Pilot Study on Interferon-γ-producing T Cell Subsets after the Protective Vaccination with Radiation-attenuated Cercaria of Schistosoma japonicum in the Miniature Pig Model

Ekhlas Hamed Abdel-Hafeez; Kanji Watanabe; Kaori Kamei; Mihoko Kikuchi; Honggen Chen; Boamah Daniel; Chuanxin Yu; Kenji Hirayama

doi:10.2149/tmh.2014-11

Original Paper

Pilot Study on Interferon-γ-producing T Cell Subsets after the Protective Vaccination with Radiation-attenuated Cercaria of Schistosoma japonicum in the Miniature Pig Model

Ekhlas Hamed Abdel-Hafeez, Kanji Watanabe, Kaori Kamei, Mihoko Kikuchi, Honggen Chen, Boamah Daniel, Chuanxin Yu, Kenji Hirayama

Author information

Ekhlas Hamed Abdel-Hafeez
Department of Immunogenetics, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University
Kanji Watanabe
Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University
Kaori Kamei
Department of Immunogenetics, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University
Mihoko Kikuchi
Department of Immunogenetics, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University
Honggen Chen
Jiangxi Provintial Institute of Parasitic Diseases
Boamah Daniel
Department of Immunogenetics, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University
Chuanxin Yu
Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases
Kenji Hirayama Corresponding author
Department of Immunogenetics, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University

Keywords: αβ T cell receptor, γδ T cells, Schistosoma japonicum, miniature pig, radiation attenuated cercaria, Vaccine, IFN-γ

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2014 Volume 42 Issue 4 Pages 155-162

DOI https://doi.org/10.2149/tmh.2014-11

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Abstract

CLAWN miniature pig has been shown to serve as a suitable host for the experimental infection of Schistosoma japonicum. In this study, we found that radiation-attenuated cercaria (RAC) vaccine gave CLAWN miniature pigs protective immunity against subsequent challenge infection with S. japonicum cercaria. To characterize the protective immune response of the pig model vaccinated by attenuated cercaria, flow cytometric analysis of the reactive T cell subsets was performed. The intracellular interferon (IFN)-γ and the cell surface markers revealed the peripheral blood CD3+ T-lymphocytes produced significant amounts of IFN-γ during the immunization period and after the challenge infection. CD4+ αβ-T cells as well as CD4+/CD8α^mid double positive and/or CD8α^high αβ-T cells were the major IFN-γ-producing CD3+ T cells. On the contrary, γδ T cells did not produce intracellular IFN-γ. Our results suggested that RAC-vaccinated miniature pigs showed effective protective immunity through the activation of αβ T cells bearing antigen specific T-cell receptors but not through the activation of γδ T cells.

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