Anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody enhances the protective efficacy of Schistosoma japonicum GST vaccine via inhibition of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells

Abstract

The effect of anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody (anti-CD25 mAb) on the protection efficacy of Schistosoma japonicum 26 kDa GST (glutathione-S-transferase) vaccine was evaluated. Mice were immunized with GST before infection with S. japonicum cercariae and then injected with anti-CD25 mAb. The worm reduction rate was promoted from 24.18% in mice with GST immunization to 47.09% in mice with GST plus anti-CD25 mAb. Compared with the control group, the percentages of splenic CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells (Tregs) were significantly lower after administration of anti-CD25 mAb; meanwhile, elevated levels of IFN-γ and IL-2 were secreted by splenocytes. These results indicate that the poor protective efficacy of the GST vaccine against S. japonicum results from the presence of CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ Tregs, while anti-CD25 mAb can partially block CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ Tregs and thus enhance the protective efficacy of the GST vaccine.

Keywords: Anti-CD25 mAb; CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Tregs; GST vaccine; Schistosoma japonicum.