Characterization of the immune response to DNA vaccination strategies for schistosomiasis candidate antigen, Sm-p80 in the baboon.

Even though schistosomicidal agents and other control measures, including public hygiene and snail control exist, development of an efficacious vaccine still remains the most potentially powerful method for control of schistosomiasis. In our continuing efforts to develop a vaccine against schistosomiasis, we have selected a vaccine candidate (Sm-p80), which plays an important role in the immune evasion process of the parasite. Sm-p80 has been shown to confer up to 60% protection in mice following experimental infection.

Induction of protective immunity against Schistosoma mansoni via DNA priming and boosting with the large subunit of calpain (Sm-p80): adjuvant effects of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-4.

Considerable morbidity and mortality result from schistosomiasis, an affliction affecting an estimated 200 million people. Although schistosomicidal drugs and other control measures (including public hygiene and snail control) exist, the advent of an efficacious vaccine remains the most potentially powerful means for controlling this disease. We have targeted a vaccine candidate (large subunit of calpain, Sm-p80) because of its consistent immunogenicity, protective potential, and integral role in surface membrane biogenesis of schistosomes.

Enhancement of Sm-p80 (large subunit of calpain) induced protective immunity against Schistosoma mansoni through co-delivery of interleukin-2 and interleukin-12 in a DNA vaccine formulation.

Schistosomiasis afflicts an estimated 200 million people in 76 countries and an additional 600 million people are at risk of acquiring this infection. Even though effective anthelmintic treatment and snail eradication control programs exist, the discovery of an effective vaccine still remains the most potentially powerful means of control for this disease. We have concentrated on a vaccine candidate (large subunit of calpain or Sm-p80) because of its potential in conferring protection against challenge infection and its pivotal role in surface membrane biogenesis of schistosomes.