A novel, helminth-derived immunostimulant enhances human recall responses to hepatitis C virus and tetanus toxoid and is dependent on CD56+ cells for its action

Clin Exp Immunol. 2008 May;152(2):265-73. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2008.03623.x. Epub 2008 Mar 12.

Abstract

We have described previously an immunostimulant derived from Onchocerca volvulus, the helminth parasite that causes onchocerciasis. Recombinant O. volvulus activation-associated secreted protein-1 (rOv-ASP-1) was a potent adjuvant for antibody and cellular responses to protein, polypeptide and small peptide antigens. Our aims were to determine whether rOv-ASP-1 is immunostimulatory for human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and, if so, whether it could augment cellular responses against human pathogen antigens in vitro. Cytokines from rOv-ASP-1-stimulated human PBMC were measured by a fluorescence activated cell sorter-based multiplex assay. Recall responses of normal healthy donor (NHD) and chronic hepatitis C virus (c-HCV)-infected patient PBMC to tetanus toxoid (TT) or HCV core (HCVco) antigen, respectively, were measured by interferon-gamma enzyme-linked immunospot assays. Interferon-gamma was the predominant cytokine induced by rOv-ASP-1. 77.3% of NHD anti-TT and 88.9% of c-HCV anti-HCVco responses were enhanced by rOv-ASP-1. The immunostimulant effect was dependent upon contact between CD56+ and CD56- fractions of PBMC. We have described a helminth-derived protein that can act as an immunostimulant for human recall responses in vitro to TT and, perhaps more importantly, HCV antigens in patients with chronic HCV infection. Our longer-term goal would be to boost anti-viral responses in chronic infections such as HCV.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antigens, Helminth / immunology*
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology*
  • CD56 Antigen / analysis
  • Cell Communication / immunology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Female
  • Helminth Proteins / immunology*
  • Hepacivirus / immunology*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Memory
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology
  • Tetanus Toxoid / immunology*

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Antigens, Helminth
  • Antigens, Viral
  • CD56 Antigen
  • Cytokines
  • Helminth Proteins
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Ov-ASP-1 protein, Onchocerca volvulus
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Tetanus Toxoid
  • Interferon-gamma