Recombinant Ascaris 16-kilodalton protein-induced protection against Ascaris suum larval migration after intranasal vaccination in pigs

Abstract

We recently cloned a protective antigen that is commonly expressed in Ascaris species that infect humans and pigs. We evaluated the vaccinal effects of this 16-kilodalton protein (As16) in pigs, the natural host of Ascaris suum, by intranasal immunization. Pigs that received Escherichia coli-expressed recombinant As16 (rAs16) coupled with cholera toxin (CT) had significantly elevated levels of rAs16-specific serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and mucosal-associated IgA antibodies. rAs16 evoked a type II immune response characterized by elevated levels of interleukin-4 and -10 in the culture supernatants of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the vaccinated pigs. An increased level of rAs16-specific serum IgG1 was also detected. Pigs vaccinated with rAs16-CT were protected from migration of A. suum larvae through the lungs, as indicated by a 58% reduction in the recovery of lung-stage third-stage larvae (L3), compared with that in nonvaccinated controls. Purified immunoglobulin from rAs16-CT-vaccinated pigs inhibited survival of infective L3 and interrupted the molting of lung-stage 13. Immunofluorescence studies revealed that this immunoglobulin bound to the digestive tracts of 13, suggesting that it might inactivate functions of the gut tissues of Ascaris species. We conclude that rAs16 is a promising mucosal vaccine candidate for pig and human ascariasis.