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Qi W, Yu Y, Yang C, Wang X, Jiang Y, Zhang L, Yu Z. Nanospheres as the delivery vehicle: novel application of Toxoplasma gondii ribosomal protein S2 in PLGA and chitosan nanospheres against acute toxoplasmosis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1475280. [PMID: 39416787 PMCID: PMC11480959 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1475280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 10/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a zoonotic disease that poses great harm to humans and animals. So far, no effective T. gondii vaccine has been developed to provide fully protection against such parasites. Recently, numerous researches have focused on the use of poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and chitosan (CS) for the vaccines against T. gondii infections. In this study, we employed PLGA and CS as the vehicles for T. gondii ribosome protein (TgRPS2) delivery. TgRPS2-PLGA and TgRPS2-CS nanospheres were synthesized by double emulsion solvent evaporation and ionic gelation technique as the nano vaccines. Before immunization in animals, the release efficacy and toxicity of the synthesized nanospheres were evaluated in vitro. Then, ICR mice were immunized intramuscularly, and immune protections of the synthesized nanospheres were assessed. The results showed that TgRPS2-PLGA and TgRPS2-CS nanospheres could induce higher levels of IgG and cytokines, activate dendritic cells, and promote the expression of histocompatibility complexes. The splenic lymphocyte proliferation and the enhancement in the proportion of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes were also observed in immunized animals. In addition, two types of nanospheres could significantly inhabit the replications of T. gondii in cardiac muscles and spleen tissues. All these obtained results in this study demonstrated that the TgRPS2 protein delivered by PLGA or CS nanospheres provided satisfactory immunoprotective effects in resisting T. gondii, and such formulations illustrated potential as prospective preventive agents for toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- WeiYu Qi
- College of animal science and technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - YouLi Yu
- Institute of Animal Science, Ningxia Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Science, Yinchuan, China
| | - ChenChen Yang
- College of animal science and technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - XiaoJuan Wang
- College of animal science and technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - YuChen Jiang
- College of animal science and technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Li Zhang
- College of animal science and technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - ZhengQing Yu
- College of animal science and technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
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Sołowińska K, Holec-Gąsior L. Single Cell Expression Systems for the Production of Recombinant Proteins for Immunodiagnosis and Immunoprophylaxis of Toxoplasmosis. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1731. [PMID: 39203573 PMCID: PMC11357668 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12081731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis represents a significant public health and veterinary concern due to its widespread distribution, zoonotic transmission, and potential for severe health impacts in susceptible individuals and animal populations. The ability to design and produce recombinant proteins with precise antigenic properties is fundamental, as they serve as tools for accurate disease detection and effective immunization strategies, contributing to improved healthcare outcomes and disease control. Most commonly, a prokaryotic expression system is employed for the production of both single antigens and multi-epitope chimeric proteins; however, the cloning strategies, bacterial strain, vector, and expression conditions vary. Moreover, literature reports show the use of alternative microbial systems such as yeast or Leishmania tarentolae. This review provides an overview of the methods and strategies employed for the production of recombinant Toxoplasma gondii antigenic proteins for the serological detection of T. gondii infection and vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucyna Holec-Gąsior
- Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, 11/12 Narutowicza Str., 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland;
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Brito C, Lourenço C, Magalhães J, Reis S, Borges M. Nanoparticles as a Delivery System of Antigens for the Development of an Effective Vaccine against Toxoplasma gondii. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11040733. [PMID: 37112645 PMCID: PMC10142924 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11040733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanoparticles include particles ranging in size from nanometers to micrometers, whose physicochemical characteristics are optimized to make them appropriate delivery vehicles for drugs or immunogens important in the fight and/or prevention of infectious diseases. There has been a rise in the use of nanoparticles in preventive vaccine formulations as immunostimulatory adjuvants, and as vehicles for immunogen delivery to target immune cells. Toxoplasma is important worldwide, and may cause human toxoplasmosis. In immunocompetent hosts, infection is usually asymptomatic, but in immunocompromised patients it can cause serious neurological and ocular consequences, such as encephalitis and retinochoroiditis. Primary infection during pregnancy may cause abortion or congenital toxoplasmosis. Currently, there is no effective human vaccine against this disease. Evidence has emerged from several experimental studies testing nanovaccines showing them to be promising tools in the prevention of experimental toxoplasmosis. For the present study, a literature review was carried out on articles published over the last 10 years through the PubMed database, pertaining to in vivo experimental models of T. gondii infection where nanovaccines were tested and protection and immune responses evaluated. This review aims to highlight the way forward in the search for an effective vaccine for toxoplasmosis.
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Khan S, Cable J, Younus M, Rashid MI, Hailer F, Akbar H. IEg67 kDa Bovine Hydatid Cyst Antigen: A Candidate for Developing Sero-Diagnostic Assays for Cystic Echinococcosis, a Disease of One Health Importance. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13050866. [PMID: 36899724 PMCID: PMC10000060 DOI: 10.3390/ani13050866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic echinococcosis (hydatidosis) is a world-wide zoonotic disease of mainly humans, livestock and dogs, caused by Echinococcus granulosus. The disease can negatively impact food production and animal welfare and causes socio-economic hardship. Here, we aimed to identify the local bovine hydatid cyst fluid (BHCF) antigen for developing a sero-diagnostic assay to be used for the pre-slaughter screening of food animals. In total, 264 bovines approved for slaughter in Pakistan were subjected to serum collection and post-mortem screening for hydatid cysts. These cysts were assessed microscopically to assess fertility and viability, and by PCR for molecular confirmation of species. A BHCF antigen was identified from positive sera via SDS-PAGE, confirmed by Western blot, and quantified via a bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay. The quantified crude BHCF antigen (iEg67 kDa) was then used in ELISA screening to test all sera collected from known positive and negative animals based on hydatid cyst presence/absence. Of the 264 bovines examined, 38 (14.4%) showed hydatid cysts during post-mortem examination. All of these individuals, plus an additional 14 (total: 52; 19.6%) tested positive based on less time-consuming ELISA examination. Based on ELISA, occurrence in females (18.8%) was significantly higher than in males (9.2%) and was higher in cattle (19.5%) compared to buffalo (9.5%). The infection rate increased with age in both host species: cumulatively, 3.6% in animals aged 2-3 years, 14.6% in 4-5-year-olds and 25.6% in 6-7-year-olds. The occurrence of cysts in cattle was significantly higher in the lungs (14.1%) compared to their livers (5.5%), whereas the opposite was true in buffalo (6.6% livers, 2.9% lungs). For both host species, most cysts in the lungs were fertile (65%), while the majority in the liver were sterile (71.4%). We conclude that the identified iEg67 kDa antigen is a strong candidate for the development of a sero-diagnostic screening assay for the pre-slaughter diagnosis of hydatidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakandar Khan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animals Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Jo Cable
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Muhammad Younus
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Narowal, Sub-Campus, University of Veterinary and Animals Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Imran Rashid
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animals Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Frank Hailer
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Haroon Akbar
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animals Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
- Correspondence:
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Mamaghani AJ, Fathollahi A, Arab-Mazar Z, kohansal K, Fathollahi M, Spotin A, Bashiri H, Bozorgomid A. Toxoplasma gondii vaccine candidates: a concise review. Ir J Med Sci 2023; 192:231-261. [PMID: 35394635 PMCID: PMC8992420 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-022-02998-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. It has been shown that the severity of symptoms depends on the functioning of the host immune system. Although T. gondii infection typically does not lead to severe disease in healthy people and after infection, it induces a stable immunity, but it can contribute to severe and even lethal Toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised individuals (AIDS, bone marrow transplant and neoplasia). The antigens that have been proposed to be used in vaccine candidate in various studies include surface antigens and secretory excretions that have been synthesized and evaluated in different studies. In some studies, secretory antigens play an important role in stimulating the host immune response. Various antigens such as SAG, GRA, ROP, ROM, and MAG have been from different strains of T. gondii have been synthesized and their protective effects have been evaluated in animal models in different vaccine platforms including recombinant antigens, nanoparticles, and DNA vaccine. Four bibliographic databases including Science Direct, PubMed Central (PMC), Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched for articles published up to 2020.The current review article focuses on recent studies on the use and usefulness of recombinant antigens, nanoparticles, and DNA vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirreza Javadi Mamaghani
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Anwar Fathollahi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Arab-Mazar
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kobra kohansal
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Medicine, Jondishapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Matin Fathollahi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Adel Spotin
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Homayoon Bashiri
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Arezoo Bozorgomid
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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Nayeri T, Sarvi S, Fasihi-Ramandi M, Valadan R, Asgarian-Omran H, Ajami A, Khalilian A, Hosseininejad Z, Dodangeh S, Javidnia J, Daryani A. Enhancement of immune responses by vaccine potential of three antigens, including ROP18, MIC4, and SAG1 against acute toxoplasmosis in mice. Exp Parasitol 2022; 244:108427. [PMID: 36379272 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) causes considerable financial losses in the livestock industry and can present serious threats to pregnant women, as well as immunocompromised patients. Therefore, it is required to design and produce an efficient vaccine for controlling toxoplasmosis. The present study aimed to evaluate the protective immunity induced by RMS protein (ROP18, MIC4, and SAG1) with Freund adjuvant, calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CaPNs), and chitosan nanoparticles (CNs) in BALB/c mice. The RMS protein was expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) and purified using a HisTrap HP column. Thereafter, cellular and humoral immunity was assessed by injecting RMS protein on days 0, 21, and 35 into four groups [RMS, RMS-chitosan nanoparticles (RMS-CNs), RMS-calcium phosphate nanoparticles (RMS-CaPNs), and RMS-Freund]. Phosphate buffered saline (PBS), CNs, CaPNs, and Freund served as the four control groups. The results displayed that vaccination with RMS protein and adjuvants significantly elicited the levels of specific IgG antibodies and cytokines against toxoplasmosis. There were high levels of total IgG, IgG2a, and IFN-γ in vaccinated mice, compared to those in the control groups, especially in the RMS-Freund, indicating a Th-1 type response. The vaccinated and control mice were challenged intraperitoneally with 1 × 103 tachyzoites of the T. gondii RH strain four weeks after the last injection, and in RMS-Freund and RMS-CaPNs groups, the highest increase in survival time was observed (15 days). The RMS can significantly increase Th1 and Th2 responses; moreover, multi-epitope vaccines with adjuvants can be a promising strategy for the production of a vaccine against toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tooran Nayeri
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mahdi Fasihi-Ramandi
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Valadan
- Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Hossein Asgarian-Omran
- Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Abolghasem Ajami
- Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Alireza Khalilian
- Department of Biostatistics and Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Zahra Hosseininejad
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Samira Dodangeh
- Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Javad Javidnia
- Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
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Allahyari M. PLGA Nanoparticles as an Efficient Platform in Protein Vaccines Against Toxoplasma gondii. Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:582-591. [PMID: 35013939 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00499-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) as an obligatory intracellular is widespread all over the world and causes considerable concerns in immunocompromised patients by developing toxoplasmic encephalitis and in pregnancy because of serious consequences in the fetus. Although vaccination is the only approach to overcome toxoplasmosis, there is no commercially available human vaccine against T. gondii. PURPOSE The remarkable features of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) particles have brought up the application of PLGA as a promising vaccine delivery vehicle against T. gondii and other intracellular parasites. This review focuses on the application of the PLGA delivery system in the development of preventive vaccines against T. gondii. METHODS In this study, all required data were collected from articles indexed in English databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. RESULT Immunity against T. gondii, characteristics of PLGA particles as a delivery vehicle, and all researches on particulate PLGA vaccines with different T. gondii antigens and DNA against were discussed and their efficacies in conferring protection against a lethal challenge based on increased survival or reduced brain cyst loads have been shown. CONCLUSION Although various levels of protection against lethal challenge have been achieved through PLGA-based vaccinations, there is still no complete protection against T. gondii infection. Surprisingly, the application of surface modifications of PLGA particles by mucoadhesive polymers, cationic agents, DCs (dendritic cells) targeting receptors, specialized membranous epithelial cells (M-cells), and co-delivery of the desired antigen along with toll-like receptor ligands would be a revolutionized vaccine strategy against T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojgan Allahyari
- Recombinant Protein Production Department, Production and Research Complex, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Karaj, Iran.
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Abstract
A favorable outcome of the COVID-19 crisis might be achieved with massive vaccination. The proposed vaccines contain several different vaccine active principles (VAP), such as inactivated virus, antigen, mRNA, and DNA, which are associated with either standard adjuvants or nanomaterials (NM) such as liposomes in Moderna's and BioNTech/Pfizer's vaccines. COVID-19 vaccine adjuvants may be chosen among liposomes or other types of NM composed for example of graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, micelles, exosomes, membrane vesicles, polymers, or metallic NM, taking inspiration from cancer nano-vaccines, whose adjuvants may share some of their properties with those of viral vaccines. The mechanisms of action of nano-adjuvants are based on the facilitation by NM of targeting certain regions of immune interest such as the mucus, lymph nodes, and zones of infection or blood irrigation, the possible modulation of the type of attachment of the VAP to NM, in particular VAP positioning on the NM external surface to favor VAP presentation to antigen presenting cells (APC) or VAP encapsulation within NM to prevent VAP degradation, and the possibility to adjust the nature of the immune response by tuning the physico-chemical properties of NM such as their size, surface charge, or composition. The use of NM as adjuvants or the presence of nano-dimensions in COVID-19 vaccines does not only have the potential to improve the vaccine benefit/risk ratio, but also to reduce the dose of vaccine necessary to reach full efficacy. It could therefore ease the overall spread of COVID-19 vaccines within a sufficiently large portion of the world population to exit the current crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edouard Alphandéry
- Sorbonne Université, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, UMR CNRS 7590, IRD, Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie, IMPMC, 75005 Paris, France. .,Nanobacterie SARL, 36 Boulevard Flandrin, 75116, Paris, France.,Institute of Anatomy, UZH University of Zurich, Instiute of Anatomy, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
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Smith NC, Goulart C, Hayward JA, Kupz A, Miller CM, van Dooren GG. Control of human toxoplasmosis. Int J Parasitol 2020; 51:95-121. [PMID: 33347832 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an apicomplexan parasite that is able to infect any nucleated cell in any warm-blooded animal. Toxoplasma gondii infects around 2 billion people and, whilst only a small percentage of infected people will suffer serious disease, the prevalence of the parasite makes it one of the most damaging zoonotic diseases in the world. Toxoplasmosis is a disease with multiple manifestations: it can cause a fatal encephalitis in immunosuppressed people; if first contracted during pregnancy, it can cause miscarriage or congenital defects in the neonate; and it can cause serious ocular disease, even in immunocompetent people. The disease has a complex epidemiology, being transmitted by ingestion of oocysts that are shed in the faeces of definitive feline hosts and contaminate water, soil and crops, or by consumption of intracellular cysts in undercooked meat from intermediate hosts. In this review we examine current and future approaches to control toxoplasmosis, which encompass a variety of measures that target different components of the life cycle of T. gondii. These include: education programs about the parasite and avoidance of contact with infectious stages; biosecurity and sanitation to ensure food and water safety; chemo- and immunotherapeutics to control active infections and disease; prophylactic options to prevent acquisition of infection by livestock and cyst formation in meat; and vaccines to prevent shedding of oocysts by definitive feline hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas C Smith
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia; Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.
| | - Cibelly Goulart
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia; Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
| | - Jenni A Hayward
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
| | - Andreas Kupz
- Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia
| | - Catherine M Miller
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Science, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia
| | - Giel G van Dooren
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
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Yu Z, Zhou T, Luo Y, Dong L, Li C, Liu J, Luo J, Yan R, Xu L, Song X, Li X. Modulation Effects of Toxoplasma gondii Histone H2A1 on Murine Macrophages and Encapsulation with Polymer as a Vaccine Candidate. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8040731. [PMID: 33287313 PMCID: PMC7761694 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is the most common zoonotic protozoa and has infected about one-third of the population worldwide. Recombinant epitopes encapsulated in nanospheres have advantages over traditional T. gondii vaccines. For an efficient delivery system, poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and chitosan are the most frequently used biodegradable polymeric nanospheres with strong safety profiles. In the present study, we first expressed and purified histone H2A1 of T. gondii using the prokaryotic expression system. The effects of recombinant TgH2A1 on the functions of murine macrophages were then studied. Purified recombinant TgH2A1 was then encapsulated in nanospheres with PLGA and chitosan. After subcutaneous vaccination in mice, the immune response was evaluated by double antibody sandwich ELISA kits. The results from this study showed that PLGA and chitosan loaded with rTgH2A1 could trigger a stronger Th1 oriented immune response and prolong the survival time of mice effectively. In conclusion, PLGA and chitosan nanospheres loaded with histone H2A1 are an effective method for the development of vaccines against T. gondii. Further studies should focus on evaluating the regulatory mechanism of TgH2A1, vaccine potency, and cellular response in chronic T. gondii infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengqing Yu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (Z.Y.); (T.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.D.); (C.L.); (R.Y.); (L.X.); (X.S.)
| | - Tianyuan Zhou
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (Z.Y.); (T.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.D.); (C.L.); (R.Y.); (L.X.); (X.S.)
| | - Yanxin Luo
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (Z.Y.); (T.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.D.); (C.L.); (R.Y.); (L.X.); (X.S.)
| | - Lu Dong
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (Z.Y.); (T.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.D.); (C.L.); (R.Y.); (L.X.); (X.S.)
| | - Chunjing Li
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (Z.Y.); (T.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.D.); (C.L.); (R.Y.); (L.X.); (X.S.)
| | - Junlong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China; (J.L.); (J.L.)
| | - Jianxun Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China; (J.L.); (J.L.)
| | - Ruofeng Yan
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (Z.Y.); (T.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.D.); (C.L.); (R.Y.); (L.X.); (X.S.)
| | - Lixin Xu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (Z.Y.); (T.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.D.); (C.L.); (R.Y.); (L.X.); (X.S.)
| | - Xiaokai Song
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (Z.Y.); (T.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.D.); (C.L.); (R.Y.); (L.X.); (X.S.)
| | - Xiangrui Li
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (Z.Y.); (T.Z.); (Y.L.); (L.D.); (C.L.); (R.Y.); (L.X.); (X.S.)
- Correspondence:
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11
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Li ZY, Guo HT, Calderón-Mantilla G, He JJ, Wang JL, Bonev BB, Zhu XQ, Elsheikha HM. Immunostimulatory efficacy and protective potential of putative TgERK7 protein in mice experimentally infected by Toxoplasma gondii. Int J Med Microbiol 2020; 310:151432. [PMID: 32654774 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2020.151432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) serve as important determinants of cellular signal transduction pathways, and hence may play important roles during infections. Previous work suggested that putative ERK7 of Toxoplasma gondii is required for efficient intracellular replication of the parasite. However, the antigenic and immunostimulatory properties of TgERK7 protein remain unknown. The objective of this study was to produce a recombinant TgERK7 protein in vitro and to evaluate its effect on the induction of humoral and T cell-mediated immune responses against T. gondii infection in BALB/c mice. Immunization using TgERK7 mixed with Freund's adjuvants significantly increased the ratio of CD3e+CD4+ T/CD3e+CD8a+ T lymphocytes in spleen and elevated serum cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-23, MCP-1, and TNF-α) in immunized mice compared to control mice. On the contrary, immunization did not induce high levels of serum IgG antibodies. Five predicted peptides of TgERK7 were synthesized and conjugated with KLH and used to analyze the antibody specificity in the sera of immunized mice. We detected a progressive increase in the antibody level only against TgERK7 peptide A (DEVDKHVLRKYD). Antibody raised against this peptide significantly decreased intracellular proliferation of T. gondii in vitro, suggesting that peptide A can potentially induce a protective antibody response. We also showed that immunization improved the survival rate of mice challenged with a virulent strain and significantly reduced the parasite cyst burden within the brains of chronically infected mice. Our data show that TgERK7-based immunization induced TgERK7 peptide A-specific immune responses that can impart protective immunity against T. gondii infection. The therapeutic potential of targeting ERK7 signaling pathway for future toxoplasmosis treatment is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Yuan Li
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, College of Basic Medicine, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541199, China; State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, China; College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Hai-Ting Guo
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, College of Basic Medicine, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541199, China
| | - Guillermo Calderón-Mantilla
- Universidad de La Sabana, Campus del Puente del Común, Km. 7, Autopista Norte de Bogotá. Chía, Cundinamarca, Colombia
| | - Jun-Jun He
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, China
| | - Jin-Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, China
| | - Boyan B Bonev
- School of life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, China.
| | - Hany M Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK.
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12
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Toxoplasma gondii secretory proteins and their role in invasion and pathogenesis. Microbiol Res 2019; 227:126293. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2019.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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13
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Luo J, Wan J, Tang Z, Shen S. Identification of novel antigens for serum IgG diagnosis of human toxoplasmosis. Exp Parasitol 2019; 204:107722. [PMID: 31279928 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2019.107722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, we attempted to identify antigens with high sensitivity and specificity for the serological diagnosis of human toxoplasmosis. We investigated soluble proteins from the tachyzoites of the RH strain of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and excreted/secreted antigens (ESAs) from the peritoneal protein of T. gondii-infected mice. One-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and western blot analysis revealed that in both soluble tachyzoite antigens and ESAs, the antigens located between 25 and 35 kDa had high diagnostic sensitivity. Further analysis of antigenic specificity revealed that the antigens located between 25 and 35 kDa were specifically recognized by the sera of toxoplasmosis patients, but other parasitic diseases were not. The protein spots between 25 and 35 kDa were selected after two-dimensional electrophoresis of both soluble tachyzoite antigens and ESAs. GRA2, GRA7, and triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) were successfully characterized from the protein spots using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectroscopy analysis. We expressed, purified, and evaluated proteins GRA2, GRA7, and TPI. TPI is a novel antigen with potential for the serological diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, and composite recombinant proteins (TPI, GRA2, and GRA7) have great sera diagnostic value for the detection of the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juntao Luo
- Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital East Affiliated to Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education, College of Fisheries and Life Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Jingyi Wan
- Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Ziru Tang
- Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Shuang Shen
- Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital East Affiliated to Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201306, China.
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14
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Abdel-Wareth MTA, El-Hagrassi AM, Abdel-Aziz MS, Nasr SM, Ghareeb MA. Biological activities of endozoic fungi isolated from Biomphalaria alexandrina snails maintained in different environmental conditions. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/00207233.2019.1620535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marwa T. A. Abdel-Wareth
- Environmental Research and Medical Malacology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ali M. El-Hagrassi
- Phytochemistry and Plant Systematic Department, Pharmaceutical Industries Division, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mohamed S. Abdel-Aziz
- Microbial Chemistry Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Division, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Sami M. Nasr
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mosad A. Ghareeb
- Medicinal Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
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15
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Huang SY, Chen K, Wang JL, Yang B, Zhu XQ. Evaluation of protective immunity induced by recombinant calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 (TgCDPK1) protein against acute toxoplasmosis in mice. Microb Pathog 2019; 133:103560. [PMID: 31145981 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular zoonotic parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, which can cause economic losses and serious public health problems worldwide. A member of the T. gondii calcium-dependent protein kinases family, TgCDPK1 was recently identified as an essential regulator of exocytosis in T. gondii, and participated in direct parasite motility, host-cell invasion and egress. In the present study, the protective immunity of recombinant TgCDPK1 protein (rTgCDPK1) was evaluated against acute toxoplasmosis in mice. rTgCDPK1 were expressed and purified, BABL/c mice were intraperitoneally immunized with rTgCDPK1 and challenged with the highly virulent RH strain of T. gondii. The specific immune responses were analyzed by measuring the cytokine and serum antibody, and lymphocyte proliferation assays, flow cytometry of lymphocytes and the survival curve were employed to evaluate the protective efficacy. From the results we found that special humoral and cellular responses could be elicited in vaccine mice, and higher level of IgG antibody, and the significant increased levels of Th1-type cytokines IFN-γ, IL-12 (p70), IL10 and CD3+CD4+CD8- and CD3+CD8+CD4- T cells could also be detected comparing to control mice (P < 0.05). All vaccinated mice prolonged survival time (14.90 ± 2.89 days) challenge with 1000 tachyzoites of RH, while the control mice died within 8 days. These results indicated that TgCDPK1 protein was a potential vaccine candidate against acute toxoplasmosis.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Protozoan/blood
- Antigens, Protozoan/genetics
- Antigens, Protozoan/immunology
- Cloning, Molecular
- Cytokines/metabolism
- Female
- Genes, Protozoan/genetics
- Immunity, Cellular
- Immunity, Humoral
- Immunization
- Immunoglobulin G/blood
- Lymphocytes/immunology
- Mice
- Protein Kinases/genetics
- Protein Kinases/immunology
- Protozoan Proteins/genetics
- Protozoan Proteins/immunology
- Recombinant Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Proteins/immunology
- Spleen/immunology
- Survival Analysis
- Toxoplasma/genetics
- Toxoplasma/immunology
- Toxoplasmosis, Animal/immunology
- Toxoplasmosis, Animal/prevention & control
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yang Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, and Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, 225009, PR China.
| | - Kai Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, PR China
| | - Jin-Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, PR China
| | - Bin Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, and Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, 225009, PR China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, and Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, 225009, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, PR China
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16
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Foroutan M, Ghaffarifar F, Sharifi Z, Dalimi A, Jorjani O. Rhoptry antigens as Toxoplasma gondii vaccine target. Clin Exp Vaccine Res 2019; 8:4-26. [PMID: 30775347 PMCID: PMC6369123 DOI: 10.7774/cevr.2019.8.1.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a cosmopolitan zoonotic infection, caused by a unicellular protozoan parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii that belongs to the phylum Apicomplexa. It is estimated that over one-third of the world's population has been exposed and are latently infected with the parasite. In humans, toxoplasmosis is predominantly asymptomatic in immunocompetent persons, while among immunocompromised individuals may be cause severe and progressive complications with poor prognosis. Moreover, seronegative pregnant mothers are other risk groups for acquiring the infection. The life cycle of T. gondii is very complex, indicating the presence of a plurality of antigenic epitopes. Despite of great advances, recognize and construct novel vaccines for prevent and control of toxoplasmosis in both humans and animals is still remains a great challenge for researchers to select potential protein sequences as the ideal antigens. Notably, in several past years, constant efforts of researchers have made considerable advances to elucidate the different aspects of the cell and molecular biology of T. gondii mainly on microneme antigens, dense granule antigens, surface antigens, and rhoptry proteins (ROP). These attempts thereby provided great impetus to the present focus on vaccine development, according to the defined subcellular components of the parasite. Although, currently there is no commercial vaccine for use in humans. Among the main identified T. gondii antigens, ROPs appear as a putative vaccine candidate that are vital for invasion procedure as well as survival within host cells. Overall, it is estimated that they occupy about 1%–30% of the total parasite cell volume. In this review, we have summarized the recent progress of ROP-based vaccine development through various strategies from DNA vaccines, epitope or multi epitope-based vaccines, recombinant protein vaccines to vaccines based on live-attenuated vectors and prime-boost strategies in different mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoud Foroutan
- Abadan School of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran.,Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ghaffarifar
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zohreh Sharifi
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdolhosein Dalimi
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ogholniaz Jorjani
- Laboratory Science Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
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17
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Roozbehani M, Falak R, Mohammadi M, Hemphill A, Razmjou E, Meamar AR, Masoori L, Khoshmirsafa M, Moradi M, Gharavi MJ. Characterization of a multi-epitope peptide with selective MHC-binding capabilities encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles as a novel vaccine candidate against Toxoplasma gondii infection. Vaccine 2018; 36:6124-6132. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.08.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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18
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Chu JQ, Huang S, Ye W, Fan XY, Huang R, Ye SC, Yu CY, Wu WY, Zhou Y, Zhou W, Lee YH, Quan JH. Evaluation of Protective Immune Response Induced by a DNA Vaccine Encoding GRA8 against Acute Toxoplasmosis in a Murine Model. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2018; 56:325-334. [PMID: 30196664 PMCID: PMC6137303 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2018.56.4.325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan zoonotic protozoan parasite that infects most species of warm-blooded animals, including humans. The heavy incidence and severe or lethal damage caused by T. gondii infection clearly indicate a need for the development of an effective vaccine. T. gondii GRA8 is a member of the dense granules protein family and is used as a marker of acute infection. In the present study, we evaluated the protective immunity induced by DNA vaccination based on a recombinant eukaryotic plasmid, pDsRed2-GRA8, against acute toxoplasmosis in mice. BALB/c mice were intramuscularly immunized with the pDsRed2-GRA8 plasmid and then challenged by infection with the highly virulent GFP-RH strain of T. gondii. The specific immune responses and protective efficacy against T. gondii of this vaccine were analyzed by measuring cytokine and serum antibody titers, splenocyte proliferation assays, and the survival times of mice after challenge. Our results showed that mice immunized with pDsRed2-GRA8 demonstrated specific humoral and cellular responses, induced higher IgG antibody titers with predominant IgG2a production; increased levels of IL-10, IL-12 (p70), IFN-γ, TNF-α, and splenocyte proliferation; and prolonged survival times compared to those of control mice. The present study showed that DNA immunization with pDsRed2-GRA8 induced humoral and cellular immune responses, and all immunized mice showed greater Th1-type immune responses and longer survival times than those of control mice. These results indicated that T. gondii GRA8 DNA immunization induces a partial protective effect against acute toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Qi Chu
- Stem Cell Research and Cellular Therapy Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, China
| | - Shuai Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, China
| | - Wei Ye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, China
| | - Xuan-Yan Fan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, China
| | - Rui Huang
- Stem Cell Research and Cellular Therapy Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, China
| | - Shi-Cai Ye
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, China
| | - Cai-Yuan Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, China
| | - Wei-Yun Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, China
| | - Yu Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Institute of Immunology, Taishan Medical College, Tai’an, Shandong 271000, China
| | - Young-Ha Lee
- Department of Infection Biology and Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon 35015, Korea
| | - Juan-Hua Quan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524001, China
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19
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Zhou J, Wang W, Song P, Wang L, Han Y, Guo J, Hao Z, Zhu X, Zhou Q, Du X, Lu G, He S, Luo Y. Structural predication and antigenic analysis of Toxoplasma gondii ROP20. Acta Parasitol 2018; 63:244-251. [PMID: 29654679 DOI: 10.1515/ap-2018-0028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infects almost all the warm-blooded animals. ROP20 protein is expressed in the rhoptry of Toxoplasma gondii. In this study, the secondary structure of ROP20 was analyzed using SMART software. We constructed and analyzed the 3D model of ROP20 protein using SWISS-MODEL online procedure and Visual Molecular Dynamics (VMD) software. The structure analysis fully indicated that ROP20 protein is an important member of the ROP family. Furthermore, We used DNASTAR software and Epitope Database online service to analyze liner-B cell epitopes and T-cell epitopes of ROP20 protein. All the analysis results of ROP20 protein can provide positive information on treatment and vaccine for toxoplasmosis. Moreover, ROP20 gene was obtained from PCR, and a recombinant eukaryotic expression vector (pEGFP-C1-ROP20) was constructed in the following study. After restriction enzyme digestion, the constructed plasmid was transfected into HEK 293-T cells. The RT-PCR result indicated that the recombinant plasmid could transcribe successfully in HEK 293-T cell. The results of western blotting indicated the expressed proteins can be recognized by anti-STAg mouse sera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, People's Republic of China
- Department of Sports Medicine Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008 People's Republic of China
| | - Wanchun Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengxia Song
- Department of Medicine, Quzhou College of Technology, Quzhou, Zhejiang 324000, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Electroneurophysiology, Jinan Children's Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250022, People's Republic of China
| | - Yali Han
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingjing Guo
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen Hao
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi Zhu
- Department of Lymphoma and Hematology, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, Hunan 410000, People's Republic of China
- University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiong Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, The Fourth Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, Hunan 410006, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiadong Du
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Lu
- Department of Pathology, Taishan Medical College, Taian, Shandong 271000, People's Republic of China
| | - Shenyi He
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingquan Luo
- Department of Geriatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, People's Republic of China
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20
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Naeem H, Sana M, Islam S, Khan M, Riaz F, Zafar Z, Akbar H, Shehzad W, Rashid I. Induction of Th1 type-oriented humoral response through intranasal immunization of mice with SAG1-Toxoplasma gondii polymeric nanospheres. ARTIFICIAL CELLS NANOMEDICINE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 2018; 46:1025-1034. [PMID: 29873522 DOI: 10.1080/21691401.2018.1478421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
About one-third of the world population is prone to have infection with T. gondii, which can cause toxoplasmosis in the developing fetus and in people whose immune system is compromised through disease or chemotherapy. Surface antigen-1 (SAG1) is the candidate of vaccine against toxoplasmosis. Recent advances in biotechnology and nano-pharmaceuticals have made possible to formulate nanospheres of recombinant protein, which are suitable for sub-unit vaccine delivery. In current study, the local strain was obtained from cat feces as toxoplasma oocysts. Amplified 957 bp of SAG1 was cloned into pGEM-T and further sub-cloned into pET28-SAG1. BL21 bacteria were induced at different concentrations of isopropyl β-d-1-thiogalactopyranoside for the expression of rSAG1 protein. An immunoblot was developed for the confirmation of recombinant protein expression at 35 kDa that was actually recognized by anti-HIS antibodies and sera were collected from infected mice. PLGA encapsulated nanospheres of recombinant SAG1 were characterized through scanning electron microscopy. Experimental mice were intraperitoneally immunized with rSAG1 protein and intra-nasally immunized with nanosphere. The immune response was evaluated by indirect ELISA. In results intra-nasally administered rSAG1 in nanospheres appeared to elicit elevated responses of specific IgA and IgG2a than in control. Nanospheres of rSAG1 are found to be a bio-compatible candidate for the development of vaccine against T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huma Naeem
- a Department of Parasitology , University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences , Lahore , Pakistan
| | - Madiha Sana
- a Department of Parasitology , University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences , Lahore , Pakistan
| | - Saher Islam
- b Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology , University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences , Lahore , Pakistan
| | - Matiullah Khan
- a Department of Parasitology , University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences , Lahore , Pakistan
| | - Farooq Riaz
- a Department of Parasitology , University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences , Lahore , Pakistan
| | - Zunaira Zafar
- b Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology , University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences , Lahore , Pakistan
| | - Haroon Akbar
- a Department of Parasitology , University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences , Lahore , Pakistan
| | - Wasim Shehzad
- b Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology , University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences , Lahore , Pakistan
| | - Imran Rashid
- a Department of Parasitology , University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences , Lahore , Pakistan
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21
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Chen Y, Yu M, Hemandez JA, Li J, Yuan ZG, Yan H. Immuno-efficacy of DNA vaccines encoding PLP1 and ROP18 against experimental Toxoplasma gondii infection in mice. Exp Parasitol 2018; 188:73-78. [PMID: 29626423 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2018.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We constructed a new plasmid pIRESneo/ROP18/PLP1 that was injected intramuscularly into Kunming mice to evaluate its immune efficacy. The immunized mice exhibited significantly increased serum IgG2a levels, lymphocyte counts and Th1-type cytokine (IL-2, IL-12 and IFN-γ) levels. Moreover, the immunized mice exhibited longer survival times (44.7 ± 2.1 days for ROP18/PLP1 and 47.2 ± 2.9 days for ROP18/PLP1 + IL-18) and lower brain cyst burden (68.9% for ROP18/PLP1 and 72.4% for ROP18/PLP1 + IL-18) than control mice after T. gondii challenge. Our results demonstrate that the multiple-gene DNA vaccine including both ROP18 and PLP1 elicits greater protection against T. gondii challenge and stronger immunogenicity than single-gene vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510642, PR China; Key Laboratory of Comprehensive Prevention and Control for Severe Clinical Animal Diseases of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, 510642, PR China
| | - Miao Yu
- Key Laboratory of Oral Medicine, Guangzhou Institute of Oral Disease, Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510140, PR China
| | - J A Hemandez
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Avenue, Gainesville, FL, 32610-0136, USA
| | - Jiexi Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510642, PR China; Key Laboratory of Comprehensive Prevention and Control for Severe Clinical Animal Diseases of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, 510642, PR China
| | - Zi-Guo Yuan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510642, PR China; Key Laboratory of Comprehensive Prevention and Control for Severe Clinical Animal Diseases of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, 510642, PR China; Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, 510642, PR China.
| | - Haikuo Yan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510642, PR China; Key Laboratory of Comprehensive Prevention and Control for Severe Clinical Animal Diseases of Guangdong Province, South China Agricultural University, 510642, PR China; Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, 510642, PR China.
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Foroutan M, Ghaffarifar F. Calcium-dependent protein kinases are potential targets for Toxoplasma gondii vaccine. Clin Exp Vaccine Res 2018; 7:24-36. [PMID: 29399577 PMCID: PMC5795042 DOI: 10.7774/cevr.2018.7.1.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2017] [Revised: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii belongs to the Apicomplexa phylum that caused a widespread zoonotic infection in wide range of intermediate hosts. Over one-third of the world's population are latently infected with T. gondii and carry it. The complex life cycle of T. gondii indicates the presence of a plurality of antigenic epitopes. During the recent years, continuous efforts of scientists have made precious advances to elucidate the different aspects of the cell and molecular biology of T. gondii. Despite of great progresses, the development of vaccine candidates for preventing of T. gondii infection in men and animals is still remains a challenge. The calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) belongs to the superfamily of kinases, which restricted to the apicomplexans, ciliates, and plants. It has been documented that they contribute several functions in the life cycle of T. gondii such as gliding motility, cell invasion, and egress as well as some other critical developmental processes. In current paper, we reviewed the recent progress concerning the development of CDPK-based vaccines against acute and chronic T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoud Foroutan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ghaffarifar
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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Assolini JP, Concato VM, Gonçalves MD, Carloto ACM, Conchon-Costa I, Pavanelli WR, Melanda FN, Costa IN. Nanomedicine advances in toxoplasmosis: diagnostic, treatment, and vaccine applications. Parasitol Res 2017; 116:1603-1615. [PMID: 28477099 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5458-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii that affects about one third of the world's population. The diagnosis of this disease is carried out by parasite isolation and host antibodies detection. However, the diagnosis presents problems in regard to test sensitivity and specificity. Currently, the most effective T. gondii treatment is a combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine, although both drugs are toxic to the host. In addition to the problems that compromise the effective diagnosis and treatment of toxoplasmosis, there are no reports or indications of any vaccine capable of fully protecting against this infection. Nanomaterials, smaller than 1000 nm, are currently being investigated as an alternative tool in the management of T. gondii infection. This article reviews how recent nanotechnology advances indicate the utility of nanomaterials in toxoplasmosis diagnosis, treatment, and vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Paulo Assolini
- Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Laboratório de Parasitologia, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Virginia Márcia Concato
- Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Laboratório de Parasitologia, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Manoela Daiele Gonçalves
- Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Laboratório de Parasitologia, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Ivete Conchon-Costa
- Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Laboratório de Parasitologia, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Wander Rogério Pavanelli
- Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Laboratório de Parasitologia, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Francine Nesello Melanda
- Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Laboratório de Parasitologia, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
| | - Idessania Nazareth Costa
- Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Laboratório de Parasitologia, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil. .,Departamento de Ciências Patológicas - Laboratório de Parasitologia, Universidade Estadual de Londrina-UEL, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Campus Universitário, Cx. Postal 6001, Londrina, PR, 86051-990, Brazil.
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