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

Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters volume 11, pages 449–460 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

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.

Abbreviations

FABP:

fatty acid binding protein

SEA:

soluble egg antigen

Sj:

Schistosoma japonicum

SOE:

splicing by overlapping extension

SWAP:

soluble adult worm antigens

WHO:

world health organization

23:

23 kDa membrane protein

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Life school, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Luoyu Road 1037, Wuhan, 430074, PR China

    Chunyan Li, Longjiang Yu, Zhi Liu, Min Zhu & Sijin Meng

  2. Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan, 430030, PR China

    Yuan Hu, Xiaohua Zhu & Youen Shi

  3. Department of Sports Kinetics, Wuhan Institute of Physical Education, Luoyu Road 461, Wuhan, 430079, PR China

    Chunyan Li & Sijin Meng

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  1. Chunyan Li
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  2. Longjiang Yu
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  3. Zhi Liu
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  4. Lu Zhu
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  5. Yuan Hu
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  6. Min Zhu
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Correspondence to Longjiang Yu.

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Li, C., Yu, L., Liu, Z. et al. Schistosoma japonicum: The design and experimental evaluation of a multivalent DNA vaccine. Cell Mol Biol Lett 11, 449–460 (2006). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11658-006-0036-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11658-006-0036-0

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Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters

ISSN: 1689-1392

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