Oral immunization with Salmonella harboring a Sm14-based DNA vaccine does not protect mice against Schistosoma mansoni infection

The protection against Schistosoma mansoni infection was evaluated in SWISS mice orally vaccinated with an attenuated strain of Salmonella carrying a Sm14-based DNA vaccine. Although this formulation was not able to afford a reduction in the worm burden, a non-antigen-specific decrease in schistosome-induced granulomatous reaction was verified in livers of mice that received Salmonella.     

Construction of a multivalent vaccine strain of Shigella flexneri and evaluation of serotype-specific immunity

Shigella flexneri causes more fatalities by shigellosis than any other Shigella species. There are 13 different serotypes of S. flexneri and their distribution varies between endemic geographical regions. The immune response against S. flexneri is serotype-specific, so current immunization strategies have required the administration of multiple vaccine strains to provide protection against multiple serotypes. In this study, we report the construction of a multivalent S. flexneri vaccine strain, SFL1425, expressing the O-antigen structure specific for serotypes 2a and 5a. This combination of type antigens has not previously been reported for S. flexneri. The multivalent vaccine strain, SFL1425 was able to induce a specific immune response against both serotypes 2a and 5a in a mouse pulmonary model.     

Immunization with chlamydial plasmid protein pORF5 DNA vaccine induces protective immunity against genital chlamydial infection in mice

To validate the immune protective efficacy of pORF5 DNA vaccine and to analyze potential mechanisms related to this protection. In this study, pORF5 DNA vaccine was constructed and evaluated for its protective immunity in a mouse model of genital chlamydial infection. Groups of BALB/c mice were immunized intranasally with pORF5 DNA vaccine. Humoral and cell mediated immune responses were evaluated. The clearance ability of chlamydial challenge from the genital tract and the chlamy- dia-induced upper genital tract gross pathology and histopathological characterization were also de- tected. The results showed that the total and the IgG2a anti-pORF5 antibody levels in serum were sig- nificantly elevated after pcDNA3.1-pORF5 vaccination, as were the total antibody and IgA levels in vaginal fluids. pcDNA3.1-pORF5 induced a significantly high level of Th1 response as measured by robust gamma interferon (IFN-γ). Minimal IL-4 was produced by immune T cells in response to the re-stimulation with pORF5 protein or the inactive elementary body in vitro. pcDNA3.1-pORF5-vacci- nated mice displayed significantly reduced bacterial shedding upon a chlamydial challenge and an accelerated resolution of infection. 100% of pcDNA3.1-pORF5 vaccinated mice successfully resolved the infection by day 24. pcDNA3.1-pORF5-immunized mice also exhibited protection against patho- logical consequences of chlamydial infection. The stimulated index was significantly higher than that of mice immunized with pcDNA3.1 and PBS (P<0.05). Together, these results demonstrated that immu- nization with pORF5 DNA vaccine is a promising approach for eliciting a protective immunity against a genital chlamydial challenge.     

Schistosoma japonicum: The design and experimental evaluation of a multivalent DNA vaccine

The aim of this study was to construct and evaluate the immunity efficacy of the DNA multivalent vaccine pVIVO₂SjFABP-23. The vaccine was constructed and produced as follows. Forty BALB/c mice were divided into four groups designated pVIVO₂, pVIVO₂Sj23, pVIVO₂SjFABP and pVIVO₂SjFABP-23. Each mouse was immunized with 100 μg of the corresponding plasmid DNA by intramuscular injection. 28 days post-vaccination, the mice were challenged with S. japonicum cercariae, and the worm and egg burdens were determined 42 days post-challenge. Serum samples were collected from all the mice before and after vaccination and at the end of the experiment, and used for antibody detection. The IFN-γ and IL-4 levels were quantified in the supernatants of specifically stimulated spleen cells. The number of worms was reduced by 52%, 40% and 42% in mice respectively immunized with pVIVO₂SjFABP-23, pVIVO₂Sj23 or pVIVO₂SjFABP. A respective 61%, 38% and 39% egg reduction was determined relative to those mice that only received the empty pVIVO2 plasmid. pVIVO₂SjFABP-23 immunization increased IgG levels against SWAP and SEA. Increased IFN-γ levels were detected in the supernatant of specific stimulated spleen cells from mice immunized with the 3 different constructs. The multivalent DNA vaccine developed induced higher levels of protection than the two monovalent tested vaccines.     

Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum: Utilization of amino acids

, , and 1972. Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum: utilization of amino acids. International Journal for Parasitology 2: 425–430. The production of ¹⁴CO₂ from 12 labeled amino acids by S. mansoni and S. japonicum was studied. No ¹⁴CO₂ was detected from incubations with glycine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine or phenylalanine. Differences were found between sexes and/or species for the other amino acids studied. Species related differences included a greater rate of metabolism of glutamic and aspartic acid by S. mansoni than by S. japonicum. Proline and histidine were utilized by S. mansoni males and females, respectively. S. japonicum male worms did not utilize proline, while histidine was not utilized by the female of this species. Major sex related differences included greater ¹⁴CO₂ production from glutamic acid, aspartic acid and arginine by S. mansoni males than by females, and the utilization of histidine by male S. japonicum but not by females. Incubation in tyrosine resulted in the release of only small amounts of ¹⁴CO₂ by female worms of both species but no ¹⁴CO₂ production by male worms.     

Inhibition of the Ecto-ATPdiphosphohydrolase of Schistosoma mansoni by Thapsigargin

ATPdiphosphohydrolases (ATPDases) are ubiquitous enzymes capable ofhydrolyzing nucleoside di- and triphosphates. Although a number ofpossible physiological roles have been proposed for ATPDases, detailedstudies on structure-function relationships have generally been hamperedby the lack of specific inhibitors of these enzymes. We have previouslycharacterized a Ca²⁺-activated ATPDase on the external surface ofthe tegument of Schistosoma mansoni, the etiologic agent of humanschistosomiasis. In the present work, we have examined the effectsof thapsigargin, a sesquiterpene lactone known as a high affinityinhibitor of sarco-endoplasmic reticulum calcium transport (SERCA)ATPase, on ATPDase activity. Whereas other lactones tested had littleor no inhibitory action, thapsigargin inhibited ATP hydrolysis by theATPDase (K _i20 M). Interestingly, hydrolysis of ADP was notinhibited by thapsigargin. The lack of inhibition of ATPase activityby orthovanadate, a specific inhibitor of P-type ATPases, and theinhibition of the Mg²⁺-stimulated ATP hydrolysis by thapsigarginruled out the possibility that the observed inhibition of the ATPDaseby thapsigargin could be due to the presence of contaminating SERCAATPases in our preparation. Kinetic analysis indicated that a singleactive site in the ATPDase is responsible for hydrolysis of both ATPand ADP. Thapsigargin caused changes in both V _max and K _m for ATP,indicating a mixed type of inhibition. Inhibition by thapsigarginwas little or not affected by changes in free Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺concentrations. These results suggest that interaction of thapsigarginwith the S. mansoni ATPDase prevents binding of ATP or its hydrolysisat the active site, while ADP can still undergo catalysis.     

Praziquantel-encapsulated niosomes against Schistosoma mansoni with reduced sensitivity to praziquantel

Introduction: Praziquantel (PZQ) is the only commercially available drug for schistosomiasis. The current shortage of alternative effective drugs and the lack of successful preventive measures enhance its value. The increase in the prevalence of PZQ resistance under sustained drug pressure is, therefore, an upcoming issue.Objective: To overcome the tolerance to PZQ using nanotechnology after laboratory induction of a Schistosoma mansoni isolate with reduced sensitivity to the drug during the intramolluscan phase.Materials and methods: Shedding snails were treated with PZQ doses of 200 mg/kg twice/ week followed by an interval of one week and then repeated twice in the same manner. The success of inducing reduced sensitivity was confirmed in vitro via the reduction of cercarial response to PZQ regarding their swimming activity and death percentage at different examination times.Results: Oral treatment with a single PZQ dose of 500 mg/kg in mice infected with cercariae with reduced sensitivity to PZQ revealed a non-significant reduction (35.1%) of total worm burden compared to non-treated control mice. Orally inoculated PZQ- encapsulated niosomes against S. mansoni with reduced sensitivity to PZQ successfully regained the pathogen’s sensitivity to PZQ as evidenced by measuring different parameters in comparison to the non-treated infected animals with parasites with reduced sensitivity to PZQ. The mean total worm load was 1.33 ± 0.52 with a statistically significant reduction of 94.09% and complete eradication of male worms. We obtained a remarkable increase in the percentage reduction of tissue egg counts in the liver and intestine (97.68% and 98.56%, respectively) associated with a massive increase in dead eggs and the complete absence of immature stages.Conclusion: PZQ-encapsulated niosomes restored the drug sensitivity against laboratory- induced S. mansoni adult worms with reduced sensitivity to PZQ.     

核酸疫苗初免-蛋白疫苗加强的免疫策略提高日本血吸虫核酸疫苗免疫效果

为研制抗血吸虫疫苗提供实验依据,探讨了抗血吸虫SjGST-32核酸疫苗与蛋白疫苗联合免疫的免疫增强效应及免疫应答特征。将日本血吸虫DNA疫苗VR1012-SjGST-32与重组蛋白疫苗rSjGST-32分别在第0、2和4周免疫小鼠,在第6周攻击感染日本血吸虫尾蚴,攻击感染45 d后剖杀小鼠,计算减虫率、检卵率以及检测肝脏病理变化,观察免疫保护效果;检测小鼠血清中特异性IgG抗体滴度,T细胞增殖反应和抗原特异性CD4+IFN-γ+、CD4+IL-4+和CD4+IL-10+的数量,探讨免疫应答特征。结果显示,DNA初免-蛋白加强的联合免疫组的保护作用优于单独免疫组,显著提高了减虫率(42.3%)和减卵率(59.6%),并且能够显著减轻血吸虫虫卵对肝脏的病理损害;进一步发现,DNA疫苗和蛋白疫苗联合应用增强了机体T淋巴细胞增殖反应、抗体IgG滴度以及抗原特异性CD4+IFN-γ+的产生。这些研究为新型血吸虫疫苗的优化设计和合理应用提供了依据。     

Improved cellular immune response elicited by a ubiquitin-fused ESAT-6 DNA vaccine against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The present study evaluated the immune response elicited by a ubiquitin-fused ESAT-6 DNA vaccine against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. BALB/c mice were vaccinated with plasmid DNA encoding ESAT-6 protein, ubiquitin-fused ESAT-6 DNA vaccine (UbGR-ESAT-6), pcDNA3-ubiquitin and blank vector, respectively. ESAT-6 DNA vaccine immunization induced a Thl-polarized immune response. The production of Thl-type cytokine (IFN-γ) and proliferative T-cell responses was enhanced significantly in mice immunized with UbGR-ESAT-6 fusion DNA vaccine, compared to non-fusion DNA vaccine. This fusion DNA vaccine also resulted in an increased relative ratio of IgG_2a to IgG_l and the cytotoxicity of T cells. Thus, the present study demonstrated that the UbGR-ESAT-6 fusion DNA vaccine inoculation improved antigen-specific cellular immune responses, which is helpful for protection against tuberculosis infection.     

曼氏血吸虫发育过程中的基因组DNA变异

曼氏血吸虫（Ｓｃｈｉｓｔｏｓｏｍａｍａｎｓｏｎｉ）和日本血吸虫（Ｓ．ｊａｐｏｎｉｃｕｍ）成虫和曼氏血吸虫尾蚴基因组ＤＡＮ经限制性内切酶ＢａｍＨＩ消化后,分别与＾３２ｐ－ｄＣＴＰ标记的来源于核糖体ＤＮＡ的ＰＳＭＨＣＲ５、ＰＳＭＨＣＲ４ＰＳＭ８８９探针杂交,曼我血吸虫尾蚴和成虫在ＰＳＭＨＣＲ４杂交带型的１．６－２．８ｋｂ之间,存在有明显不同的次杂带;而ＰＳＭＨＣＲ５和ＰＳＭ８８９的杂交带型,无明显差异     

Extraction and partial characterization of non-histone nuclear proteins of Schistosoma mansoni.

A pool of nuclear proteins from adult worms of Schistosoma mansoni was analyzed for amino acid composition and found to be compatible with high mobility group (HMG) proteins. One of the schistosome HMG proteins was identified as HMG 2 by one-dimensional and two-dimensional PAGE. Stage-specific differences in the HMG-like protein composition were encountered when adult worms were compared to schistosomula, the larval form. Immobilization of the adult male and female nuclear proteins onto nitrocellulose, followed by hybridization against 32P-F-10, a schistosome sex specific gene encoding a major egg shell protein, revealed distinct banding patterns. On the other hand, a synthetic oligonucleotide, derived from the 3' untranslated end of the F-10 gene and possibly containing one regulatory element of the gene, bound mainly to male low MW proteins.     

DNA condensation by multivalent cations

In the presence of multivalent cations, high molecular weight DNA undergoes a dramatic condensation to a compact, usually highly ordered toroidal structure. This review begins with an overview of DNA condensation : condensing agents, morphology, kinetics, and reversibility, and the minimum size required to form orderly condensates. It then summarizes the statistical mechanics of the collapse of stiff polymers, which shows why DNA condensation is abrupt and why toroids are favored structures. Various ways to estimate or measure intermolecular forces in DNA condensation are discussed, all of them agreeing that the free energy change per base pair is very small, on the order of 1% of thermal energy. Experimental evidence is surveyed showing that DNA condensation occurs when about 90% of its charge is neutralized by counterions. The various intermolecular forces whose interplay gives rise to DNA condensation are then reviewed. The entropy loss upon collapse of the expanded wormlike coil costs free energy, and stiffness sets limits on tight curvature. However, the dominant contributions seem to come from ions and water. Electrostatic repulsions must be overcome by high salt concentrations or by the correlated fluctuations of territorially bound multivalent cations. Hydration must be adjusted to allow a cooperative accommodation of the water structure surrounding surface groups on the DNA helices as they approach. Undulations of the DNA in its confined surroundings extend the range of the electrostatic forces. The condensing ions may also subtly modify the local structure of the double helix. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopoly 44: 269–282, 1997     

Epitopes rationally selected through computational analyses induce T‐cell proliferation in mice and are recognized by serum from individuals infected with Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosomiasis is the second leading cause of death due to parasitic diseases in the world. Seeking an alternative for the control of disease, the World Health Organization funded the genome sequencing of the major species related to schistosomiasis to identify potential vaccines and therapeutic targets. Therefore, the aim of this work was to select T and B‐cell epitopes from Schistosoma mansoni through computational analyses and evaluate the immunological potential of epitopes in vitro. Extracellular regions of membrane proteins from the Schistosoma mansoni were used to predict promiscuous epitopes with affinity to different human Major Histocompatibility Class II (MHCII) molecules by bioinformatics analysis. The three‐dimensional structure of selected epitopes was constructed and used in molecular docking to verify the interaction with murine MHCII H2‐IA^b. In this process, four epitopes were selected and synthesized to assess their ability to stimulate proliferation of CD4⁺ T lymphocytes in mice splenocyte cultures. The results showed that Sm041370 and Sm168240 epitopes induced significant cell proliferation. Additionally, the four epitopes were used as antigens in the Indirect Enzyme‐Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to assess the recognition by serum from individuals infected with Schistosoma mansoni. Sm140560, Sm168240, and Sm041370 epitopes were recognized by infected individuals IgG antibodies. Therefore, Sm041370 and Sm168240 epitopes that stood out in in silico and in vitro analyses could be promising antigens in schistosomiasis vaccine development or diagnostic kits. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:804–814, 2017     

Protective and Anti-Pathology Effects of Sm Fructose-1,6-Bisphosphate Aldolase-Based DNA Vaccine against Schistosoma mansoni by Changing Route of Injection

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of fructose-1,6-bis phosphate aldolase (SMALDO) DNA vaccination against Schistosoma mansoni infection using different routes of injection. The SMALDO has been cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1/V5-His TOPO-TA and was used in injecting Swiss albino mice intramuscularly (IM), subcutaneously (SC), or intraperitoneally (IP) (50 µg/mouse). Mice vaccinated with non-recombinant pcDNA3.1 served as controls. Each group was immunized 4 times at weeks 0, 2, 4, and 6. Two weeks after the last booster dose, all mice groups were infected with 80 S. mansoni cercariae via tail immersion. At week 8 post-infection, animals were sacrificed for assessment of parasitological and histopathological parameters. High anti-SMALDO IgG antibody titers were detected in sera of all vaccinated groups (P<0.01) compared to the control group. Both the IP and SC vaccination routes resulted in a significant reduction in worm burden (46.2% and 28.9%, respectively, P<0.01). This was accompanied by a significant reduction in hepatic and intestinal egg counts (41.7% and 40.2%, respectively, P<0.01) in the IP group only. The number of dead eggs was significantly increased in both IP and IM groups (P<0.01). IP vaccination recorded the highest significant reduction in granuloma number and diameter (54.7% and 29.2%, respectively, P<0.01) and significant increase in dead miracidia (P<0.01). In conclusion, changing the injection route of SMALDO DNA vaccination significantly influenced the efficacy of vaccination. SMALDO DNA vaccination via IP route could be a promising protective and anti-pathology vaccine candidate against S. mansoni infection.     

Immunization of mice with cells from juvenile worms of Schistosoma japonicum provides immunoprotection against schistosomiasis

To validate the protective efficacy against schistosomiasis by immunization with cells from juvenile Schistosoma japonicum in a murine model and to analyze possible factors related to protection, in this study, two independent repeated vaccination trials were performed. After three subcutaneous vaccina- tions, in trial one, in the absence of adjuvant, primary juvenile worm cells (pJCs) from S. japonicum induced remarkable average reductions in worm burden (54.3%), liver eggs per gram (LEPG) load (59.8%) as well as egg granulomas size (66.5%) compared to PBS control group (P<0.01), which were significantly higher than those elicited by fractions of juvenile worm cells (JCFs) or fractions of juvenile worms (JWFs) (P<0.05). Non-cell components of worms (WNCs) showed no significant protection. In trial two, compared to PBS control group, significant protective effect was also observed for cultured juvenile worm cells (cJCs) from S. japonicum with 58.4% worm reduction and 68.1% LEPG reduction (P<0.01). However, cultured adult worms cells (cACs) showed significantly higher worm burden (P<0.05) and egg burden (P<0.01) when compared to cJCs. Immunological analysis of trial two revealed that cJCs engendered a Th1-biased mixed Th1/Th2 type of immune response while cACs elicited a Th2-type response. Our data indicated that immunization with both primary and cultured cells from S. japonicum juvenile worms provided high immunoprotection, for which the physical character of immunogens, stage-specific parasite and the type of immune response induced might be responsible, suggesting that vaccination with whole cells from S. japonicum larvae is a promising approach to produce protec- tive immunity against schistosomiasis.     

Populational structure of Schistosoma mansoni assessed by DNA microsatellites

DNA microsatellites were used as molecular markers to analyse the population structure of the laboratory LE strain and of 10 field isolates of Schistosoma mansoni, the aetiologic agent of schistosomiasis. Out of 16,000 DNA sequences analysed in databases, 622 microsatellite loci were identified in 481 sequences (3.0%). The AT repetitions were the most frequent, followed by AAT and AC. Six loci showing perfect repetitions were selected and used in the polymerase chain reaction to evaluate polymorphisms in the number of repeats. Two groups of worms were studied. The first group consisted of 78 individuals, 39 of each sex, of the LE strain. The second group of worms consisted of 10 field isolates: seven from humans and three from snails. Four of the six loci were polymorphic, containing 11-17 alleles per locus. No linkage disequilibrium was observed among loci and none of the loci was sex linked. In both groups of worms, a significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed. The observed heterozygosity was always lower than the expected one. The polymerase chain reaction primers were S. mansoni specific. The LE strain showed a lower total number of alleles or a lower average number of alleles/polymorphic locus than the field isolates, suggesting that 41 years of laboratory maintenance exerted selective pressure on the LE strain. The S. mansoni populations from the field were most genetically undifferentiated (R(ST)<0.027), suggesting a high gene flow among them. Our results showed the usefulness of microsatellites for population analysis of S. mansoni, offering a new alternative for a better understanding of schistosomiasis epidemiology.     

针对结核分枝杆菌潜伏感染的DNA疫苗V569免疫原性及保护性的初步研究

为研究针对结核分枝杆菌潜伏感染的DNA疫苗,基于质粒A39构建了p-VAX1-Ag85B-Rv3425-Rv2029c-PPE26 (V569)质粒DNA,并对其免疫原性及保护性进行初步研究。免疫性评价试验共分6组：PBS、p-VAX1-Ag85B(A)、p-VAX1-Ag85B-Rv3425(A3)、A39、V569和BCG,采用左后腿肌内注射C57BL/6小鼠,用流式细胞术和酶联免疫吸附试验(enzyme linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)分别检测细胞免疫和体液免疫水平;构建斑马鱼-海分枝杆菌潜伏感染模型,将PBS、A、A3、A39、BCG、V569分别通过腹腔注射免疫斑马鱼后,每日注射地塞米松10ug诱导海分枝杆菌复发感染,对斑马鱼肝脏进行菌落计数并绘制生存曲线。结果显示,与BCG组相比,V569能引发实验小鼠强烈的细胞免疫反应(IFN-γ高水平分泌),外周血CD4^＋/CD8^＋ T细胞比例明显增加。在斑马鱼-海分枝杆菌潜伏感染复发模型中,与BCG 免疫组相比,V569免疫斑马鱼后可显著减少其肝脏中海分枝杆菌数量,斑马鱼存活情况得到显著改善,表明V569 DNA疫苗可能是一种抗结核潜伏感染的候选DNA疫苗。     

Mechanisms of resistance to S. mansoni infection: the rat model

Human schistosomiasis is associated with IgE and eosinophilia, feature of a type 2 response. In experimental investigations, murine model has been widely used in order to dissect the immune responses involved in the expression of protective immunity or disease in Schistosoma mansoni infection. Collectively, observations made in this model and in humans demonstrated a strong contrast since a Th2 response in infected mice is involved in the expression of pathology, however, in infected humans the same type of response is rather beneficial for the host. This review will consider the relevance of extrapolating studies of immune responses from experimentally infected rats a semi-permissive host, to studies on S. mansoni infected humans.