Premium
Passive protection against fasciolosis in mice by immunization with a monoclonal antibody (ES‐78 MoAb)
Author(s) -
Marcet Ricardo,
Díaz Ailen,
Arteaga Ernesto,
Finlay Carlos M.,
Sarracent Jorge
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
parasite immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1365-3024
pISSN - 0141-9838
DOI - 10.1046/j.0141-9838.2001.00443.x
Subject(s) - monoclonal antibody , fasciolosis , fasciola hepatica , biology , epitope , antigen , antibody , immunology , immune system , immunization , fasciola , virology , helminths
Summary Recently, we reported a partial characterization of the epitope recognized by the ES‐78 monoclonal antibody (MoAb). This monoclonal antibody was obtained from spleen lymphocytes of a mouse immunized with excretory–secretory antigens of Fasciola hepatica adult worms. In the present study, we report the results obtained in experiments of passive protection using this MoAb in BALB/c mice infected with 15 Fasciola hepatica metacercariae. The monoclonal antibody was able to reduce the parasite burden when administered 24 h before challenge but not when delivered 7 days after challenge. The antibody recognition of digestive tract structures in 3‐week‐old parasites was demonstrated by immune histochemical techniques. The antigens purified by affinity chromatography using this antibody had molecular weights of 14–20, 25–29 and 36–45 kDa and demonstrated proteinase activity similar to cathepsin L. These results suggest that the antigens carrying the epitope recognized by the ES‐78 MoAb may be used as target in the protection against fasciolosis.