T Cell Peptides Derived from Invasive Stages of Schistosoma mansoni as Potential Schistosomiasis Vaccine

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease that affects 143 million people in endemic countries. This work analyzed overexpressed sequences from the cercaria phase to the early schistosomulum phase using bioinformatics tools to predict host interaction and selected proteins for predicting T cell epitopes. The final peptides were chemically synthesized, and their toxicity was evaluated in vitro. Peptides were formulated in the Adjuvant Adaptation (ADAD) vaccination system and injected into BALB/c mice that were challenged with S. mansoni cercariae to assess protection and immunogenicity. A total of 39 highly expressed S.mansoni proteins were identified as being of potential interest. Three T cell peptides predicted to bind MHC mouse and human class II were synthesized and formulated for vaccination. SmGSP and SmIKE reduced the number of eggs trapped in the liver by more than 50% in challenged BALB/c mice. The liver of mice vaccinated with either SmGSP or SmTNP had a significantly reduced affected liver surface. Transcriptome-based T cell peptides elicit partial protection and could be candidates for a multiantigen vaccine.

Circulating cell-free DNA as a biomarker for diagnosis of Schistosomiasis japonica

“…S. mansoni and S. japonicum cause intestinal and hepatic schistosomiasis, while S. haematobium causes urogenital schistosomiasis [ 3 , 4 ]. After exposure to the cercariae of schistosome, there is acute schistosomiasis syndrome including fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, and malaise [ 5 ]. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the preferred drug, which is efficient against adult worms but is inactive against other stages of schistosomes, such as schistosomula and eggs [ 6 ].…”