Approaches of Inducing Tolerance to Murine Schistosomiasis mansoni applying Biomphalaria and Bulinus Proteins

Bibliographic Information
Authors: Mossalem H.S.; Nasr S.M.; Fahmy A.M.; Atta S.; Abuelenain G.L.
Journal: Acta Parasitologica
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Publication Date: 24 January 2025
Volume / Issue: Volume 70 / Issue 1
Article No.: 41
ISSN: 12302821
DOI: 10.1007/s11686-025-00988-2
Scopus: View on Scopus
PubMed: 39853639
Document Type: Article
Access: All Open Access; Green Open Access; Hybrid Gold Open Access
Authors and Affiliations
Mossalem H.S., Medical Malacology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411, Egypt; Nasr S.M., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411, Egypt, School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo, Cairo, Badr City, 11829, Egypt; Fahmy A.M., Parasitology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411, Egypt; Atta S., Immunology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411, Egypt; Abuelenain G.L., Parasitology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411, Egypt
Abstract
Background: The freshwater snails Biomphalaria alexandrina and Bulinus trancatus are key contributors to the transmission of S. mansoni and S.haematobium, respectively, for being their intermediate hosts. Objectives: This research study aimed to investigate the potency of the nucleoproteins (NPs) extracted from both snail species on the host immune reactions as an approach to developing a potential vaccine. Methods: Three groups of six-week-old Swiss-Webster mice (n = 18; 15–20 g each) were injected intraperitoneally for three consecutive weeks with single doses (once a week) of B. alexandrina, B. truncatus, or a mixture of their nucleoproteins (50 µg each). On day 21st, the nucleoprotein-treated mice altogether, with six more mice, received subcutaneously S. mansoni cercariae (60/mouse). Eight weeks later, the experimental mice were sacrificed for evaluation of certain parasitological, molecular and immunological responses. Results: The data of mice immunized with the various types of nucleoproteins showed a significant increase of FAS/R gene expressions in hepatic tissues and anti-IgG antibody levels in sera on the one hand and a significant decrease of worm loads and β-actin/R gene expression levels on the other hand when compared to the infected control mice. Conclusion: These findings highlight the role of snails in immunomodulation and shed light on the possibility of antagonizing effects that might occur when the nucleoproteins of different species are mixed. Moreover, this research study might promote the literature spotting the importance of snail proteins against schistosomiasis. © The Author(s) 2025.
Keywords
Biomphalaria alexandrina; Bulinus truncatuse; Nucleoprotein; Schistosoma haematobium; Schistosomiasis; Shistosoma mansoni; Snail proteins; Animals; Biomphalaria; Bulinus; Female; Immune Tolerance; Mice; Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosomiasis mansoni; animal; immunological tolerance; immunology; mouse; parasitology; prevention and control
Citation Information
Scopus Citations: 0
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