AUTHOR=Perera Dilhan J. , Hassan Adam S. , Jia Yimei , Ricciardi Alessandra , McCluskie Michael J. , Weeratna Risini D. , Ndao Momar 

TITLE=Adjuvanted Schistosoma mansoni-Cathepsin B With Sulfated Lactosyl Archaeol Archaeosomes or AddaVax™ Provides Protection in a Pre-Clinical Schistosomiasis Model

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2020.605288

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2020.605288

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=<p>Schistosomiasis threatens 800 million people worldwide. Chronic pathology manifests as hepatosplenomegaly, and intestinal schistosomiasis caused by <italic>Schistosoma mansoni</italic> can lead to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and blood in the stool. To assist the only FDA-approved drug, praziquantel, in parasite elimination, the development of a vaccine would be of high value. <italic>S. mansoni</italic> Cathepsin B (SmCB) is a well-documented vaccine target for intestinal schistosomiasis. Herein, we test the increased efficacy and immunogenicity of SmCB when combined with sulfated lactosyl archaeol (SLA) archaeosomes or AddaVax™ (a squalene based oil-in-water emulsion). Both vaccine formulations resulted in robust humoral and cell mediated immune responses. Impressively, both formulations were able to reduce parasite burden greater than 40% (WHO standard), with AddaVax™ reaching 86.8%. Additionally, SmCB with both adjuvants were able to reduce granuloma size and the amount of larval parasite hatched from feces, which would reduce transmission. Our data support SmCB as a target for <italic>S. mansoni</italic> vaccination; especially when used in an adjuvanted formulation.</p>