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Advances in Babesia Vaccine Development: An Overview. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020300. [PMID: 36839572 PMCID: PMC9962624 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Babesiosis is a tick-borne zoonotic disease, which is caused by various species of intracellular Babesia parasite. It is a problem not only for the livestock industry but also for global health. Significant global economic losses, in particular in cattle production, have been observed. Since the current preventive measures against babesiosis are insufficient, there is increasing pressure to develop a vaccine. In this review, we survey the achievements and recent advances in the creation of antibabesiosis vaccine. The scope of this review includes the development of a vaccine against B. microti, B. bovis, B. bigemina, B. orientalis and B. divergens. Here, we present different strategies in their progress and evaluation. Scientists worldwide are still trying to find new targets for a vaccine that would not only reduce symptoms among animals but also prevent the further spread of the disease. Molecular candidates for the production of a vaccine against various Babesia spp. are presented. Our study also describes the current prospects of vaccine evolution for successful Babesia parasites elimination.
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Al-Nazal H, Low L, Kumar S, Good MF, Stanisic DI. A vaccine for human babesiosis: prospects and feasibility. Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:904-918. [PMID: 35933301 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.07.005] [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: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by intraerythrocytic Babesia parasites. It is a well-known illness in companion animals and livestock, resulting in substantial economic losses in the cattle industry. Babesiosis is also recognized as an emerging zoonosis of humans in many countries worldwide. There is no vaccine against human babesiosis. Currently, preventive measures are focused on vector avoidance. Although not always effective, treatment includes antimicrobial therapy and exchange transfusion. In this review, we discuss the host's immune response to the parasite, vaccines being used to prevent babesiosis in animals, and lessons from malaria vaccine development efforts to inform the development of a human babesiosis vaccine. An effective human vaccine would be a significant advance towards curtailing this rapidly emerging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanan Al-Nazal
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, Australia
| | - Leanne Low
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Sanjai Kumar
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Centre for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Michael F Good
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, Australia
| | - Danielle I Stanisic
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, Australia.
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Ye Z, Ni W, Zhang J, Zhang Y, Yu L, Huang X. Molecular characterization of a profilin gene from a parasitic ciliate Cryptocaryon irritans. Exp Parasitol 2022; 236-237:108248. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Wilkie J, Cameron TC, Beddoe T. Characterization of a profilin-like protein from Fasciola hepatica. PeerJ 2020; 8:e10503. [PMID: 33354436 PMCID: PMC7727368 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Fasciola hepatica is the causative agent of fasciolosis, an important disease of humans and livestock around the world. There is an urgent requirement for novel treatments for F. hepatica due to increasing reports of drug resistance appearing around the world. The outer body covering of F. hepatica is referred to as the tegument membrane which is of crucial importance for the modulation of the host response and parasite survival; therefore, tegument proteins may represent novel drug or vaccine targets. Previous studies have identified a profilin-like protein in the tegument of F. hepatica. Profilin is a regulatory component of the actin cytoskeleton in all eukaryotic cells, and in some protozoan parasites, profilin has been shown to drive a potent IL-12 response. This study characterized the identified profilin form F. hepatica (termed FhProfilin) for the first time. Recombinant expression of FhProfilin resulted in a protein approximately 14 kDa in size which was determined to be dimeric like other profilins isolated from a range of eukaryotic organisms. FhProfilin was shown to bind poly-L-proline (pLp) and sequester actin monomers which is characteristic of the profilin family; however, there was no binding of FhProfilin to phosphatidylinositol lipids. Despite FhProfilin being a component of the tegument, it was shown not to generate an immune response in experimentally infected sheep or cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Wilkie
- Centre for Livestock Interactions with Pathogens (CLiP), La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.,Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Science and Centre for AgriBioscience (AgriBio), La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Timothy C Cameron
- Centre for Livestock Interactions with Pathogens (CLiP), La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.,Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Science and Centre for AgriBioscience (AgriBio), La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Travis Beddoe
- Centre for Livestock Interactions with Pathogens (CLiP), La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.,Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Science and Centre for AgriBioscience (AgriBio), La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
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Wang H, Wang Y, Huang J, Xu B, Chen J, Dai J, Zhou X. Babesia microti Protein BmSP44 Is a Novel Protective Antigen in a Mouse Model of Babesiosis. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1437. [PMID: 32733477 PMCID: PMC7358449 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Babesiosis caused by Babesia species imposes an increasing threat to public-health and so far, there is no effective vaccine to prevent Babesia infections. Babesia surface antigen may participate in the invasion of erythrocytes. In our previous study, a surface antigen of B. microti merozoites, named as BmSP44 was identified as a dominant reactive antigen by protein microarray screening. To evaluate its potential applications in diagnosis and prevention of Babesiosis, the open reading frame encoding BmSP44 was cloned and the recombinant protein was expressed. In consistent with the protein microarray result, recombinant BmSP44 (rBmSP44) can be recognized by sera from B. microti infected mice. Immunofluorescence assays (IFA) confirmed that BmSP44 is a secreted protein and localized principally in the cytoplasm of the parasites. The parasitemia and Babesia gene copies were lower in mice administered rBmSP44 antisera compared with normal controls. Active immunization with rBmSP44 also afforded protection against B. microti infection. The concentrations of hemoglobin in rBmSP44 immunization group were higher than those in the control group. Importantly, vaccination of mice with rBmSP44 resulted in a Th1/Th2 mixed immune response with significantly elevated IL-10 and IFN-γ levels during the early stage of infection. Taken together, our results indicated that rBmSP44 can induce a protective immune response against Babesia infection. Thus, BmSP44 can be used as both a diagnosis marker and a vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- School of Biology and Medical Science, Soochow University Medical College, Suzhou, China
| | - Yao Wang
- School of Biology and Medical Science, Soochow University Medical College, Suzhou, China
| | - Jilei Huang
- Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Xu
- Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Junhu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology of the Chinese Ministry of Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianfeng Dai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xia Zhou
- School of Biology and Medical Science, Soochow University Medical College, Suzhou, China
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Wei N, Lu J, Gong H, Xu Z, Zhang H, Cui L, Zhou J, Lin Z. Inclusion of PD-L1 into a recombinant profilin antigen enhances immunity against Babesia microti in a murine model. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101446. [PMID: 32340913 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101446] [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: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Pathogens and cancer cells employ the programmed cell death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1)/ programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) signaling pathway to inhibit the immune response. Hence, blockade of PD-L1/PD-1 recognition through monoclonal antibodies enhances the immune response. Antibodies that block PD-L1 and PD-1 binding have been used for the prevention and therapy of human pathogenic diseases, but have not yet been evaluated for the treatment of infectious diseases of livestock. In the present study, a recombinant vaccine named PROF-PDL1E, was designed comprising the Babesia microti-derived vaccine candidate profilin and the host PD-L1 protein, and its effect on immunization against murine B. microti infection was evaluated. PD-L1-specific antibodies generated after vaccination blocked PD-L1 and PD-1 binding as shown by in vitro assays. PROF-PDL1E reduced the burden of B. microti in a mouse model and decreased PD-1 expression in T cells. Furthermore, no tissue damage could be observed after PROF-PDL1E vaccination as verified by hematoxylin and eosin tissue staining of essential organs. In conclusion, vaccines targeting immune checkpoints seem to be a promising strategy for anti-Babesia vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana Wei
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jinmiao Lu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China.
| | - Haiyan Gong
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zhengmao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China.
| | - Houshuang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China.
| | - Li Cui
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jinlin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zhibing Lin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
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Babesiosis Vaccines: Lessons Learned, Challenges Ahead, and Future Glimpses. Trends Parasitol 2019; 35:622-635. [PMID: 31281025 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The incidence and prevalence of babesiosis in animals and humans is increasing, yet prevention, control, or treatment measures remain limited and ineffective. Despite a growing body of new knowledge of the biology, pathogenicity, and virulence of Babesia parasites, there is still no well-defined, adequately effective and easily deployable vaccine. While numerous published studies suggest that the development of such anti-Babesia vaccines should be feasible, many others identify significant challenges that need to be overcome in order to succeed. Here, we review historic and recent attempts in babesiosis vaccine discovery to avoid past pitfalls, learn new lessons, and provide a roadmap to guide the development of next-generation babesiosis vaccines.
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Fereig RM, Shimoda N, Abdelbaky HH, Kuroda Y, Nishikawa Y. Neospora GRA6 possesses immune-stimulating activity and confers efficient protection against Neospora caninum infection in mice. Vet Parasitol 2019; 267:61-68. [PMID: 30878088 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Vaccination has the potential to be the most cost-effective control measure for reducing the economic burden of neosporosis in cattle. In this study, the immune-stimulatory effect of recombinant Neospora caninum dense granule protein 6 (NcGRA6) was confirmed via its triggering of IL-12p40 production in murine macrophages. BALB/c mice were immunized with recombinant NcGRA6 fused with glutathione S-transferase (GST) protein with or without oligomannose-coated-liposomes (OMLs) as the potential adjuvant. Specific IgG1 antibody production was observed from 21 and 35 days after the first immunization in NcGRA6+GST- and NcGRA6+GST-OML-immunized mice, respectively. However, specific IgG2a was detected 1 week after the infection, and IgG2a levels of the NcGRA6+GST- group were higher than those of the NcGRA6+GST-OML-group. Moreover, spleen cell proliferation with concomitant interferon-gamma production was detected in mice immunized with NcGRA6+GST, indicating that a significant cellular immune response was induced. Mouse survival rates against N. caninum challenge infection were 91.7% for NcGRA6+GST and 83.3% for NcGRA6+GST-OML, which were significantly higher than those of control groups (GST-OML: 25%, phosphate-buffered saline: 16.7%). This indicates that naked NcGRA6+GST induced protective immunity. Thus, our findings highlight the immune-stimulating potential of NcGRA6 and the ability to induce protective immunity against N. caninum infection in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ragab M Fereig
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan; Research Center for Global Agromedicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan; Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena City, Qena 83523, Egypt
| | - Naomi Shimoda
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Hanan H Abdelbaky
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kuroda
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, Tokai University, Kita-kaname, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa 259-1292, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Nishikawa
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
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Xu B, Liu XF, Cai YC, Huang JL, Zhang RX, Chen JH, Cheng XJ, Zhou X, Xu XN, Zhou Y, Zhang T, Chen SB, Li J, Wu QF, Sun CS, Fu YF, Chen JX, Zhou XN, Hu W. Screening for biomarkers reflecting the progression of Babesia microti infection. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:379. [PMID: 29970143 PMCID: PMC6029176 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2951-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Babesiosis is caused by the invasion of erythrocytes by parasites of the Babesia spp. Babesia microti is one of the primary causative agents of human babesiosis. To better understand the status of the disease, discovering key biomarkers of the different infection stages is crucial. Results This study investigated B. microti infection in the mouse model from 0 to 270 days post-infection (dpi), using blood smears, PCR assays and ELISA. PCR assays showed a higher sensitivity when compared to microscopic examination. Specific IgG antibodies could be detected from 7 days to 270 dpi. Two-dimensional electrophoresis was combined with western blotting and mass spectrometric analysis to screen for specific reactive antigens during both the peak parasitaemia period (7 dpi) and IgG antibody response peak period (30 dpi) by the infected mice plasma. The 87 positive reactive proteins were identified and then expressed with the wheat germ cell-free system. Protein microarrays of all 87 targeted proteins were produced and hybridized with the serial plasma of infected mice model. Based on the antigen reaction profile during the infection procedure, 6 antigens were selected and expressed in Escherichia coli. Due to an early response to IgM, lower immunoreactivity levels of IgG after two months and higher immunoreactivity level IgG during nine months, four recombinant proteins were selected for further characterization, namely rBm2D97(CCF75281.1), rBm2D33(CCF74637.1), rBm2D41(CCF75408.1) and rBm7(CCF73510.1). The diagnostic efficacy of the four recombinant protein candidates was evaluated in a clinical setting using babesiosis patient plasma. The rBm2D33 showed the highest sensitivity with a positive rate of 62.5%. Additional characterization of the two candidate proteins using a mouse vaccination assay, demonstrated that rBm2D41 could reduce peak parasitaemia by 37.4%, indicating its efficacy in preventing severe babesiosis. Conclusions The detection technologies of microscopic examination, PCR assays and antibody tests showed different sensitivities and accuracy during the different stages of B. microti infection. Antibody detection has a unique significance for B. microti infection in the asymptomatic stages. Using immunoreactivity profiles, biomarkers for disease progression were identified and represent useful information for future the diagnosis and vaccine development for this serious disease of public health significance. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-2951-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Xu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiu-Feng Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Chun Cai
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ji-Lei Huang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui-Xiang Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun-Hu Chen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xun-Jia Cheng
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xia Zhou
- Department of Parasitology, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue-Nian Xu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Zhou
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Zhang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Shen-Bo Chen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Qun-Feng Wu
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng-Song Sun
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong-Feng Fu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia-Xu Chen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Nong Zhou
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Hu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai, People's Republic of China. .,Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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Man S, Fu Y, Guan Y, Feng M, Qiao K, Li X, Gao H, Cheng X. Evaluation of a Major Surface Antigen of Babesia microti Merozoites as a Vaccine Candidate against Babesia Infection. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2545. [PMID: 29312230 PMCID: PMC5742146 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Babesia species are tick-borne intraerythrocytic protozoa that cause babesiosis in humans worldwide. No vaccine has yet proven effective against Babesia infection. Surface antigens of merozoites are involved in the invasion of erythrocytes by Babesia. Surface antigens may be presented by both babesial sporozoites and merozoites and provide a general target for antibody-mediated inhibition of erythrocyte invasion. Here we evaluated a major surface antigen of B. microti merozoites, BMSA, as a potential vaccine to prevent babesiosis. Our data indicated that bmsa is transcribed during different phases, including ring form, amoeboid form, and merozoites, and that its expression is significantly increased in mature merozoites. The protein was found to be located in the membrane of B. microti and in the cytoplasm of infected erythrocytes. The immune response induced by BMSA had a significant inhibitory effect on parasite invasion of the host erythrocytes (83.3% inhibition of invasion) and parasite growth in vivo. The levels of parasitemia significantly decreased after BMSA vaccination when mice were infected with babesia parasite. Importantly, protective immunity was significantly related to the upregulation of the Th17 cytokine interleukin-17, the Th1 cytokine interleukin-12p70 and the Th2 cytokines, such as interleukin-4, -6, and -10. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis indicated that interleukin-17 facilitated the secretion of Th2 cytokines, such as interleukin-10, -4, and -6, thereby inducing a predominately Th2 protective immune response and promoting the expression a high level of special IgG1 against Babesia infection. Further, an anti-BMSA monoclonal antibody successfully protected NOD/SCID mice from a challenge with B. microti. Taken together, our results indicated that BMSA induces a protective immune response against Babesia infection and may serve as a potential vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suqin Man
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongfeng Fu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Guan
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng Feng
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ke Qiao
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueping Li
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongjian Gao
- Department of Electron Microscopy, School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xunjia Cheng
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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11
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Recombinant methionine aminopeptidase protein of Babesia microti: immunobiochemical characterization as a vaccine candidate against human babesiosis. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:3669-76. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5172-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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