Open AccessIntranasal Immunization with RecombinantAscaris suum14-Kilodalton Antigen Coupled with Cholera Toxin B Subunit Induces Protective Immunity toA. suumInfection in Mice
Author(s) -
Naotoshi Tsuji,
Kayo Suzuki,
Harue Kasuga-Aoki,
Yasunobu Matsumoto,
Takeshi Arakawa,
Kenji Ishiwata,
Takashi Isobe
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
infection and immunity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.508
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1070-6313
pISSN - 0019-9567
DOI - 10.1128/iai.69.12.7285-7292.2001
Subject(s) - ascaris suum , biology , cholera toxin , antigen , microbiology and biotechnology , immunogenicity , immune system , virology , antibody , immunoglobulin e , immunoglobulin a , recombinant dna , immunity , immunoglobulin g , immunology , gene , helminths , biochemistry
Animals can be rendered immune to Ascaris parasites by immunization with infectious-stage larvae. The specific parasite gene products that mediate protective responses in ascariasis are unknown. We have identified a cDNA encoding Ascaris suum 14-kDa antigen (As14) and evaluated the vaccinal effect of the Escherichia coli-expressed recombinant protein (rAs14). GenBank analysis showed that As14 has low similarity at the amino acid level to a Caenorhabditis elegans gene product and to antigens of the filarial nematodes but not to other known proteins. In addition, As14 homologues were found to be expressed in human and dog roundworms. In mice that received intranasal administration of rAs14 coupled with cholera toxin B subunit (rAs14-CTB), there was a 64% reduction of recovery of larvae compared with that in the nontreated group. The vaccinated mice showed a significant increase in the total serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels and the mucosal IgA responses. Elevation of the rAs14-specific IgE response was also seen. Measurement of the IgG subclasses showed a higher level of IgG1 and a lower level of IgG2a antibody response in the sera of the immunized mice, suggesting that protection was associated with a type II immune response. As14 is the first protective antigen against A. suum infection to be identified. Our immunization trial results in laboratory animals suggest the possibility of developing a mucosal vaccine for parasitic diseases caused by ascarid nematodes.