Identification of Immunodominant Epitopes of Schistosoma mansoni Vaccine Candidate Antigens Using Human T Cells

• Published in: Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz Vol. 99; no. 5 Suppl 1; pp. 63 - 66
• Main Authors: Fonseca, C T, Cunha-Neto, E, Kalil, J, Jesus, A R de, Correa-Oliveira, R, Carvalho, E M, Oliveira, S C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz 01-01-2004; Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Ministério da Saúde; Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ)
• Subjects: Algorithms; Animals; Antigens, Helminth - immunology; Epitopes - immunology; Fatty Acid Transport Proteins; Female; Helminth Proteins - administration & dosage; Helminth Proteins - immunology; HLA-DR Antigens - immunology; Humans; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Male; Membrane Transport Proteins - administration & dosage; Membrane Transport Proteins - immunology; paramyosin; PARASITOLOGY; Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosoma mansoni - immunology; Schistosomiasis mansoni - immunology; Schistosomiasis mansoni - prevention & control; Sm14; synthetic peptides; T cells; T cells - synthetic peptides - vaccines - Schistosoma mansoni - Sm14 - paramyosin; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; TROPICAL MEDICINE; Tropomyosin - administration & dosage; Tropomyosin - immunology; vaccines; Vaccines - administration & dosage; Vaccines - immunology; Schistosoma mansoni; synthetic peptides; Sm14; paramyosin; T cells; vaccines
• ISSN: 1678-8060; 0074-0276; 0074-0276; 1678-8060
• DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762004000900011

Paramyosin and Sm14 are two of the six antigens selected by the World
Health Organization as candidates to compose a subunit vaccine against
schistosomiasis. Both antigens are recognized by individuals naturally
resistant to Schistosoma mansoni infection and induced protective
immunity in the murine model. Three Sm14 epitopes and eleven paramyosin
epitopes were selected by their ability to bind to different HLA-DR
molecules using the TEPITOPE computer program, and these peptides were
synthetically produced. The cellular recognition of Sm14 and paramyosin
epitopes by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of individuals living in
endemic area for schistosomiasis was tested by T cell proliferation
assay. Among all Sm14 and paramyosin epitopes studied, Sm14-3 was
preferentially recognized by individuals naturally resistant to S.
mansoni infection while Para-5 was preferentially recognized by
individuals resistant to reinfection. These two peptides represent
promising antigens to be used in an experimental vaccine against
schistosomiasis, since their preferential recognition by resistant
individuals suggest their involvement in the induction of protective
immunity.