European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

IMPACT OF cDNA VACCINE LOADED ON NANOPARTICLES IN MURINE SCHISTOSOMIASIS MANSONI

Mohamed A. Saber, Khalil Elhalafawy, Hoda Sabry, Hui Gao, Shaimaa Shaker* and Mahmoud F. ElSabahy

ABSTRACT

There is a need for both new and improved vaccine formulations for schistosomiasis. Applying DNA loaded on biodegradable polymer-based vaccines fulfill many of the desired properties in achieving effective long-term treatment. The present study was designed to assess the ability of Aminated Linear Trimethylethylenediamine (ALT) polymer as a carrier for recombinant plasmid constructed from S. mansoni fimbrin gene and pcDNA expression vector (fimbrin /pcDNA) as a DNA vaccine. On experimental level Swiss albino mice of CDI strain, each weighing 18- 20 gram, grouped in four groups. Each group was injected either with fimbrin/pcDNA loaded in ALT polymer, or with fimbrin/pcDNA alone, or with empty non-loaded polymer, or without treatment as a control. All animals were infected with S. mansoni cercariae. The results showed that ALT polymer was able to deliver fimbrin/pcDNA and mice group immunized with loaded nanoplymer showed significant reduction reaching 68 % in total worm burden when compared to control group. Both vaccinated groups decreased parasite load and ameliorated liver morbidity. These data shows that using nanopolymer as a delivery system for DNA vaccine formulation is a promising anti pathology vaccine for schistosomiasis. Further investigations regarding use of nanoparticles as vaccine delivery system to better evaluate or improve their role as potential preventive measures.

Keywords: Schistsomiasis, fimbrin/pcDNA, vaccine, ALT polymer.