EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF SM28GST-DERIVED PEPTIDES IN MURINE HEPATOSPLENIC SCHISTOSOMIASIS - INTEREST OF THE LIPOPEPTIDIC FORM OF THE C-TERMINAL PEPTIDE

Among the synthetic peptides derived from the 28-kDa Schistosoma manso ni glutathione S-transferase (Sm28GST), immunization with the C-termin al peptide comprising amino acid residues 190-211 induced a reduction in splenomegaly, in the number of hepatic eggs and in hepatic fibrosis in mice infected by Schistosoma mansoni. The absence of antibodies sp ecific for the Sm28GST or for the 190-211 peptide observed in our cond itions of immunization with this peptide argued in favour of the invol vement of cellular-dependent mechanisms in the reduction in hepatic pa thology. This was confirmed by the passive transfer of 190-211 peptide -specific T-cell enriched spleen cells which reproduced the protective effect conferred by immunization with the 190-211 peptide significant ly improved the reduction in hepatic pathology obtained with the uncou pled peptide and induced a durable protective response. These results provide encouraging information for the possible use of synthetic pept ides in the immunoprophylaxis of Schistosomiasis.