Virus-like particles vaccine containing Clonorchis sinensis tegumental protein induces partial protection against Clonorchis sinensis infection

Dong-Hun Lee,Fu-Shi Quan,Ah-Ra Kim,Su-Hwa Lee

doi:10.1186/s13071-017-2526-5

Dong-Hun Lee, Fu-Shi Quan + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-017-2526-5

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Abstract

BackgroundHuman clonorchiasis, caused by the infection of Clonorchis sinensis, is one of the major health problems in Southeast Asia. However, vaccine efficacy against C. sinensis infection remains largely unknown.MethodsIn this study, for the first time, we generated virus-like particles (VLPs) vaccine containing the C. sinensis tegumental protein 22.3 kDa (CsTP 22.3) and the influenza matrix protein (M1) as a core protein, and investigated the vaccine efficacy in Sprague-Dawley rats.ResultsIntranasal immunization of VLPs vaccine induced C. sinensis-specific IgG, IgG2a and IgG2c in the sera and IgA responses in the feces and intestines. Notably, upon challenge infection with C. sinensis metacercariae, significantly lower adult worm loads (70.2%) were measured in the liver of rats immunized with VLPs, compared to those of naïve rats. Furthermore, VLPs immunization induced antibody secreting cells (ASC) responses and CD4+/CD8+ T cell responses in the spleen.ConclusionsOur results indicated that VLPs vaccine containing C. sinensis CsTP 22.3 kDa provided partial protection against C. sisnensis infection. Thus, VLPs could be a potential vaccine candidate against C. sinensis.

Highlights

Human clonorchiasis, caused by the infection of Clonorchis sinensis, is one of the major health problems in Southeast Asia
We found that C. sinensis Virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine elicited C. sinensis-specific immunoglobulins G (IgG), IgG subclass and IgA antibody responses, antibody secreting cells (ASC) and CD4+/CD8+ T cell responses, resulting in protection against C. sinensis infection in a rat model
Constructs generation Clonorchis sinensis CsTP 22.3 gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the influenza matrix 1 (M1) gene was amplified by RTPCR with primers containing restriction enzyme sites (Additional file 2: Figure S2a, c)

Summary

Introduction

Human clonorchiasis, caused by the infection of Clonorchis sinensis, is one of the major health problems in Southeast Asia. Vaccine efficacy against C. sinensis infection remains largely unknown. Clonorchiasis is mainly prevalent in Southeast Asia, including Korea, China, East Russia, Taiwan and northern Vietnam, causing pyogenic cholangitis, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis and hepatic fibrosis, and even cholagiocarcinoma in humans [1,2,3,4]. Vaccines against C. sinensis infection are largely unknown. Intramuscular injection of a plasmid containing genes encoding cysteine proteinase, fatty acid-binding protein, CsPMY and enolase (CsENO) elicited worm reductions, rating 31.50, 40.90, 31.60 and 37.42%, respectively [8, 9]. Subcutaneous inoculation with recombinant proteins Rho GTPase, 14-3-3 epsilon, CsPMY, cathepsin B cysteine protease 2 (CsCB2), CsCB3, CsENO and hexokinase (CsHK), showed worm reduction

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