FoxP3+ T regulatory cells and immunomodulation after Schistosoma mansoni egg antigen immunization in experimental model of inflammatory bowel disease

• Dextran sodium sulfate succeeds in making experimental model of inflammatory bowel disease.
• S. mansoni egg antigen has a profitable modulatory effect on DSS-induced colitis model.
• S. mansoni egg antigen immunization markedly ameliorate the course of DSS-induced colitis.
• S. mansoni egg antigen immunization induces the increase in FoxP3+ T regulatory cells.
• S. mansoni egg antigen immunization induces the increase in Th2 cytokines.

To assess the effect of Schistosoma mansoni egg antigen immunization on the immunomodulation in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) induced colitis as an experimental model of IBD in comparison to non immunization and healthy control. The study was performed on 180 mice; 25 healthy control, 15 to identify the inflammatory peak of DSS, 25 received DSS for 7 days; 90 infected with S. mansoni cercariae to collect eggs for antigen preparation, and 25 immunized with the prepared antigen then received DSS course. Disease activity index, macroscopic & microscopic inflammatory scores, FoxP3+ T regulatory cell count, myeloperoxidase activity, and Th1/Th2 cytokine profile were compared in studied groups. Immunization induced both FoxP3+ Tregs and Th2 cytokines to establish a state of immune homeostasis and create a quiescent steadier immune response to DSS. S. mansoni egg antigen succeeded in acting like a prophylactic helminthic therapy as it has a profitable modulatory effect on DSS-induced colitis model.