Elicitation of protective immunity to Entamoeba histolytica--an experimental study

Protozoa. Amebiasis

The intestinal protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica causes amebic dysentery and amebic liver abscess, and ranks third worldwide among parasitic causes of death. The application of molecular techniques to the study of this organism have led to major advances in understanding the pathophysiology of amebic infection. This article reviews what is currently known about the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of amebiasis.

Identification of the galactose-adherence lectin epitopes of Entamoeba histolytica that stimulate tumor necrosis factor-alpha production by macrophages

The 170-kDa subunit of the galactose-adherence lectin (Gal-lectin) of Entamoeba histolytica mediates adherence to human colonic mucins and intestinal epithelium as a prerequisite to amebic invasion. The Gal-lectin is an immunodominant molecule and a protective antigen in the gerbil model of amebiasis. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) produced by activated macrophages enhances nitric oxide-dependent cytotoxicity in host defense against E. histolytica. The purpose of this study was to identify the Gal-lectin epitopes which stimulate TNF-alpha production by macrophages. Murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) exposed to Gal-lectin (100-500 ng/ml) stimulated stable expression of TNF-alpha mRNA (8-fold increase) and TNF-alpha production similar to that of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells (100 ng/ml). Polyclonal anti-lectin serum specifically inhibited TNF-alpha mRNA induction in response to the Gal-lectin but not to lipopolysaccharide. Anti-lectin monoclonal antibodies 8C12, H85 and 1G7, which recognize nonoverlapping epitopes of the cysteine-rich region of the 170-kDa heavy subunit, inhibited both amebic adherence to mammalian cells and Gal-lectin-stimulated TNF-alpha mRNA expression by BMMs,but monoclonal antibody 7F4 did neither. As these inhibitory antibodies map to amino acids 596-1082 of the 170-kDa Gal-lectin, our results have identified the functional region that mediates amebic adherence and TNF-alpha mRNA induction in BMMMs; thus, this region of the Gal-lectin is a subunit vaccine candidate.

Protection of gerbils from amebic liver abscess by immunization with a recombinant protein derived from the 170-kilodalton surface adhesin of Entamoeba histolytica

The protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica causes extensive morbidity and mortality worldwide through intestinal infection and amebic liver abscess. Here we show that vaccination of gerbils, a standard model for amebic liver abscess, with recombinant proteins derived from the 170-kDa galactose-binding adhesin of E. histolytica and the serine-rich E. histolytica protein or a combination of the two recombinant antigens provides excellent protection against subsequent hepatic challenge with virulent E. histolytica trophozoites.

Protection of gerbils from amebic liver abscess by immunization with a recombinant Entamoeba histolytica antigen

Amebiasis, infection by the intestinal protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica, is a leading parasitic cause of death. As a step in the development of a recombinant antigen vaccine to prevent E. histolytica infection, we looked at the ability of a recombinant version of the serine-rich E. histolytica protein (SREHP) to elicit a protective immune response against invasive amebic disease. Gerbils, a standard model for amebic liver abscess, were immunized with either a recombinant SREHP/maltose-binding protein (MBP) fusion, recombinant MBP alone, or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), all combined with complete Freund's adjuvant. In the first trial (group 1), gerbils received a primary and two booster immunizations intraperitoneally; in the second trial (group 2), gerbils were immunized by a single intradermal injection. SREHP/MBP-immunized gerbils in both groups produced antibody to native SHEHP and developed delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to recombinant SREHP. All gerbils were challenged by an intrahepatic injection with 5 x 10(4) virulent E. histolytica HM1-IMSS trophozoites. Complete protection from amebic liver abscess was seen in 64% of the SHEHP/MBP-immunized gerbils in group 1 and in 100% of the SREHP/MBP-immunized gerbils in group 2. There was no protection observed in MBP- or PBS-immunized gerbils in either group. Our results indicate that the SREHP molecule has potential as a vaccine to prevent amebic infection and demonstrate that successful vaccination of animals with recombinant E. histolytica antigen vaccines is possible.

Protective immunity to entamoeba histolytica infection in subjects with antiamoebic antibodies residing in a hyperendemic zone

To investigate the relationship between amoebic gut infection and the presence of serum antiamoebic antibodies in a community where amoebiasis is highly endemic, a cross-sectional population survey was conducted covering 982 subjects in 2 adjacent villages in rural India. E. histolytica was detected in fecal smears in 18.1% (88/487) and antiamoebic antibodies by micro-ELISA in 28.7% (251/874) subjects. In 450 subjects in whom there was no clinical evidence of invasive amoebic disease or history of ingestion of antiamoebic drugs in the previous year and from whom both stool and matched serum samples were obtained, correlation of gut infection with seropositivity was attempted. Seropositivity in 80 cyst passers (23.8%) was significantly lower than in 370 non-cyst passers (35.1%; p less than 0.05). Conversely the rate of gut infection with E. histolytica was lower in seropositive subjects (19/149; 12.8%) as compared to seronegative subjects (61/301; 23%, p less than 0.05). In the population where E. histolytica infection was highly endemic, the rate of gut infection with the parasite was inversely related to seropositivity. Our data suggests that invasive E. histolytica infection (mostly asymptomatic) evokes good gut immunity in the host with clearing of the parasite from the colon and/or resistance to reinfection. High prevalence rate of amoebic antibodies indicates good "herd" immunity.

Immunoreactivity of Entamoeba histolytica antigens with sera from amoebic patients

Immune sera from 15 patients with cured amoebic liver abscess were used to recognise the antigens of Entamoeba histolytica (HMI) by immunoblotting. The amoebic proteins most frequently recognised by sera from patients with cured amoebic liver abscess had molecular masses of 8, 13, 18, 22, 29, 38, 45, 67 and 94 kDa. Six plasma membrane-associated amoebic proteins of molecular mass 29, 38, 45-67 complex, 85 and 94 kDa were strongly recognised by such sera. Two plasma membrane-associated antigens of 108 and 129 kDa were not recognised by any sera. None of the crude or plasma membrane-associated antigens were recognised by sera from five patients of idiopathic ulcerative colitis, five patients of persistent giardiasis and five normal healthy subjects. Identification of such antigens, especially plasma membrane-associated antigens may pave a way to develop specific diagnostic and immunoprotective agents.

Recognition of 29 kDa surface-associated adhesive molecule of Entamoeba histolytica by monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies have been developed and used as specific probe to locate and identify a 29-kDa molecule of axenic Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites. Monoclonal antibody produced by clone C8 (MoAb C8) strongly agglutinated the amoebic trophozoites. The immunofluorescence of live E. histolytica trophozoites and surface fluorescence of acetone-fixed trophozoites by MoAb C8 indicated existence of a 29-kDa molecule on surface-associated plasma membrane of E. histolytica. The monoclonal antibody belonged to IgG1 isotype. The prior treatment of E. histolytica trophozoites with MoAb C8 resulted in significant (P less than 0.01) reduction in adherence of amoebic trophozoites to cultured Chinese Hamster Ovary cells and significant (P less than 0.01) reduction in cytotoxicity to cultured Baby Hamster Kidney cells. Pretreatment of amoebic trophozoites with MoAb C8 prior to cultivation in TPS-1 medium resulted in significant (P less than 0.01) reduction in growth of the parasite. Thus, the data suggested that the surface-exposed 29-kDa molecule may be one of the receptors involved in E. histolytica host cell interactions and may possibly modulate amoebic disease processes.