T and B cell epitope mapping of SM23, an integral membrane protein of Schistosoma mansoni

SM23 is an integral membrane protein of the blood-vessel dwelling parasitic worm Schistosoma mansoni. This protein has been detected with antibodies in all stages of the parasite found in the human host, notably the lung stage, and therefore is of interest as a vaccine candidate. In addition SM23 has been shown to be a member of a proposed new superfamily of membrane proteins whose structures do not conform to the previously known classifications. To date there are 13 members including ME491 (CD63, Pltgp40), CD9 (p23), TAPA-1, CD37, CD53, MRC OX-44, CO-029, MRP-1, L6, the gene product of TI-1, the target of mAb AD-1, SM23, and SJ23 (the Schistosoma japonicum homologue). Most of these molecules except for those in the two blood vessel-dwelling parasites are found in membranes of hemopoietic and/or malignant cells and all have unknown function. In this study we used recombinantly expressed full-length and partial molecules as well as synthesized peptides to map T cell and B cell epitopes of SM23. The two predicted external hydrophilic domains were found to be highly immunogenic and contained several B cell epitopes. There were at least four T cell epitopes in the large hydrophilic domain. One segment of 23 amino acids contained both a T cell and B cell epitope as well as the putative glycosylation site. This particular segment was recognized by immune sera and cells of every mouse strain tested. The elucidation of these epitopes demonstrates the immunogenic nature of this molecule and raises questions as to the role of SM23 in the host/parasite relationship.