Sex-dependent neutralizing humoral response to Schistosoma mansoni 28GST antigen in infected human populations

The reduction of Schistosoma fecundity observed after experimental vaccination with the Schistosoma mansoni 28-kDa glutathione S-transferase (Sm28GsT) antigen has been related to the inhibition of glutathione S- transferase (GST) enzymatic activity by specific antibody. The humoral immune response to the protective antigen Sm28GST and to the epitopes involved in the enzymatic site (amino acid [aa] sequences 10-43 and 190-211) was evaluated in infected individuals before chemotherapy treatment. The capacity of the serum samples to inhibit GST enzymatic activity was assessed. Specific IgG3 response was predominant in the male population with a low intensity of infection and was associated with maximal GST inhibition. In contrast, the neutralizing activity of serum samples from women with a low intensity of infection was correlated with high specific IgA response specifically directed toward the 190-211 epitope. These results strongly support the hypothesis that GST-neutralizing IgG3 and IgA isotypes are sex dependent. The relationship of this specific acquired immune response with the level of intensity of infection is discussed.