The insulin receptor is a transmission blocking veterinary vaccine target for zoonotic Schistosoma japonicum

Insulin receptors have been previously identified in Schistosoma japonicum that can bind human insulin. We used the purified recombined protein of the ligand domain of S. japonicum insulin receptor 2 (SjLD2) in three independent murine vaccine/challenge trials. Compared with controls, vaccination of mice with SjLD2 resulted in a significant reduction in faecal eggs, the stunting of adult worms and a reduction in liver granuloma density in all three trials. Furthermore, in the final trial, in which mature intestinal eggs were also quantified, there was a reduction in their number. These results suggest that development of a vaccine based on rSjLD2 for preventing transmission of zoonotic schistosomiasis is feasible.

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► Depressed growth of adult Schistosoma japonicum was observed in rSjLD2-vaccinated mice.
► Significant reduction was observed in the numbers of faecal eggs in rSjLD2-vaccinated mice.
► Significant reduction was observed in mature intestinal eggs in rSjLD2-vaccinated mice.
► Significant reduction was observed in liver granuloma density in rSjLD2-vaccinated mice.
► The potential application of rSjLD2 as a transmission blocking veterinary vaccine is discussed.