Schistosoma japonicum, also known as the Oriental blood Fluke, is a parasitic flatworm that infects humans and animals, causing a chronic and debilitating disease called schistosomiasis. This disease affects millions of people worldwide, especially in tropical and subtropical regions, and is considered a neglected tropical disease. Schistosoma japonicum has a complex life cycle that involves different stages of development and interactions with the host immune system. In this article, we will discuss some of the immunogenic antigens of Schistosoma japonicum, including miracidial antigen 8C 8I, 8I’, 5D, 22.6kDa membrane-associated antigen, Antigen Sj32, Eggshell protein 2A, Major egg antigen, Circulating cathodic antigen, and ELAV-like protein 1 (Hu-antigen R).

Miracidial antigen 8C 8I and 8I’ are two immunogenic antigens of Schistosoma japonicum that are involved in the early stages of infection. These antigens are expressed by the miracidial stage of the parasite and are recognized by the host immune system, triggering an immune response that can limit the parasite’s growth and development. Miracidial antigen 8C 8I and 8I’ are promising targets for the development of new diagnostic tools and vaccines against schistosomiasis.

5D, 22.6kDa Membrane-Associated Antigen: The 5D, 22.6kDa membrane-associated antigen is another immunogenic antigen of Schistosoma japonicum that is expressed in the adult worm stage. This antigen is in the parasite’s tegument, which is in direct contact with the host’s blood. The 5D, 22.6kDa membrane-associated antigen is recognized by the host immune system and induces a Th1-type immune response, which is associated with protective immunity against schistosomiasis.

Antigen Sj32: Antigen Sj32 is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein that is expressed in the adult stage of Schistosoma japonicum. It is secreted by the worm and is thought to play a role in the modulation of the host immune response. This protein has also been identified as a potential vaccine candidate.

Eggshell Protein 2A and Major Egg Antigen: Eggshell protein 2A and major egg antigen are proteins found in the egg stage of Schistosoma japonicum. These proteins are highly immunogenic and are thought to be involved in the protection of the developing egg from the host immune system. Both proteins have been identified as potential targets for vaccine development.

Circulating Cathodic Antigen: Circulating cathodic antigen (CCA) is a glycoprotein found in the adult stage of Schistosoma japonicum. It is secreted by the worm and can be detected in the blood and urine of infected individuals. CCA has been used as a diagnostic tool for schistosomiasis and is also being investigated as a potential target for vaccine development.

ELAV-Like Protein 1 (Hu-Antigen R): ELAV-like protein 1 (Hu-antigen R) is a protein found in the adult stage of Schistosoma japonicum. It is thought to play a role in the regulation of gene expression and has been identified as a potential vaccine candidate.

Schistosoma japonicum cDNA and recombinant antigens can be used to develop a variety of diagnostic tools and treatments for schistosomiasis. Diagnostic tools such as ELISA and Western blot assays are commonly used to detect antibodies against Schistosoma japonicum antigens in patient samples. These assays can be used to diagnose schistosomiasis in both humans and animals.

Recombinant antigens can also be used to develop vaccines for schistosomiasis. These vaccines are typically composed of a mixture of antigens from Schistosoma japonicum and other schistosome species, which have been shown to elicit a protective immune response. Vaccines are an important tool for controlling schistosomiasis and reducing the burden of the disease globally.

In addition, recombinant antigens can be used to develop drugs that target specific molecules expressed by the parasites. This type of targeted drug therapy can be used to treat schistosomiasis and reduce the risk of severe complications.

The use of recombinant proteins/cDNA in academic research and therapeutic applications has skyrocketed. However, in heterologous expression systems, successful recombinant protein expression is dependent on a variety of factors, including codon preference, RNA secondary structure, and GC content. When compared to pre-optimization, more and more experimental results demonstrated that the expression level was dramatically increased, ranging from two to hundred times depending on the gene. Bioclone has created a proprietary technology platform that has resulted in the creation of over 6,000 artificially synthesized codon-optimized cDNA clones (cloned in E. coli expression Vector), which are ready for production of the recombinant proteins.