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Dong B, Zhong H, Zhu D, Wu L, Wang J, Li H, Jin Y. Antibody Responses and the Vaccine Efficacy of Recombinant Glycosyltransferase and Nicastrin Against Schistosoma japonicum. Pathogens 2025; 14:70. [PMID: 39861031 PMCID: PMC11768875 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens14010070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2024] [Revised: 01/10/2025] [Accepted: 01/13/2025] [Indexed: 01/27/2025] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease and the second most common parasitic disease after malaria. While praziquantel remains the primary treatment, concerns about drug resistance highlight the urgent need for new drugs and effective vaccines to achieve sustainable control. Previous proteomic studies from our group revealed that the expression of Schistosoma japonicum glycosyltransferase and nicastrin as proteins was higher in single-sex males than mated males, suggesting their critical roles in parasite reproduction and their potential as vaccine candidates. In this study, bioinformatic tools were employed to analyze the structural and functional properties of these proteins, including their signal peptide regions, transmembrane domains, tertiary structures, and protein interaction networks. Recombinant forms of glycosyltransferase and nicastrin were expressed and purified, followed by immunization experiments in BALB/c mice. Immunized mice exhibited significantly elevated specific IgG antibody levels after three immunizations compared to adjuvant and PBS controls. Furthermore, immunization with recombinant glycosyltransferase and nicastrin significantly reduced the reproductive capacity of female worms and liver egg burden, though egg hatchability and adult worm survival were unaffected. These findings demonstrate that recombinant glycosyltransferase and nicastrin are immunogenic and reduce female worm fecundity, supporting their potential as vaccine candidates against schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Dong
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China; (B.D.); (H.Z.); (D.Z.); (H.L.)
| | - Haoran Zhong
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China; (B.D.); (H.Z.); (D.Z.); (H.L.)
| | - Danlin Zhu
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China; (B.D.); (H.Z.); (D.Z.); (H.L.)
| | - Luobin Wu
- College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China;
| | - Jinming Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China;
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Gansu Province Research Center for Basic Disciplines of Pathogen Biology, Lanzhou 730046, China
| | - Hao Li
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China; (B.D.); (H.Z.); (D.Z.); (H.L.)
| | - Yamei Jin
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, China; (B.D.); (H.Z.); (D.Z.); (H.L.)
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Wu L, Li L, Yin X, Li C, Xin W, Liu L, Hua Z. A SARS-CoV-2 oral vaccine development strategy based on the attenuated Salmonella type III secretion system. J Appl Microbiol 2022; 133:2484-2500. [PMID: 35858677 PMCID: PMC9350170 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS This study aimed to provide a safe, stable and efficient SARS-CoV-2 oral vaccine development strategy based on the type III secretion system of attenuated Salmonella and a reference for the development of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. METHODS AND RESULTS The attenuated Salmonella mutant ΔhtrA-VNP was used as a vector to secrete the antigen SARS-CoV-2 based on the type III secretion system (T3SS). The Salmonella pathogenicity island 2 (SPI-2)-encoded T3SS promoter (sifB) was screened to express heterologous antigens (RBD, NTD, S2), and the SPI-2-encoded secretion system (sseJ) was employed to secrete this molecule (psifB-sseJ-antigen, abbreviated BJ-antigen). Both immunoblotting and fluorescence microscopy revealed effective expression and secretion of the antigen into the cytosol of macrophages in vitro. The mixture of the three strains (BJ-RBD/NTD/S2, named AisVax) elicited a marked increase in the induction of IgA or IgG S-protein Abs after oral gavage, intraperitoneal and subcutaneous administration. Flow cytometric analysis proved that AisVax caused T-cell activation, as shown by a significant increase in CD44 and CD69 expression. Significant production of IgA or IgG N-protein Abs was also detected by using psifB-sseJ-N(FL), indicating the universality of this strategy. CONCLUSIONS Delivery of multiple SARS-CoV-2 antigens using the type III secretion system of attenuated Salmonella ΔhtrA-VNP is a potential COVID-19 vaccine strategy. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY The attenuated Salmonella strain ΔhtrA-VNP showed excellent performance as a vaccine vector. The Salmonella SPI-2-encoded T3SS showed highly efficient delivery of SARS-COV-2 antigens. Anti-loss elements integrated into the plasmid stabilized the phenotype of the vaccine strain. Mixed administration of antigen-expressing strains improved antibody induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leyang Wu
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life SciencesNanjing UniversityNanjingJiangsuChina
- Changzhou High‐Tech Research Institute of Nanjing University and Jiangsu TargetPharma Laboratories Inc.ChangzhouJiangsuChina
| | - Lin Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life SciencesNanjing UniversityNanjingJiangsuChina
| | - Xingpeng Yin
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life SciencesNanjing UniversityNanjingJiangsuChina
| | - Chenyang Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life SciencesNanjing UniversityNanjingJiangsuChina
| | - Wenjie Xin
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life SciencesNanjing UniversityNanjingJiangsuChina
| | - Lina Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life SciencesNanjing UniversityNanjingJiangsuChina
| | - Zichun Hua
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life SciencesNanjing UniversityNanjingJiangsuChina
- Changzhou High‐Tech Research Institute of Nanjing University and Jiangsu TargetPharma Laboratories Inc.ChangzhouJiangsuChina
- School of BiopharmacyChina Pharmaceutical UniversityNanjingJiangsuChina
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Vaccines for Human Schistosomiasis: Recent Progress, New Developments and Future Prospects. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042255. [PMID: 35216369 PMCID: PMC8879820 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, caused by human trematode blood flukes (schistosomes), remains one of the most prevalent and serious of the neglected tropical parasitic diseases. Currently, treatment of schistosomiasis relies solely on a single drug, the anthelmintic praziquantel, and with increased usage in mass drug administration control programs for the disease, the specter of drug resistance developing is a constant threat. Vaccination is recognized as one of the most sustainable options for the control of any pathogen, but despite the discovery and reporting of numerous potentially promising schistosome vaccine antigens, to date, no schistosomiasis vaccine for human or animal deployment is available. This is despite the fact that Science ranked such an intervention as one of the top 10 vaccines that need to be urgently developed to improve public health globally. This review summarizes current progress of schistosomiasis vaccines under clinical development and advocates the urgent need for the establishment of a revolutionary and effective anti-schistosome vaccine pipeline utilizing cutting-edge technologies (including developing mRNA vaccines and exploiting CRISPR-based technologies) to provide novel insight into future vaccine discovery, design, manufacture and deployment.
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Panzner U, Excler JL, Kim JH, Marks F, Carter D, Siddiqui AA. Recent Advances and Methodological Considerations on Vaccine Candidates for Human Schistosomiasis. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2021; 2:719369. [PMID: 39280170 PMCID: PMC11392908 DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2021.719369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis remains a neglected tropical disease of major public health concern with high levels of morbidity in various parts of the world. Although considerable efforts in implementing mass drug administration programs utilizing praziquantel have been deployed, schistosomiasis is still not contained. A vaccine may therefore be an essential part of multifaceted prevention control efforts. In the 1990s, a joint United Nations committee promoting parasite vaccines shortlisted promising candidates including for schistosomiasis discussed below. After examining the complexity of immune responses in human hosts infected with schistosomes, we review and discuss the antigen design and preclinical and clinical development of the four leading vaccine candidates: Sm-TSP-2 in Phase 1b/2b, Sm14 in Phase 2a/2b, Sm-p80 in Phase 1 preparation, and Sh28GST in Phase 3. Our assessment of currently leading vaccine candidates revealed some methodological issues that preclude a fair comparison between candidates and the rationale to advance in clinical development. These include (1) variability in animal models - in particular non-human primate studies - and predictive values of each for protection in humans; (2) lack of consensus on the assessment of parasitological and immunological parameters; (3) absence of reliable surrogate markers of protection; (4) lack of well-designed parasitological and immunological natural history studies in the context of mass drug administration with praziquantel. The controlled human infection model - while promising and unique - requires validation against efficacy outcomes in endemic settings. Further research is also needed on the impact of advanced adjuvants targeting specific parts of the innate immune system that may induce potent, protective and durable immune responses with the ultimate goal of achieving meaningful worm reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ursula Panzner
- International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, South Korea
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Florian Marks
- International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, South Korea
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- University of Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | - Afzal A. Siddiqui
- Center for Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
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Abdel-Hakeem SS, Abdel-Samiee MA, Abed GH. An Insight into the Potential Parasitological Effect of Schistosoma mansoni Antigens in Infected Mice: Prophylactic Role of Cercarial Antigen. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2020; 26:708-716. [PMID: 32624059 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927620001695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a multifactorial disease that includes environmental, behavioral, parasitic, vector, and host factors. This study aimed to assess the protective effect of single and polyvalent antigens from cercarial antigen preparations (CAPs), soluble worm antigen preparations (SWAPs), and soluble egg antigens (SEAs) which were used as candidate vaccines in an experimental model of Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice. The efficiency of the antigens was tested by determining their effects on fecal egg count, egg viability analysis, and tissue egg counts. Histological and morphometric analyses of granulomas in liver and intestine tissues were performed. In the present study, all immunized groups showed a significant reduction in the average fecal egg count and tissue egg load compared with infected mice. The most substantial reduction in fecal egg count was observed in the combined vaccinated group (23.23 ± 3.2). The group vaccinated with CAP before infection showed the highest reduction in tissue egg load (liver and intestine: 85.22 and 91.70%, respectively). Immunized animals showed a highly significant reduction in the numbers of hepatic granulomas compared with the infected non-immunized group. In conclusion, combining these different antigens (CAP, SWAP, and SEA) augments the protective immunity compared with other immunized groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara S Abdel-Hakeem
- Parasitology Lab., Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut71516, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud A Abdel-Samiee
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Gamal H Abed
- Parasitology Lab., Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut71516, Egypt
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Lei N, Liu FC, Ren CP, Shen JJ, Liu M. An Efficient Schistosoma japonicum Bivalent Membrane Protein Antigen DNA Vaccine Against Schistosomiasis in Mice. Med Sci Monit 2019; 25:9319-9326. [PMID: 31811711 PMCID: PMC6916134 DOI: 10.12659/msm.919195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis is one of the most important infectious parasitic diseases in the world. The most important was to control schistosomiasis is through a combination of medical therapy and immunization. The membrane antigens Tsp2 and 29 from Schistosoma are promising anti-schistosomiasis vaccine candidates. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this study, the pcDNA3.1(+)-SjTsp2, pcDNA3.1(+)-Sj29, and pcDNA3.1 (+)-SjTsp2-29 eukaryotic expression vectors were successfully constructed as DNA vaccines, and the protective abilities of these vaccines were evaluated in mice. RESULTS The results showed that vaccination with SjTsp2, Sj29, and SjTsp2-29 reduced parasite burden and hepatic pathology compared to the control group, and the protective effect of the bivalent SjTsp2-29 DNA vaccine was better than that of the univalent SjTsp2 or Sj29 DNA vaccines. We also found high levels of IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a against SjTsp2, Sj29, and SjTsp2-29 DNA vaccines, with high expression of IFN-γ and no IL-4 in the mice. CONCLUSIONS The double-membrane antigen DNA vaccine SjTsp2-29 elicited protection against Schistosoma infection and might serve as a vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Lei
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
- Department of Physiology, Anhui Medical College, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Feng-Chun Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Cui-Ping Ren
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Ji-Jia Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Miao Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Key Laboratory of Zoonoses, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
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Alves CC, Araujo N, Bernardes WPDOS, Mendes MM, Oliveira SC, Fonseca CT. A Strong Humoral Immune Response Induced by a Vaccine Formulation Containing rSm29 Adsorbed to Alum Is Associated With Protection Against Schistosoma mansoni Reinfection in Mice. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2488. [PMID: 30450095 PMCID: PMC6224358 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The helminth Schistosoma mansoni is one of main causes of human schistosomiasis, a health and economic concern in some of the world's poorest countries. Current treatment regimens can lead to serious side effects and are not suitable for breastfeeding mothers. As such, efforts have been undertaken to develop a vaccine to prevent infection. Of these, Sm29 is a promising candidate that has been associated with resistance to infection/reinfection in humans and mice. Its ability to induce resistance to reinfection has also been recently demonstrated using a vaccine formulation containing Freund's adjuvant. However, Freund's adjuvant is unsuitable for use in human vaccines. We therefore evaluated the ability of Sm29 to induce protection against S. mansoni reinfection when formulated with either alum or MPLA as an adjuvant, both approved for human use. Our data demonstrate that, in contrast to Sm29 with MPLA, Sm29 with alum reduced parasite burden after reinfection compared to a control. We next investigated whether the immune response was involved in creating the differences between the protective (Sm29Alum) and non-protective (Sm29MPLA) vaccine formulations. We observed that both formulations induced a similar mixed-profile immune response, however, the Sm29 with alum formulation raised the levels of antibodies against Sm29. This suggests that there is an association between a reduction in worm burden and parasite-specific antibodies. In summary, our data show that Sm29 with an alum adjuvant can successfully protect against S. mansoni reinfection in mice, indicating a potentially effective vaccine formulation that could be applied in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarice Carvalho Alves
- Laboratório de Biologia e Imunologia de Doenças Infeciosas e Parasitárias, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Neusa Araujo
- Laboratório de Esquistossomose, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Mariana Moreira Mendes
- Laboratório de Biologia e Imunologia de Doenças Infeciosas e Parasitárias, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Sergio Costa Oliveira
- Laboratório de Imunologia de doenças Infeciosas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciências e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais, CNPq, MCT, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Cristina Toscano Fonseca
- Laboratório de Biologia e Imunologia de Doenças Infeciosas e Parasitárias, Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Mariz Gomes da Silva LM, de Oliveira JF, Silva WL, da Silva AL, de Almeida Junior ASA, Barbosa dos Santos VH, Alves LC, Brayner dos Santos FA, Costa VMA, Aires ADL, de Lima MDCA, Albuquerque MCPDA. New 1,3-benzodioxole derivatives: Synthesis, evaluation of in vitro schistosomicidal activity and ultrastructural analysis. Chem Biol Interact 2018; 283:20-29. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2018.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 12/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Mekonnen GG, Pearson M, Loukas A, Sotillo J. Extracellular vesicles from parasitic helminths and their potential utility as vaccines. Expert Rev Vaccines 2018; 17:197-205. [PMID: 29353519 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2018.1431125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Helminths are multicellular parasites affecting nearly three billion people worldwide. To orchestrate a parasitic existence, helminths secrete different molecules, either in soluble form or contained within extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are secreted by most cell types and organisms, and have varied roles in intercellular communication, including immune modulation and pathogenesis. AREAS COVERED In this review, we describe the nucleic acid and proteomic composition of EVs from helminths, with a focus on the protein vaccine candidates present on the EV surface membrane, and discuss the potential utility of helminth EVs and their constituent proteins in the fight against helminth infections. EXPERT COMMENTARY A significant number of proteins present in helminth-secreted EVs are known vaccine candidates. The characterization of helminth EV proteomes will shed light on host-pathogen interactions, facilitate the discovery of new diagnostic biomarkers, and provide a novel approach for the development of new control measures against helminth infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gebeyaw Getnet Mekonnen
- a Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine , James Cook University , Cairns , Australia.,b Department of Medical Parasitology , School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar , Gondar , Ethiopia
| | - Mark Pearson
- a Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine , James Cook University , Cairns , Australia
| | - Alex Loukas
- a Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine , James Cook University , Cairns , Australia
| | - Javier Sotillo
- a Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine , James Cook University , Cairns , Australia
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Damasceno L, Ritter G, Batt CA. Process development for production and purification of the Schistosoma mansoni Sm14 antigen. Protein Expr Purif 2017; 134:72-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Tebeje BM, Harvie M, You H, Loukas A, McManus DP. Schistosomiasis vaccines: where do we stand? Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:528. [PMID: 27716365 PMCID: PMC5045607 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1799-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, caused mainly by S. mansoni, S. haematobium and S. japonicum, continues to be a serious tropical disease and public health problem resulting in an unacceptably high level of morbidity in countries where it is endemic. Praziquantel, the only drug currently available for treatment, is unable to kill developing schistosomes, it does not prevent re-infection and its continued extensive use may result in the future emergence of drug-resistant parasites. This scenario provides impetus for the development and deployment of anti-schistosome vaccines to be used as part of an integrated approach for the prevention, control and eventual elimination of schistosomiasis. This review considers the present status of candidate vaccines for schistosomiasis, and provides some insight on future vaccine discovery and design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biniam Mathewos Tebeje
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia. .,School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. .,Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
| | - Marina Harvie
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Hong You
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Alex Loukas
- Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
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Molehin AJ, Rojo JU, Siddiqui SZ, Gray SA, Carter D, Siddiqui AA. Development of a schistosomiasis vaccine. Expert Rev Vaccines 2016; 15:619-27. [PMID: 26651503 PMCID: PMC5070536 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2016.1131127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) of public health importance. Despite decades of implementation of mass praziquantel therapy programs and other control measures, schistosomiasis has not been contained and continues to spread to new geographic areas. A schistosomiasis vaccine could play an important role as part of a multifaceted control approach. With regards to vaccine development, many biological bottlenecks still exist: the lack of reliable surrogates of protection in humans; immune interactions in co-infections with other diseases in endemic areas; the potential risk of IgE responses to antigens in endemic populations; and paucity of appropriate vaccine efficacy studies in nonhuman primate models. Research is also needed on the role of modern adjuvants targeting specific parts of the innate immune system to tailor a potent and protective immune response for lead schistosome vaccine candidates with the long-term aim to achieve curative worm reduction. This review summarizes the current status of schistosomiasis vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adebayo J. Molehin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Juan U. Rojo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Sabrina Z. Siddiqui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | | | - Darrick Carter
- PAI Life Sciences, Washington, USA
- Infectious Disease Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Afzal A. Siddiqui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Texas Tech University School of Medicine, Lubbock, Texas, USA
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Wilson RA, Li XH, Castro-Borges W. Do schistosome vaccine trials in mice have an intrinsic flaw that generates spurious protection data? Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:89. [PMID: 26888413 PMCID: PMC4756456 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1369-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The laboratory mouse has been widely used to test the efficacy of schistosome vaccines and a long list of candidates has emerged from this work, many of them abundant internal proteins. These antigens do not have an additive effect when co-administered, or delivered as SWAP homogenate, a quarter of which comprises multiple candidates; the observed protection has an apparent ceiling of 40-50%. We contend that the low level of maturation of penetrating cercariae (~32% for Schistosoma mansoni) is a major limitation of the model since 68/100 parasites fail to mature in naïve mice due to natural causes. The pulmonary capillary bed is the obstacle encountered by schistosomula en route to the portal system. The fragility of pulmonary capillaries and their susceptibility to a cytokine-induced vascular leak syndrome have been documented. During lung transit schistosomula burst into the alveolar spaces, and possess only a limited capacity to re-enter tissues. The acquired immunity elicited by the radiation-attenuated (RA) cercarial vaccine relies on a pulmonary inflammatory response, involving cytokines such as IFNγ and TNFα, to deflect additional parasites into the alveoli. A principal difference between antigen vaccine protocols and the RA vaccine is the short interval between the last antigen boost and cercarial challenge of mice (often two weeks). Thus, after antigen vaccination, challenge parasites will reach the lungs when both activated T cells and cytokine levels are maximal in the circulation. We propose that "protection" in this situation is the result of physiological effects on the pulmonary blood vessels, increasing the proportion of parasites that enter the alveoli. This hypothesis will explain why internal antigens, which are unlikely to interact with the immune response in a living schistosomulum, plus a variety of heterologous proteins, can reduce the level of maturation in a non-antigen-specific way. These proteins are "successful" precisely because they have not been selected for immunological silence. The same arguments apply to vaccine experiments with S. japonicum in the mouse model; this schistosome species seems a more robust parasite, even harder to eliminate by acquired immune responses. We propose a number of ways in which our conclusions may be tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Alan Wilson
- Centre for Immunology and Infection, Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Xiao-Hong Li
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China.
| | - William Castro-Borges
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Campus Morro do Cruzeiro, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brasil.
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Protective capacity of cercarial transformation fluid alone or in combination with crude cercarial antigen against challenge infections of Schistosoma mansoni in mice. J Helminthol 2016; 91:35-42. [PMID: 26817577 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x1600002x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is the second major parasitic disease in the world after malaria. It affects 201.5 million cases in Africa alone. The aim of this research was to explore alternative vaccination strategies against experimental schistosomiasis mansoni. We assessed the effect of cercarial transformation fluid (CTF) singly and in combination with crude cercarial antigen (CCA) using alum as an adjuvant. The combined antigens gave the best results, as evidenced by a significant reduction in the worm load (62.07%), tissue egg count (78.16%, 86.46%) in liver and intestine respectively, and hepatic granuloma size (29.96%). Scanning electron microscopy revealed changes in the tegument, in the form of roughness and appearance of vesicles and furrows between the tegumental tubercles. Also, resorption of the ventral sucker and dimples replacing its spines were observed. The female tegument was irregular and its posterior end showed loss of spines and sensory bulbs. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in liver enzymes (alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST)) compared to infected control mice. A significant elevation in CD4+T-lymphocytes, denoting amelioration of the immune status, in mice that received combined antigens was also observed. It can be concluded that combined antigens demonstrate potential as a vaccine against Schistosoma mansoni.
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Fusion protein comprised of the two schistosomal antigens, Sm14 and Sm29, provides significant protection against Schistosoma mansoni in murine infection model. BMC Infect Dis 2015; 15:147. [PMID: 25887456 PMCID: PMC4389862 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-015-0906-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 03/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosoma mansoni infection represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality in many areas of the developing world. Effective vaccines against schistosomiasis are not available and disease management relies mainly on treatment with the anthelmintic drug praziquantel. Several promising schistosomal antigens have been evaluated for vaccine efficacy such as Sm14, Sm29 and tetraspanins. However, most investigators examine these promising antigens in animal models individually rather than in properly adjuvanted antigen combinations. METHODS In the present study, we made a recombinant fusion protein comprised of the promising schistosomal antigens Sm14 and Sm29. The fusion protein, FSm14/29, was administered to Swiss albino mice either unadjuvanted or adjuvanted with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid adjuvant, poly(I:C). Mice were challenged with S. mansoni cercariae and different parasitological/immunological parameters were assessed seven weeks post-challenge. Data were analyzed using the ANOVA test with post-hoc Tukey-Kramer test. RESULTS Mice pre-immunized with unadjuvanted or poly(I:C)-adjuvanted fusion protein showed reduction of adult worm burden of 44.7 and 48.4%, respectively. In addition, significant reduction of tissue egg burdens was observed in mice immunized with the fusion protein when compared with the infected saline/adjuvant negative control groups and groups immunized with the individual Sm14 and Sm29 antigens. Light microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) investigation of adult worms recovered from FSm14/29-immunized mice revealed appreciable morphological damage and tegumental deformities. Histopathological examination of liver sections of immunized mice demonstrated reduced granulomatous and inflammatory reactions when compared with infected unvaccinated mice or mice immunized with the individual Sm14 and Sm29 antigens. CONCLUSION The findings presented in this study highlight the importance of the fusion protein FSm14/29 as a potential vaccine candidate that is worthy of further investigation.
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Fonseca CT, Oliveira SC, Alves CC. Eliminating Schistosomes through Vaccination: What are the Best Immune Weapons? Front Immunol 2015; 6:95. [PMID: 25806033 PMCID: PMC4353369 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Accepted: 02/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The successful development of vaccines depends on the knowledge of the immunological mechanisms associated with the elimination of the pathogen. In the case of schistosomes, its complex life cycle and the mechanisms developed to evade host immune system, turns the development of a vaccine against the disease into a very difficult task. Identifying the immunological effector mechanisms involved in parasite attrition and the major targets for its response is a key step to formulate an effective vaccine. Recent studies have described some promising antigens to compose a subunit vaccine and have pointed to some immune factors that play a role in parasite elimination. Here, we review the immune components and effector mechanisms associated with the protective immunity induced by those vaccine candidates and the lessons we have learned from the studies of the acquired resistance to infection in humans. We will also discuss the immune factors that correlate with protection and therefore could help to evaluate those vaccine formulations in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Toscano Fonseca
- Laboratório de Esquistossomose do Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz , Belo Horizonte , Brazil ; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais (INCT-DT), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Ministério de Ciência Tecnologia e Inovação, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , Brazil
| | - Sergio Costa Oliveira
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Doenças Tropicais (INCT-DT), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Ministério de Ciência Tecnologia e Inovação, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , Brazil ; Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia do Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Belo Horizonte , Brazil
| | - Clarice Carvalho Alves
- Laboratório de Esquistossomose do Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz , Belo Horizonte , Brazil
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