Vaccination-induced protection of lambs against the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus correlates with high IgG antibody responses to the LDNF glycan antigen

Glycobiology. 2003 Nov;13(11):795-804. doi: 10.1093/glycob/cwg107. Epub 2003 Aug 7.

Abstract

Lambs respond to vaccination against bacteria and viruses but have a poor immunological response to nematodes. Here we report that they are protected against the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus after vaccination with excretory/secretory (ES) glycoproteins using Alhydrogel as an adjuvant. Lambs immunized with ES in Alhydrogel and challenged with 300 L3 larvae/kg body weight had a reduction in cumulative egg output of 89% and an increased percentage protection of 54% compared with the adjuvant control group. Compared to the adjuvant dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium bromide, Alhydrogel induced earlier onset and significantly higher ES- specific IgG, IgA, and IgE antibody responses. In all vaccinated groups a substantial proportion of the antibody response was directed against glycan epitopes, irrespective of the adjuvant used. In lambs vaccinated with ES in Alhydrogel but not in any other group a significant increase was found in antibody levels against the GalNAcbeta1,4 (Fucalpha1,3)GlcNAc (fucosylated LacdiNAc, LDNF) antigen, a carbohydrate antigen that is also involved in the host defense against the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni. In lambs the LDNF-specific response increased from the first immunization onward and was significantly higher in protected lambs. In addition, an isotype switch from LDNF-specific IgM to IgG was induced that correlated with protection. These data demonstrate that hyporesponsiveness of lambs to H. contortus can be overcome by vaccination with ES glycoproteins in a strong T-helper 2 type response-inducing aluminum adjuvant. This combination generated high and specific antiglycan antibody responses that may contribute to the vaccination-induced protection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology
  • Aluminum Hydroxide / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Helminth / blood*
  • Antigens, Helminth / immunology*
  • Antigens, Helminth / therapeutic use
  • Haemonchiasis / immunology
  • Haemonchiasis / prevention & control
  • Haemonchiasis / veterinary*
  • Haemonchus / chemistry
  • Haemonchus / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Lactose / analogs & derivatives
  • Lactose / immunology*
  • Lactose / therapeutic use
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / pharmacology
  • Sheep
  • Sheep Diseases / immunology*
  • Sheep Diseases / parasitology
  • Sheep Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Vaccination / veterinary*

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Antibodies, Helminth
  • Antigens, Helminth
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • N-acetylgalactosaminyl-1-4-(fucosyl-1,3)-N-acetylglucosamine
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
  • dimethyldioctadecylammonium
  • Aluminum Hydroxide
  • Lactose