG(2a) antibody were detected, suggesting the activation of Th1-driven cellular immunity by the two ways of immunization. All immunized mice were challenged intracerebrally with a lethal dose of virulent rabies virus CVS strain. The survival rates of mice immunized with CRV/CT and CRV without CT were 67% and 17%, respectively, while the rate of intraperitoneally immunized mice was 100%. Antigen-specific whole IgG and IgG(2a), and VNA titers of survived mice were significantly higher than those of dead mice at the challenge day. These data suggest the possibility of intranasal immunization with inactivated antigen as a rabies vaccination strategy and the importance of a mucosal adjuvant such as CT.