Isolation and Characterization of 44.6 kDa Protein from Schistosoma japonicum Male Worm

Soluble male worm antigen of Schistosoma japonicum ( Sj ) was investigated for development of new vaccine candidate. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting were performed to compare the difference between soluble antigens from worms of different sex. Mice vaccination with the testing purified protein was followed by Sj cercariae challenge to detect the protective effect against Sj . Sixteen bands were seen for the soluble male worm antigen and 12 for the female worm. In addition, a distinct band of 44.6 kDa from the male worm antigen was observed, and its antigenicity was demonstrated by Western blotting. This 44.6 kDa protein could induce significant worm and egg reduction rate in mice (39.31%, 41.98%, P 0.001). In this study a 44.6 kDa protein was isolated and partially characterized. Its antigenicity, immunogenicity and the partial immune protection suggest its potential vaccine candidte against Sj .