Vaccination of mice with γ-irradiatedSchistosoma japonicumcercariae

Abstract

γ-irradiated cercarial vaccines induce high levels of protection in mice against Schistosoma mansoni infection, however, the same has not been well established for S. japonicum. Here we describe vaccination studies in mice with γ-irradiated S. japonicum cercariae testing the effectiveness of different irradiation doses, number of vaccinations, and mouse strains. In CBA/Ca mice, a single percutaneous exposure to 500 S. japonicum cercariae previously attenuated by 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 krad γ-irradiation induced significant, but comparable levels of protection (34–46%) against challenge infection. In a repeat experiment in C57Bl/6 mice, only groups vaccinated with 10 or 20 krad γ-irradiated cercariae showed statistically significant, but lower levels of resistance (20–24%). Multiple vaccination of CBA/Ca mice with 500 20 krad γ-irradiated cercariae did not improve the resistance level (40%). Analysis of IgG responses showed no clear correlation between antibody levels and levels of protection. Western blot analysis suggested that recognition of a 200-kDa antigen might be correlated with protection, that antigens of 42 and 50 kDa may be involved in the protection induced by single vaccination, but that different antigens might be protective in single vs multiple vaccinations. Sera from mice vaccinated with γ-irradiated cercariae recognized many fewer antigens than more protective sera from mice vaccinated with UV-attenuated cercariae. These results suggest that the mouse may not be a suitable host for studies involving γ-irradiated S. japonicum vaccines.