MEMBRANE PROTEIN Sm29 OF SCHISTOSOMA MANSONI AND USES THEREOF FOR TREATING AND DIAGNOSING SCHISTOSOMIASIS

摘要

The present invention relates to a Sm29 membrane protein and to an immunoenzymatic assay (diagnosis) capable of detecting specific IgG antibodies against the Sm29 protein present in the serum of schistosomiasis patients, the use of Sm29 as a vaccine in the prevention of schistosomiasis and the use of Sm29 in the treatment of allergic diseases. The immunoenzymatic assay is capable of detecting specific IgG antibodies against Sm29 present in the sera of individuals with schistosomiasis. Support-adsorbed Sm29 is reacted with the test sera. After incubation with the conjugate, the reaction is developed with a solution composed of the enzyme substrate used in the conjugate (chro- mogen). After the development of the reaction, it is paralyzed with the acid solution and read in a spectrophotometer. The vaccine using Sm29 is capable of reducing the number of adult worms in vaccinated animals in 31.2% (without adjuvant); 51 % and 56.7% (with adjuvant). Vaccination is also capable of reducing the number of parasite eggs in the intestine in 37.6% and 60%, and the number of granulomas in the liver of the host in 48% and 61 %. Vaccination is done by using 10-50 µg of recombinant Sm29 with or without the use of a sub- cutaneously-applied adjuvant. After 15 days, two booster doses are applied with a 15-day interval containing 10-50 µg of recombinant Sm29 with or without the use of an adjuvant. The stimulation of mononuclear cells of the peripheral blood of asthmatic patients shows that Sm29 is capable of inducing a high production of IL-10 by the innate immune system cells, thus evidencing its potential use as a therapeutic in the treatment of allergic diseases.