EXPLORATION OF MUCIN PROTEIN FROM MACROCHLYMUS INDICA AND DETERMINED ITS IMMUNOGENICITY STUDIES

Abstract

Introduction – Mucins are included under the category of high molecular weight (i.e. O-glycosylated) proteins which plays a crucial role with respect to protection, lubrication and acid resistance of the epithelial cell surface. In an effort to examine its mucin protein extracted from abdominal region of snail mucus i.e. Macrochlymus indica and determined its immunogenicity potential against rubella vaccine antigen.

Methods- For these studies, we determined the protein content from snail mucus (Macrochlymus indica) using Nanodrop method. In addition, indirect ELISA was performed using rubella vaccine (live attenuated vaccine) as coating antigen and determined its antibody (IgG) titre using variable doses of mucin protein and also determined its total cellular content including proliferation rate in human whole blood against rubella vaccine antigen.

Results- The results showed that mucin protein showed rapid enhancement in antibody (IgG)titre at lower doses(624 µg)  but also showed some enhancement with respect to total cellular content including proliferation rate (312 µg and 624 µg) as compared to control and standard i.e. rubella vaccine.

Conclusion-Overall, this study suggests that mucin protein of Macrochlymus indica showed immunogenic potential against rubella vaccine antigen.

Keywords: Immunogenicity; Macrochlymus indica; mucin; Nanodrop; ELISA