ANALYSIS OF THE IMMUNE-RESPONSE ELICITED BY A MULTIPLE ANTIGEN PEPTIDE (MAP) COMPOSED OF 2 DISTINCT PROTECTIVE ANTIGENS DERIVED FROM THE PARASITE SCHISTOSOMA-MANSONI

In this report we analyse the immune response elicited by a Multiple A ntigen Peptide (MAP), containing three peptide sequences derived from two distinct vaccine candidates against schistosomiasis; the Schistoso ma mansoni 28 kDa Gluthatione-S-Transferase (Sm28GST) and the Schistos oma mansoni Triose-Phosphate-Isomcrase (sTPI). We examined the immunog enicity of this construct, named MAP 'DA', in three distinct mouse str ains. The B-cell response, studied by, measuring the production of dif ferent IgG isotypes, was mainly directed against the peptide derived f rom the Sm28GST, but also against the whole Sm28GST protein. IPI contr ast, the T-cell response, as assessed by, proliferation assay and cyto kine mRNA expression, was directed against the MAP construct, the pept ides derived from the sTPI protein and the whole sTPI protein. Signifi cantly, T-cells from all MAP 'DA'-immunized mice, restimulated in vitr o was the sTPI antigen, expressed IFN-gamma specific messengers. This cytokine has been described to play a major role in the reduction of t he Schistosoma mansoni pathology. We thus demonstrate that a single MA P construct, composed of peptides from distinct antigens of Schistosom a mansoni; induced a Band T-cell response, including production of pot entially protective IFN-gamma, irrespective of the MHC background.