Characterization of a profilin-like protein from Schistosoma japonicum, a potential new vaccine candidate

Abstract

The tegumental membrane of platyhelminth parasites is of crucial importance for modulation of the host response and parasite survival. A complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) containing an open reading frame of 390 bp, which encodes a profilin-like tegumental protein with a theoretical isoelectric point of 6.02 and a molecular weight of 14.42 kDa, had been identified by bioinformatic analysis. The coding region of the cDNA was cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-4T-1 and expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified recombinant protein named rSj15 was immunogenic and could elicit a high titer of antibody in mice. Western blot analysis revealed that the protein was differentially expressed during the different growth stages of Schistosoma japonicum. Immunohistochemical analysis localized the protein to the tegument and underlying tissue of the S. japonicum adult worm. The rSj15 could induce the expressions of IL-12 in the cultured mouse dendritic cell.

Characterization of a profilin-like protein from Fasciola hepatica

“…The lack of FhProfilin-specific antibodies from exposed animals is unexpected as profilin from other parasites such Babesia spp. (Munkhjargal et al, 2016) and Schistosoma japonicum do elicit an immune response post infection (Zhang et al, 2008). Further the use of electron microscopy to perform ultrastructural studies to determine where within the tegument FhProfilin is located and whether this protein is exposed to the host immune system would help to assess the validity of FhProfilin as a vaccine candidate.…”

Potency of detergents in enhancing Schistosoma mansoni tegumental antigens

“…Schistosomes are covered by a living syncytium, called the tegument, which plays an important role in nutrient uptake and immune evasion [2]. Surface proteins of schistosomes are exposed to host tissues and thus present potential candidate molecules for the development of new intervention strategies [3].…”

A Schistosomiasis Model with Diffusion Effects

“…In this section, in order to understand our results more intuitively, some numerical simulations of system (6) In Figure 1, we show the relationship between the threshold 0 R and adult parasites 1 2 P P + for the mathematical model (6). It is easy to see that 0 1 R = is a bifurcation point, and the adult parasites 1 2 P P + are stable eventually, when the threshold 0 R increases.…”

“…It refers to the expected number of secondary infections during the entire period of infectiousness in a completely susceptible population [25]. Following the idea in [26], we give the basic reproductive number for system (6). Rewrite system (6) as following form:…”

“…Despite major advances in its control that have lead to substantial decreases in morbidity and mortality, schistosomiasis continues to spread to new geographic areas [5]. Although significant progress has been made in chemotherapy with safer and more effective drugs, these cannot prevent the high reinfection rates of schistosomes, and there have been dramatic recurrences in both its prevalence and associated morbidity [6].…”