[Studies on recombinant chitinase and SXP-1 antigens as antimicrofilarial vaccines]

To determine whether immunization with recombinant filarial chitinase or a fragment containing the epitope recognized by McAbMF1 and SXP-1 could protect jirds against microfilaremia resulting from infection with B. malayi.

Test jirds were immunized with the following recombinant parasite antigens: filarial chitinase, the c-terminal fragments F7R2 or F8R2 of r-chitinase, filarial SXP-1, myosin or maltose binding protein (MBP). Employing immunochemical techniqe (SDS-PAGE, Western Blotting) and serology (ELISA) measured antifilarial antibodies level.

Immunization of jirds with recombinant chitinase induced partial protection against microfilaremia resulting from subsequent infection with B. malayi, but did not reduce adult worm burdens. Vaccination was much less effective when administered during the prepatent stage of infection and was ineffective when given to microfilaremic jirds. Immunization of jirds with SXP-1, an antigen present in multiple worm stages also reduced microfilaremia and, in some experiments, adult worm burdens.

The recombinant chitinase, fragments F7R2 and F8R2 and SXP-1 could provide partial protection against microfilaremia in jirds.