Screening of Protective Antigen from Schistosoma japonicum Cercariae Attenuated by Ultraviole Irradiation

Objective To study the different protein expression from ultraviolet irradiated cercariae of Schistosoma japonicum and screen for the effective antigens with protection against S.japonicum infection.Methods Cercariae antigens were prepared and separated by SDS PAGE electrophoresis then transferred to nitrocellulose membrane. Western blot was performed with irradiated cercariae immunized sera and normal infected sera.The positive bands probed with different immune serum were compared.A specific antigen recognized by irradiated cercariae immunized sera was screened and its molecular weight was determined.Results A specific antigen in cercariae was recognized by irradiated cercariae immunized sera, with a molecular weight of 75kDa. Conclusion Ultraviolet irradiated cercariae could induce host to produce specific antibody, which recognized an antigen with the molecular weight of 75kDa.