Progress in the development of Fasciola hepatica vaccine using recombinant fatty acid binding protein with the adjuvant adaptation system ADAD.

Fatty acid binding proteins (FABP) have been designed as a potential vaccine against fasciolosis. In this work, the immunoprophylaxis of the recombinant Fh15 FABP from F. hepatica (Fh15) in adjuvant/immunomodulator ADAD system was evaluated using mice and sheep challenged with F. hepatica. The ADAD system combines the Fh15 antigen with an immunomodulator (hydroalcoholic extract of Polypodium leucotomos; PAL) and/or an adjuvant (saponins of Quillaja saponaria; Qs) in a water/oil emulsion (30/70) with a non-mineral oil (Montanide). All the infected control mice died by 41-48 days post-infection. The mice vaccinated with ADAD only with PAL+Fh15 present a survival rate of 40-50% and those vaccinated with ADAD containing PAL+Qs+Fh15 had a survival rate of 50-62.5%. IgG1 antibodies were lower in surviving mice in comparison with non-surviving mice. The sheep vaccinated with ADAD PAL+Qs+Fh15 showed lower fluke recovery (43%), less hepatic lesions and higher post-infection daily weight gain than F. hepatica infected control animals. Thus, the ADAD system using recombinant fatty acid binding proteins from F. hepatica could be a good option to develop vaccines against F. hepatica.

Vaccination of sheep against Fasciola hepatica with homologous fatty acid binding proteins.

The current study was designed to test the immunoprophylactic properties of native (nFh12) and recombinant (rFh15) antigens from Fasciola hepatica in sheep subsequently infected with the fluke. Thirty lambs were divided into six groups according to various patterns of immunisation and times of infection and necropsy. The antigens were emulsified in Freund's adjuvant. Levels of specific anti-nFh12 and anti-rFh15 antibodies rose rapidly by 2 weeks after the first immunisation and were always significantly higher in immunised-infected sheep than in control-infected sheep. On completion of the trial there was no difference in fluke burden between groups vaccinated with either of the antigens and non-immunised controls. However, worm size and faecal egg counts were significantly diminished in the sheep vaccinated with either of the antigens, suggesting an anti-fecundity effect. This is the first report of experimental vaccination of sheep against F. hepatica with purified native and recombinant antigens related to fatty acid binding proteins.

Vaccination of mice against schistosoma bovis with a recombinant fatty acid binding protein from Fasciola hepatica.

Two strains of mice (NMRI and C57/BL) were each immunized with a 15kDa recombinant Fasciola hepatica fatty acid binding protein (FABP) (Fh15) and challenged percutaneously with Schistosoma bovis cercariae. C57/BL mice immunized with Fh15 had significant reductions in S. bovis worm burden recoveries (72% reductions over controls). When using NMRI mice, Fh15 in Freund's adjuvant failed to induce significant protection against S. bovis. In C57/BL mice, only antibodies to the IgG2a isotype increased after the second immunization and remained high through 8 weeks of S. bovis infection. This is the first time that a heterologous recombinant molecule from F. hepatica has been used in vaccination against S. bovis, obtaining a significant reduction in the number of worms in C57/BL mice.

[Lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins in normal newborns]. / Lípidos, lipoproteínas y apolipoproteínas en recién nacidos normales.

BACKGROUND: In Chile, there is a high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. Because atherosclerosis starts in childhood, it is important to assess serum lipid levels in children. AIM: To measure serum lipid levels in normal Chilean newborns. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A sample of umbilical cord venous blood was obtained from 156 normal newborns (76 male) immediately after delivery. Total and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, apoprotein A1, B and lipoprotein (a) were measured. RESULTS: Mean values for total cholesterol in males, females and in the total sample were 60.6, 67.8 and 64 mg/dl respectively. The figures for HDL cholesterol were 24.9, 29.3 and 27 mg/dl, for LDL cholesterol were 28.3, 32.4 and 30 mg/dl, for triglycerides were 37.5, 30.3 and 35 mg/dl, for apoprotein A1 were 69, 79 and 74 mg/dl, for apoB were 23, 25 and 24 mg/dl and for lipoprotein (a) were 1.58, 1.79 and 1.69 mg/dl. Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and apoprotein A1 were significantly different between sexes. Percentiles 5 and 95 for total cholesterol were 37 and 111, for HDL cholesterol were 14 and 40, for LDL cholesterol were 13 and 57, for triglycerides were 20 and 69, for apoprotein A1 were 53 and 101, for apoprotein B were 11 and 48 and for lipoprotein (a) were 1.3 and 2.1 mg/dl. Five percent of children had apoprotein B values over 48 mg/dl. CONCLUSIONS: The detection of high levels of apoprotein B in newborns, could allow the early identification of individuals with high cardiovascular risk.

[Serum lipid levels in children and teenagers from Concepción, Chile]. / Perfil lipídico y prevalencia de dislipidemias en niños y adolescentes de Concepción, Chile.

BACKGROUND: There is a relationship between serum lipid levels in children with those of adults. Preventive measures to reduce serum lipid levels should start in childhood. AIM: To study serum lipid levels in a representative sample of children and teenagers from Concepción, Chile. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Serum total, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were measured in 1,286 males and 816 females from 5 to 18 years old in the city of Concepción. RESULTS: Mean total cholesterol levels were 159 +/- 30 and 162 +/- 31 mg/dl in males and females respectively. The figures for HDL cholesterol were 46 +/- 11 and 47 +/- 11 mg/dl, for LDL cholesterol were 94 +/- 27 and 96 +/- 29 mg/dl and for triglycerides were 80 +/- 35 and 87 +/- 38 mg/dl. Nine percent of males and 12% of females had a total cholesterol over 200 mg/dl. Likewise 10% of males and 11% of females had a LDL cholesterol over 130 mg/dl. CONCLUSIONS: These numbers will help to plan and perform interventions in children, in order to prevent cardiovascular diseases.