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Ghaffari AD, Rahimi F. Immunoinformatics studies and design of a novel multi-epitope peptide vaccine against Toxoplasma gondii based on calcium-dependent protein kinases antigens through an in-silico analysis. Clin Exp Vaccine Res 2024; 13:146-154. [PMID: 38752002 PMCID: PMC11091428 DOI: 10.7774/cevr.2024.13.2.146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Infection by the intracellular apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii has serious clinical consequences in humans and veterinarians around the world. Although about a third of the world's population is infected with T. gondii, there is still no effective vaccine against this disease. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a multimeric vaccine against T. gondii using the proteins calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK)1, CDPK2, CDPK3, and CDPK5. Materials and Methods Top-ranked major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I and MHC-II binding as well as shared, immunodominant linear B-cell epitopes were predicted and linked using appropriate linkers. Moreover, the 50S ribosomal protein L7/L12 (adjuvant) was mixed with the construct's N-terminal to increase the immunogenicity. Then, the vaccine's physicochemical characteristics, antigenicity, allergenicity, secondary and tertiary structure were predicted. Results The finally-engineered chimeric vaccine had a length of 680 amino acids with a molecular weight of 74.66 kDa. Analyses of immunogenicity, allergenicity, and multiple physiochemical parameters indicated that the constructed vaccine candidate was soluble, non-allergenic, and immunogenic, making it compatible with humans and hence, a potentially viable and safe vaccine candidate against T. gondii parasite. Conclusion In silico, the vaccine construct was able to trigger primary immune responses. However, further laboratory studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Dalir Ghaffari
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fardin Rahimi
- Department of Medical biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
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2
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Khorshidvand Z, Shirian S, Amiri H, Zamani A, Maghsood AH. Immunomodulatory chitosan nanoparticles for Toxoplasma gondii infection: Novel application of chitosan in complex propranolol-hydrochloride as an adjuvant in vaccine delivery. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:127228. [PMID: 37839605 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
The study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of propranolol hydrochloride (PRO) in combination with chitosan nanoparticles (CS NPs) as an adjuvant to develop an effective vaccine against T. gondii. A total of 105 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into seven equal groups including PBS alone, CS NPs, SAG1 (Surface antigen 1), CS-SAG1 NPs, CS-PRO NPs, SAG1-PRO, and CS-SAG1-PRO NPs. The immunostimulatory effect of each adjuvant used for vaccine delivery was evaluated in a mice immunization model. The results showed that the mice immunized with CS-SAG1-PRO NPs exhibited the highest lymphocyte proliferation rate, along with increased secretion of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, and IL-23, as well as elevated levels of protective cytokines such as TGF-β, IL-27, and IL-10. Although, the CS-SAG1-PRO NPs immunized mice showed the highest level of T. gondii specific IgG compared to the other groups, a significant production of IgG2a and IgG1 was observed in the sera of mice immunized with the CS-SAG1-PRO NPs compared to the other group (p <0.001). The higher IgG2a/IgG1 ratio observed in the CS-SAG1-PRO NPs group indicates a bias towards Th1 cell polarization, suggesting the promotion of Th1 cell-mediated immune responses. Considering the combination of the highest lymphocyte proliferation and survival rates, IgG2a/IgG1 ratio, and cytokine levels in the mice immunized with CS-SAG1-PRO NPs, this approach holds promise for immunostimulation and vaccine delivery against T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Khorshidvand
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Sadegh Shirian
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran; Shiraz Molecular Pathology Research Center, Dr Daneshbod Lab, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Hanieh Amiri
- Shiraz Molecular Pathology Research Center, Dr Daneshbod Lab, Shiraz, Iran; Department of Biology, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Alireza Zamani
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
| | - Amir Hossein Maghsood
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
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Li M, Lv X, Zheng M, Wei Y. The Immunoprotective Effect of ROP27 Protein of Eimeria tenella. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3500. [PMID: 38003119 PMCID: PMC10668730 DOI: 10.3390/ani13223500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Eimeria tenella rhoptry protein has the properties of a protective antigen. EtROP27 is a pathogenic gene that is detected via a transcriptome, but its expression pattern, immunogenicity, and potency are unknown. Therefore, a gene segment of EtROP27 was amplified and transplanted into the pET28a prokaryotic vector for the expression of the recombinant protein, and it subsequently purified for the generation of a polyclonal antibody. Then, RT-PCR and Western blotting were performed to understand the expression pattern of EtROP27. Subsequently, animal experiments were conducted to evaluate the immunoprotective effect of the recombinant protein with different immunizing doses (50, 100, and 150 μg). The results showed that the expression of EtROP27 gradually increased with the prolongation of infection time, reaching the highest level at 96 h and then decreasing. Additionally, EtROP27 is a natural antigen of coccidia that can stimulate the body to produce high levels of IgY. As with recombinant protein vaccines, the results of immune protection evaluation tests showed that the average weight gain rates of the immune challenge groups were significantly higher than that of the challenged control group, and their average lesion scores were significantly lower than that of the challenged control group. Furthermore, the oocyst excretion decreased by 81.25%, 86.21%, and 80.01%, and the anticoccidial index was 159.45, 171.47, and 166.75, respectively, for these groups. EtROP27 is a promising antigen gene candidate for the development of a coccidiosis vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menggang Li
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanning 530004, China;
| | - Xiaoling Lv
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; (X.L.); (M.Z.)
| | - Mingxue Zheng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; (X.L.); (M.Z.)
| | - Yingyi Wei
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Control and Prevention, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanning 530004, China;
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Nanning 530004, China
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4
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Gao Y, Shen Y, Fan J, Ding H, Zheng B, Yu H, Huang S, Kong Q, Lv H, Zhuo X, Lu S. Establishment and application of an iELISA detection method for measuring apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) antibodies of Toxoplasma gondii in cats. BMC Vet Res 2023; 19:229. [PMID: 37924072 PMCID: PMC10623812 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03775-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diseases caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) have introduced serious threats to public health. There is an urgent need to develop a rapid detection method for T. gondii infection in cats, which are definitive hosts. Recombinant apical membrane antigen 1 (rAMA1) was produced in a prokaryotic expression system and used as the detection antigen. The aim of this study was to evaluate and optimize a reliable indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) method based on rAMA1 for the detection of antibodies against T. gondii in cats. RESULTS The rAMA1-iELISA method was developed and optimized by the chessboard titration method. There were no cross-reactions between T. gondii-positive cat serum and positive serum for other pathogens, indicating that rAMA1-iELISA could only detect T. gondii in most cases. The lowest detection limit of rAMA1-iELISA was 1:3200 (dilution of positive serum), and the CV of repeated tests within batches and between batches were confirmed to be less than 10%. The results of 247 cat serum samples detected by rAMA1-iELISA (kappa value = 0.622, p < 0.001) were in substantial agreement with commercial ELISA. The ROC curve analysis revealed the higher overall check accuracy of rAMA1-iELISA (sensitivity = 91.7%, specificity = 93.6%, AUC = 0.956, 95% CI 0.905 to 1.000) than GRA7-based iELISA (sensitivity = 91.7%, specificity = 85.5%, AUC = 0.936, 95% CI 0.892 to 0.980). Moreover, the positive rate of rAMA1-iELISA (6.5%, 16/247) was higher than that of GRA7-based iELISA (3.6%, 9/247) and that of commercial ELISA kit (4.9%, 12/247). CONCLUSION The iELISA method with good specificity, sensitivity, and reproducibility was established and can be used for large-scale detection of T. gondii infection in clinical cat samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafan Gao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310013, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Shen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310013, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiyuan Fan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310013, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haojie Ding
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310013, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bin Zheng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310013, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haijie Yu
- Jiaxing Vocational & Technical College, Jiaxing, 314036, China
| | - Siyang Huang
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Qingming Kong
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310013, China
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hangjun Lv
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310013, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xunhui Zhuo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310013, China.
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Shaohong Lu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310013, China.
- Engineering Research Center of Novel Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Tech Vaccine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China.
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Li X, Yuan W, He T, Guo R, Du X, He Y, Li X, El-Ashram S, Al-Olayan EM, Yang N, Sang X. Boosting Mouse Defense against Lethal Toxoplasma gondii Infection with Full-Length and Soluble SAG1 Recombinant Protein. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1678. [PMID: 38006011 PMCID: PMC10675489 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11111678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a major worldwide protozoan zoonosis. The surface antigen 1 (SAG1) of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) has always been recognized as an ideal vaccine candidate antigen. However, the intact and soluble SAG1 protein is usually difficult to acquire in vitro, which is unfavorable for employing the recombinant protein as a vaccine candidate antigen. In the present study, we obtained the full-length SAG1 recombinant protein in soluble form by Escherichia coli Transetta (DE3) cells under optimized expression conditions. The immunogenicity and protective ability of this recombinant protein against T. gondii acute infection were evaluated in a mouse model. Monitoring changes in serum antibody levels and types, the presence of cytokines, and the rate of lymphocyte proliferation in vaccinated mice were used to assess humoral and cellular immune responses. Additional assessments were performed to determine the protective potency of the recombinant protein in combating T. gondii RH tachyzoites. It was found that the titers of both IgG2a and IgG2b were considerably greater in the immunized mice compared to the titers of IgG1 and IgG3. The levels of Th1-type cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-12p70, IL-2, and TNF-α) and Th2-type cytokines (IL-10) significantly increased when splenocytes from immunological group mice were treated with T. gondii lysate antigen. Compared to the control group, a recombinant protein substantially increased the longevity of infected mice, with an average death time prolonged by 14.50 ± 0.34 days (p < 0.0001). These findings suggest that the full-length and soluble SAG1 recombinant protein produced potent immune responses in mice and could be a preferred subunit vaccine candidate for T. gondii, offering a feasible option for vaccination against acute toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China; (X.L.); (W.Y.); (T.H.); (R.G.); (X.D.); (Y.H.); (X.L.)
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Wei Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China; (X.L.); (W.Y.); (T.H.); (R.G.); (X.D.); (Y.H.); (X.L.)
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Ting He
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China; (X.L.); (W.Y.); (T.H.); (R.G.); (X.D.); (Y.H.); (X.L.)
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Ruiying Guo
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China; (X.L.); (W.Y.); (T.H.); (R.G.); (X.D.); (Y.H.); (X.L.)
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Xiuxian Du
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China; (X.L.); (W.Y.); (T.H.); (R.G.); (X.D.); (Y.H.); (X.L.)
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Yanhong He
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China; (X.L.); (W.Y.); (T.H.); (R.G.); (X.D.); (Y.H.); (X.L.)
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Xuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China; (X.L.); (W.Y.); (T.H.); (R.G.); (X.D.); (Y.H.); (X.L.)
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Saeed El-Ashram
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh 33516, Egypt;
| | - Ebtesam M. Al-Olayan
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Na Yang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China; (X.L.); (W.Y.); (T.H.); (R.G.); (X.D.); (Y.H.); (X.L.)
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Xiaoyu Sang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China; (X.L.); (W.Y.); (T.H.); (R.G.); (X.D.); (Y.H.); (X.L.)
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
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6
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Teixeira SC, Paschoalino M, de Souza G, Rosini AM, de Lima Junior JP, Luz LC, Fajardo Martínez AF, Alves RN, Almeida MPO, Damasceno JL, Silva MJB, Ietta F, Barbosa BF, Ferro EAV, Gomes Martins CH. Rottlerin impairs early and late steps of Toxoplasma gondii infection in human trophoblast cells and villous explants. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 384:110716. [PMID: 37722575 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110716] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Congenital toxoplasmosis, caused by the opportunistic protozoan parasite T. gondii, can cause stillbirths, miscarriages and fetal abnormalities, as well as encephalitis and chorioretinitis in newborns. Available treatment options rely on antiparasitic drugs that have been linked to serious side effects, high toxicity and the development of drug-resistant parasites. The search for alternative therapeutics to treat this disease without acute toxicity for the mother and child is essential for the advancement of current therapeutic procedures. The present study aimed to unravel the mode of the anti-T. gondii action of Rottlerin, a natural polyphenol with multiple pharmacological properties described. Herein, we further assessed the antiparasitic activity of Rottlerin against T. gondii infection on the human trophoblastic cells (BeWo cells) and, for the first time, on human villous explants. We found that non-cytotoxic doses of Rottlerin impaired early and late steps of parasite infection with an irreversible manner in BeWo cells. Rottlerin caused parasite cell cycle arrest in G1 phase and compromised the ability of tachyzoites to infect new cells, thus highlighting the possible direct action on parasites. An additional and non-exclusive mechanism of action of Rottlerin involves the modulation of host cell components, by affecting lipid droplet formation, mitochondrial function and upregulation of the IL-6 and MIF levels in BeWo cells. Supporting our findings, Rottlerin also controlled T. gondii proliferation in villous explants with low toxicity and reduced the IL-10 levels, a cytokine associated with parasite susceptibility. Collectively, our results highlighted the potential use of Rottlerin as a promising tool to prevent and/or treat congenital toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Cota Teixeira
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Marina Paschoalino
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Guilherme de Souza
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Monteiro Rosini
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Joed Pires de Lima Junior
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Luana Carvalho Luz
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Aryani Felixa Fajardo Martínez
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Rosiane Nascimento Alves
- Department of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais, Ituiutaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcos Paulo Oliveira Almeida
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline Lopes Damasceno
- Laboratory of Antimicrobial Testing, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcelo José Barbosa Silva
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Francesca Ietta
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Bellisa Freitas Barbosa
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Eloisa Amália Vieira Ferro
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology of Reproduction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
| | - Carlos Henrique Gomes Martins
- Laboratory of Antimicrobial Testing, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
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Chyb M, Dziadek B, Dzitko K, Ferra BT, Kawka M, Holec-Gąsior L, Gatkowska J. Evaluation of long-term immunity and protection against T. gondii after immunization with multivalent recombinant chimeric T. gondii proteins. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12976. [PMID: 37563166 PMCID: PMC10415312 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40147-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis caused by the opportunistic, cosmopolitan protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most common parasitoses in the world. Although it may prove dangerous or even fatal for immunocompromised individuals, immunoprophylaxis for humans is still nonexistent. Thus, the aim of the current work was to assess the ability of two immunogenic recombinant chimeric T. gondii proteins, SAG2-GRA1-ROP1 (SGR) and SAG1-MIC1-MAG1-GRA2 (SMMG), selected in previous experiments to induce long-lasting immunity when administered with a safe adjuvant. Thus, the determination of immunological parameters and parasite challenge were performed both two weeks after the last boost injection and 6 months postvaccination. Both experimental vaccines triggered specific humoral and cellular responses in immunized C3H/HeOuJ male mice, characterized by the production of specific IgG (IgG1/IgG2a) antibodies in vivo and the synthesis of key Th1/Th2 cytokines by Toxoplasma lysate antigen-stimulated splenocytes in vitro. Although the levels of specific antibodies and cytokine release were in most cases lower six months postimmunization, the protection rates conferred by the vaccination were comparable regardless of the time after the administration of the last vaccine dose. The results indicate that both preparations induce long-lasting immunity, which makes them attractive candidates for further research aimed at boosting their immunogenicity and immunoprotective capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Chyb
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland
- Bio-Med-Chem Doctoral School of the University of Lodz and Lodz Institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland
| | - Bożena Dziadek
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Dzitko
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland
| | - Bartłomiej Tomasz Ferra
- Department of Tropical Parasitology, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine in Gdynia, Medical University of Gdańsk, Powstania Styczniowego 9B, 81-519, Gdynia, Poland
| | - Malwina Kawka
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland
| | - Lucyna Holec-Gąsior
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Justyna Gatkowska
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland.
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8
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Goodswen SJ, Kennedy PJ, Ellis JT. A state-of-the-art methodology for high-throughput in silico vaccine discovery against protozoan parasites and exemplified with discovered candidates for Toxoplasma gondii. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8243. [PMID: 37217589 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34863-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccine discovery against eukaryotic parasites is not trivial as highlighted by the limited number of known vaccines compared to the number of protozoal diseases that need one. Only three of 17 priority diseases have commercial vaccines. Live and attenuated vaccines have proved to be more effective than subunit vaccines but adversely pose more unacceptable risks. One promising approach for subunit vaccines is in silico vaccine discovery, which predicts protein vaccine candidates given thousands of target organism protein sequences. This approach, nonetheless, is an overarching concept with no standardised guidebook on implementation. No known subunit vaccines against protozoan parasites exist as a result of this approach, and consequently none to emulate. The study goal was to combine current in silico discovery knowledge specific to protozoan parasites and develop a workflow representing a state-of-the-art approach. This approach reflectively integrates a parasite's biology, a host's immune system defences, and importantly, bioinformatics programs needed to predict vaccine candidates. To demonstrate the workflow effectiveness, every Toxoplasma gondii protein was ranked in its capacity to provide long-term protective immunity. Although testing in animal models is required to validate these predictions, most of the top ranked candidates are supported by publications reinforcing our confidence in the approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Goodswen
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Paul J Kennedy
- School of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology and the Australian Artificial Intelligence Institute, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - John T Ellis
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
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Shams M, Heydaryan S, Bashi MC, Gorgani BN, Ghasemi E, Majidiani H, Nazari N, Irannejad H. In silico design of a novel peptide-based vaccine against the ubiquitous apicomplexan Toxoplasma gondii using surface antigens. In Silico Pharmacol 2023; 11:5. [PMID: 36960094 PMCID: PMC10027966 DOI: 10.1007/s40203-023-00140-w] [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: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Human toxoplasmosis is a global public health concern and a commercial vaccine is still lacking. The present in silico study was done to design a novel vaccine candidate using tachyzoite-specific SAG1-realted sequence (SRS) proteins. Overlapping B-cell and strictly-chosen human MHC-I binding epitopes were predicted and connected together using appropriate spacers. Moreover, a TLR4 agonist, human high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1), and His-tag were added to the N- and C-terminus of the vaccine sequence. The final vaccine had 442 residues and a molecular weight of 47.71 kDa. Physico-chemical evaluation showed a soluble, highly antigenic and non-allergen protein, with coils and helices as secondary structures. The vaccine 3D model was predicted by ITASSER server, subsequently refined and was shown to possess significant interactions with human TLR4. As well, potent stimulation of cellular and humoral immunity was demonstrated upon chimeric vaccine injection. Finally, the outputs showed that this vaccine model possesses top antigenicity, which could provoke significant cell-mediated immune profile including IFN-γ, and can be utilized towards prophylactic purposes. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40203-023-00140-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morteza Shams
- Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Saeed Heydaryan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Cheraghchi Bashi
- Department of Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Ezatollah Ghasemi
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Medicine, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Majidiani
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran
| | - Naser Nazari
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Hamid Irannejad
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, 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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11
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Tian X, Yang Z, Wan G, Xie T, Wang M, Sun H, Mei X, Zhang Z, Li X, Wang S. Vaccination with recombinant Toxoplasma gondii bradyzoite-formation deficient 1 (rTgBFD1) antigen provides partial protective immunity against chronic T. gondii infection. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:957479. [PMID: 36172608 PMCID: PMC9510678 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.957479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As an apicomplexan pathogen, Toxoplasma gondii still remains a major threat to public health and requires special attention. In fact, positive attempts to identify more effective antigens to provide protection are important to control toxoplasmosis. Latest scientific advances in T. gondii study hint at the probability of the T. gondii bradyzoite-formation deficient 1 (TgBFD1) as an ideal vaccine candidate, since this molecule plays a critical role in regulating the chronic infection of T. gondii. Thus, BALB/c mouse models of acute and chronic T. gondii infections were used to evaluate the TgBFD1 protection efficacy in this study. Before conducting animal trials, antigen analysis of TgBFD1 was performed using DNAstar software and Western blots. The preliminary results suggested that TgBFD1 should be a potent immunogen. Then, this conclusion is confirmed by ELISA assays. After immunization with rTgBFD1, high levels of specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, and cytokines (Interferon γ and interleukin 10) were observed, indicating that TgBFD1 could induce strong protective antibody responses. While TgBFD1-specific IgG antibodies were measurable in vaccinated mice, no protection was observed in the acute T. gondii infection (RH strain) assay. However, a noticeable decrease in brain cysts counts of immunized mice compared with negative controls in the latent T. gondii infection (PRU strain) assay was observed. Taken together, these results indicated that rTgBFD1 had the remarkable ability to elicit both humoral and cellular immune responses and could provide partial protective immunity against chronic T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Tian
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Zhenke Yang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Guangmin Wan
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Tong Xie
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Meng Wang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Hanqi Sun
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Xuefang Mei
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Zhenchao Zhang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Xiangrui Li
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Xiangrui Li
| | - Shuai Wang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
- Shuai Wang
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Identification and Characterization of Eimeria tenella Rhoptry Protein 35 (EtROP35). Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9090465. [PMID: 36136681 PMCID: PMC9505231 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9090465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Rhoptry proteins (ROPs) of phylum Apicomplexa parasites are important secretory virulence factors as well as candidate vaccines. However, studies on ROPs of Eimeria tenella are limited. In this study, the coding sequence of E. tenella rhoptry protein 35 (EtROP35) was cloned, and then its localization, expression in parasite, potential role within invasion, and protective efficacy were investigated. Sequence analysis and subcellular localization revealed that EtROP35 is a rhoptry protein of E. tenella. Sporozoite invasion-blocking assay and protective efficacy indicated that EtROP35 might be involved in the parasite invasion process and may be a potential vaccine candidate against E. tenella. Abstract Rhoptry proteins (ROPs) of Apicomplexa are crucial secreted virulence factors and sources of vaccine candidates. To date, Eimeria tenella ROPs are not well studied. This study identified and characterized a novel E. tenella ROP (EtROP35), which showed the highest levels among 28 putative ROPs in previous sporozoite and merozoite transcriptomes. Sequence analysis showed that EtROP35 contains an N-terminal secretory signal and a protein kinase domain including eight conserved ROP35-subfamily motifs. Subsequent experiments confirmed that it is a secretory protein. Subcellular localization revealed it localized at the apical end of the sporozoites and merozoites, which was consistent with the ROPs of other Apicomplexan parasites. To further understand the biological meaning of EtROP35, expression levels in different developmental stages and sporozoite invasion-blocking assay were investigated. EtROP35 showed significantly higher levels in sporozoites (6.23-fold) and merozoites (7.00-fold) than sporulated oocysts. Sporozoite invasion-blocking assay revealed that anti-EtROP35 polyclonal antibody significantly reduced the sporozoite invasion rate, suggesting it might participate in host cell invasion and be a viable choice as a vaccine candidate. The immunological protective assays showed that EtROP35 could induce a high level of serum IgY and higher mean body weight gain, and lower cecum lesion score and oocysts excretion than the challenged control group. These data indicated that EtROP35 had good immunogenicity and may be a promising vaccine candidate against E. tenella.
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Seo SH, Shin JH, Ham DW, Shin EH. PTEN/AKT signaling pathway related to hTERT downregulation and telomere shortening induced in Toxoplasma GRA16-expressing colorectal cancer cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 153:113366. [PMID: 35810694 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated whether the molecular mechanism of granule protein 16 (GRA16), a dense granule protein of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) that induces cancer cell apoptosis, results in telomere shortening in cancer cells. The molecular mechanism of GRA16 responsible for regulating telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) activity and telomere shortening was investigated using GRA16-transferred HCT116 human colorectal cancer cells (GRA16-stable cells). GRA16 directly decreased hTERT expression by downregulating the expression and phosphorylation of hTERT transcriptional factors accompanied by decreased expression of shelterin complex molecules. Moreover, GRA16 resulted in cancer cell death through reduction of telomerase activity which leads to telomere shortening (decreased relative ratio of telomeric repeat-amplified sequence to that of a single-copy gene) (T/S ratio)), and at the same time gamma-H2A histone family member X (γ-H2A.X) stained nucleus was increased in the cells. The molecular mechanism between GRA16 and hTERT inactivation was revealed using inhibitors for phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) as well as siRNAs against PTEN and PP2A. hTERT dephosphorylation was induced effectively by the signaling pathway of HAUSP/PTEN/p-AKT(S473) but not by PP2A-B55/p-AKT(T308). Inhibition of the PTEN signaling pathway increased mRNA expressions in hTERT transcriptional factors, cell cycle activating factors, and apoptosis-inhibiting factors. When HCT116 cells were infected with T. gondii, the number of γ-H2A.X-stained nuclei also increased and p-hTERT/hTERT decreased as in GRA16-stable cells. Altogether, our results emphasize that GRA16 is a novel promising telomerase inhibitor that causes telomere shortening through telomerase inactivation by inducing the activation of the tumor suppressor PTEN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Hwan Seo
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hun Shin
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Do-Won Ham
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Hee Shin
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea; Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, Republic of Korea.
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14
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Khorshidvand Z, Khosravi A, Mahboobian MM, Larki-Harchegani A, Fallah M, Maghsood AH. Novel naltrexone hydrochloride nanovaccine based on chitosan nanoparticles promotes induction of Th1 and Th17 immune responses resulting in protection against Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites in a mouse model. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 208:962-972. [PMID: 35346684 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.03.146] [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: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
This study was aimed to encapsulate and construct the Toxoplasma gondii surface antigen (SAG1) and naltrexone hydrochloride (NLT-HCL) as an adjuvant within chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) to develop efficacious vaccine against T. gondii. Seven groups of BALB/c mice were immunized with SAG1, chitosan (CS), NLT-SAG1, CS-SAG1, CS-SAG1-NLT, CS-NLT and PBS. The efficiency of each approach was detected in vivo mouse immunization. Moreover, the immuno-induction effect of SAG1 recombinant protein and CS-NPs-based NLT-HCL as an adjuvant in a vaccine delivery was evaluated. Experimentally, Th1/Th17 biased cellular and humoral immune responses were activated in the mice immunized with CS-SAG1-NLT nanoparticles that were accompanied by considerable increased production of IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-12, IL-4, IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio, IgG, IgG2a. This group of mice also showed significantly increased survival time post-challenging. The successful encapsulated SAG1 recombinant protein and NLT-HCL, as an adjuvant, within CS-NPs can induce immune responses against toxoplasmosis. We could incorporate NLT-HCL adjuvant into the CS-NPs based delivery systems, which makes CS-NPs attractive as a colloidal carrier system for NLT-HCL as secondary adjuvant. This new approach or the simultaneous use of CS and NLT demonstrated that the co-administration of CS-NPs and NLT-HCL induce production of IL-17 cytokine. This approach can be used for vaccination purposes, in which Th17 and Th1 cellular immune are considered the key of the successful immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Khorshidvand
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Afra Khosravi
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Mahboobian
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
| | - Amir Larki-Harchegani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Fallah
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
| | - Amir Hossein Maghsood
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
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Yu Z, He K, Cao W, Aleem MT, Yan R, Xu L, Song X, Li X. Nano vaccines for T. gondii Ribosomal P2 Protein With Nanomaterials as a Promising DNA Vaccine Against Toxoplasmosis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:839489. [PMID: 35265084 PMCID: PMC8899214 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.839489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Caused by Toxoplasma gondii, toxoplasmosis has aroused great threats to public health around the world. So far, no effective vaccine or drug is commercially available, and the demands for a safe and effective therapeutic strategy have become more and more urgent. In the current study, we constructed a DNA vaccine encoding T. gondii ribosomal P2 protein (TgP2) and denoted as TgP2-pVAX1 plasmid. To improve the immunoprotection, nanomaterial poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and chitosan were used as the delivery vehicle to construct TgP2-pVAX1/PLGA and TgP2-pVAX1/CS nanospheres. Before vaccinations in BALB/c mice, TgP2-pVAX1 plasmids were transiently transfected into Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK) 293-T cells, and the expression of the eukaryotic plasmids was detected by laser confocal microscopy and Western blotting. Then the immunoprotection of naked DNA plasmids and their two nano-encapsulations were evaluated in the laboratory animal model. According to the investigations of antibody, cytokine, dendritic cell (DC) maturation, molecule expression, splenocyte proliferation, and T lymphocyte proportion, TgP2-pVAX1 plasmid delivered by two types of nanospheres could elicit a mixed Th1/Th2 immune response and Th1 immunity as the dominant. In addition, TgP2-pVAX1/PLGA and TgP2-pVAX1/CS nanospheres have great advantages in enhancing immunity against a lethal dose of T. gondii RH strain challenge. All these results suggested that TgP2-pVAX1 plasmids delivered by PLGA or chitosan nanomaterial could be promising vaccines in resisting toxoplasmosis and deserve further investigations and applications.
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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, China
| | - Ke He
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - WanDi Cao
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Muhammad Tahir Aleem
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - RuoFeng Yan
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - LiXin Xu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - XiaoKai Song
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - XiangRui Li
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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Pereira LM, Audrey de Paula J, Baroni L, Bezerra MA, Abreu-Filho PG, Yatsuda AP. Molecular characterization of NCLIV_011700 of Neospora caninum, a low sequence identity rhoptry protein. Exp Parasitol 2022; 238:108268. [PMID: 35513005 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is an obligate intracellular parasite related to abortion in cattle, goats and sheep. The life cycle of N. caninum is characterized by the time-coordinated secretion of proteins contained in micronemes, rhoptries and dense granules, allowing the active invasion and the adaptation of the parasite in the cell environment. Thus, the proteins of the secretome have the potential to be considered as targets for N. caninum control. Despite the importance of neosporosis in the livestock-related economy, no commercial treatment is available. Furthermore, the process of invasion, propagation and immune evasion are not completely elucidated. In this study, we initiated the characterization of NCLIV_011700 of N. caninum, a protein with low sequence identity to NcROP15 or TgROP15 (<15%). Our goal was the detection and molecular characterization of the NCLIV_011700, once homology (with low identity >20%) was observed within the Apicomplexa. The NCLIV_011700 sequence was aligned and compared to the closer apicomplexan homologues (ROP15 from N. caninum, T. gondii, Hammondia hammondi, Cystospores suis), including the predicted domains. In general, the NCLIV_011700 demonstrated low identity with ROP15 of apicomplexan (<20%) and had a ubiquitin domain. On the other side, the NCLIV_011700 homologues were composed of a non-cytoplasmic domain, suggesting different functions between NcROP15 (or homologues) and NCLIV_011700 during the parasite life cycle. Moreover, the NCLIV_011700 was amplified by PCR, ligated to a pET28a plasmid and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant form of NCLIV_011700 was purified in a nickel-Sepharose resin and applied for polyclonal antibody production in mice. The antiserum against NCLIV_011700 (anti-r NCLIV_011700) was used to localize the native form of the protein using Western blot and confocal microscopy. Also, the NCLIV_011700 antiserum partially inhibited the parasite adhesion/invasion process, indicating an active role of the protein in the N. caninum cycle. Thus, the initial NCLIV_011700 characterization will contribute to enlarging the comprehension of N. caninum, aiming at the future development of tools to control the parasite infection/propagation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz Miguel Pereira
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av do Café, sn/n, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Julia Audrey de Paula
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av do Café, sn/n, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciana Baroni
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av do Café, sn/n, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcos Alexandre Bezerra
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av do Café, sn/n, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Péricles Gama Abreu-Filho
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av do Café, sn/n, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Patrícia Yatsuda
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av do Café, sn/n, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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Mining the Proteome of Toxoplasma Parasites Seeking Vaccine and Diagnostic Candidates. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12091098. [PMID: 35565525 PMCID: PMC9099775 DOI: 10.3390/ani12091098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The One Health concept to toxoplasmosis highlights that the health of humans is closely related to the health of animals and our common environment. Toxoplasmosis outcomes might be severe and fatal in patients with immunodeficiency, diabetes, and pregnant women and infants. Consequently, the development of effective vaccine and diagnostic strategies is urgent for the elimination of this disease. Proteomics analysis has allowed the identification of key proteins that can be utilized in the development of novel disease diagnostics and vaccines. This work presents relevant proteins found in the proteome of the life cycle-specific stages of Toxoplasma parasites. In fact, it brings together the main functionality key proteins from Toxoplasma parasites coming from proteomic approaches that are most likely to be useful in improving the disease management, and critically proposes innovative directions to finally develop promising vaccines and diagnostics tools. Abstract Toxoplasma gondii is a pathogenic protozoan parasite that infects the nucleated cells of warm-blooded hosts leading to an infectious zoonotic disease known as toxoplasmosis. The infection outcomes might be severe and fatal in patients with immunodeficiency, diabetes, and pregnant women and infants. The One Health approach to toxoplasmosis highlights that the health of humans is closely related to the health of animals and our common environment. The presence of drug resistance and side effects, the further improvement of sensitivity and specificity of serodiagnostic tools and the potentiality of vaccine candidates to induce the host immune response are considered as justifiable reasons for the identification of novel targets for the better management of toxoplasmosis. Thus, the identification of new critical proteins in the proteome of Toxoplasma parasites can also be helpful in designing and test more effective drugs, vaccines, and diagnostic tools. Accordingly, in this study we present important proteins found in the proteome of the life cycle-specific stages of Toxoplasma parasites that are potential diagnostic or vaccine candidates. The current study might help to understand the complexity of these parasites and provide a possible source of strategies and biomolecules that can be further evaluated in the pathobiology of Toxoplasma parasites and for diagnostics and vaccine trials against this disease.
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Bingxiang W, Ningning Z, Yakun W, Lingyu S, Hongmei L, Zhang X, Zhao X. Characterization of the Eimeria tenella rhoptry protein with a nuclear localization sequence (EtROP30). Parasitol Res 2022; 121:1507-1516. [PMID: 35314894 PMCID: PMC8938219 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07499-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Rhoptry proteins (ROPs), secreted by specific rhoptry organelles of apicomplexan parasites, are determinants of parasite pathogenesis and sources of vaccine candidates. Twenty-eight ROPs of Eimeria tenella have been predicted by genomic approaches, and in the present study, E. tenella rhoptry protein 30 (EtROP30) was characterized. Subcellular localizations of EtROP30 in sporozoites and merozoites were in the apical complex and rhoptry-like bulb, suggesting that EtROP30 is a member of ROPs in E. tenella. Sequence analysis showed that EtROP30 contained an N-terminal secretory signal, a protein kinase domain with eight E. tenella-specific rhoptry kinase 1 subfamily (ROPK-Eten1) motifs, and a C-terminal nuclear localization sequence (NLS), making EtROP30 the only ROP that contains both a secretory signal and an NLS in E. tenella. Subsequent experiments showed that EtROP30 was a secreted protein in the sporozoite stage, relying on NLS for migration to the host nucleus. In addition, EtROP30 showed significantly higher expression levels in the parasite merozoite stage, indicating that EtROP30 plays a critical role during parasite reinvasion and development and may be a viable option as a vaccine candidate for anti-parasitic infection. The immunization protection efficacies of EtROP30 were evaluated. Significant improvements in mean body weight gain, reduction of cecum lesion score, and number of oocysts excreted were observed, indicating that EtROP30 has good immunogenicity against E. tenella. In the present study, a ROP of E. tenella with secretory and nuclear localization characteristics has been identified, and proved to be an effective vaccine candidate against this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Bingxiang
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, China
| | - Zhao Ningning
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, China
| | - Wang Yakun
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, China
| | - Sun Lingyu
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, China
| | - Li Hongmei
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, China.
| | - Xiaomin Zhao
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, China. .,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, China. .,Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, China.
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The High Potency of Green Synthesized Copper Nanoparticles to Prevent the Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Mice. Acta Parasitol 2021; 66:1472-1479. [PMID: 34050875 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00421-4] [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: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Nowadays, due to the lack of an effective vaccine to prevent the toxoplasmosis, chemotherapy with the combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine is considered as the "gold standard" treatment for toxoplasmosis. Recent reports have exhibited that these synthesized chemical drugs are associated with some serious side effects. The present study aims to evaluate the prophylactic effects of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) green synthesized by Capparis spinosa fruit methanolic extract alone and combined with atovaquone against chronic toxoplasmosis induced by the Tehran strain of Toxoplasma gondii in mice METHODS: Mice were then orally administrated with CuNPs at the doses of 2 and 4 mg/kg/day and in combined with atovaquone 50 mg/kg for 14 days. Male BALB/c mice were divided into two seven groups include C1 (non-treated non-infected); C2 (treated with normal saline); C3 (Infected mice treated with atovaquone 100 mg/kg/day); Ex1 (treated with CuNPs 2 mg/kg/day); Ex2 (treated with CuNPs 4 mg/kg/day); Ex3 (treated with CuNPs 2 mg/kg/day + atovaquone 50 mg/kg/day); Ex3 (treated with CuNPs 4 mg/kg/day + atovaquone 50 mg/kg/day). On the 15th day, the mice were infected with the intraperitoneal inoculation of 20-25 tissue cysts from the Tehran strain of T. gondii. The mean numbers of brain tissue cysts and the mRNA levels of IL-12, IFN-γ, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in mice of each tested group were measured. RESULTS CuNPs were green synthesized by C. spinosa methanolic extract. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the particle size of CuNPs was 17 and 41 nm with maximum peak at the wavelength of 414 nm. The mean number of T. gondii tissue cysts in mice of tested groups of Ex1, Ex2, Ex3, and Ex4, significantly decreased as a dose-dependent response compared with control group. Moreover, in similar to the control group C3, no T. gondii tissue cysts was observed in mice of experimental group Ex3 and Ex4. The mRNA levels of IFN-γ, IL-12, and iNO was measured in mice of all tested groups. The mRNA levels of IFN-γ, IL-12, and iNO was increased in all mice of experimental groups in comparison with the control group C2; however, a significant enhancement was detected in mRNA level of IFN-γ, IL-12, and iNO in the tested groups of Ex3 and Ex4 when compared with control group C3. CONCLUSION The obtained results revealed the high potency of CuNPs alone and combined with atovaquone to prevent toxoplasmosis in mice. Although, the prophylactic effects of CuNPs and other properties, such as improved cellular immunity and low toxicity, are positive topics; however, more studies are required to approve these findings especially in clinical settings.
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Toxoplasma gondii Tyrosine-Rich Oocyst Wall Protein: A Closer Look through an In Silico Prism. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:1315618. [PMID: 34692826 PMCID: PMC8531782 DOI: 10.1155/2021/1315618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a global threat with significant zoonotic concern. The present in silico study was aimed at determination of bioinformatics features and immunogenic epitopes of a tyrosine-rich oocyst wall protein (TrOWP) of Toxoplasma gondii. After retrieving the amino acid sequence from UniProt database, several parameters were predicted including antigenicity, allergenicity, solubility and physico-chemical features, signal peptide, transmembrane domain, and posttranslational modifications. Following secondary and tertiary structure prediction, the 3D model was refined, and immunogenic epitopes were forecasted. It was a 25.57 kDa hydrophilic molecule with 236 residues, a signal peptide, and significant antigenicity scores. Moreover, several linear and conformational B-cell epitopes were present. Also, potential mouse and human cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) and helper T-lymphocyte (HTL) epitopes were predicted in the sequence. The findings of the present in silico study are promising as they render beneficial characteristics of TrOWP to be included in future vaccination experiments.
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Daher D, Shaghlil A, Sobh E, Hamie M, Hassan ME, Moumneh MB, Itani S, El Hajj R, Tawk L, El Sabban M, El Hajj H. Comprehensive Overview of Toxoplasma gondii-Induced and Associated Diseases. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111351. [PMID: 34832507 PMCID: PMC8625914 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a prevalent protozoan parasite of medical and veterinary significance. It is the etiologic agent of toxoplasmosis, a neglected disease in which incidence and symptoms differ between patients and regions. In immunocompetent patients, toxoplasmosis manifests as acute and chronic forms. Acute toxoplasmosis presents as mild or asymptomatic disease that evolves, under the host immune response, into a persistent chronic disease in healthy individuals. Chronic toxoplasmosis establishes as latent tissue cysts in the brain and skeletal muscles. In immunocompromised patients, chronic toxoplasmosis may reactivate, leading to a potentially life-threatening condition. Recently, the association between toxoplasmosis and various diseases has been shown. These span primary neuropathies, behavioral and psychiatric disorders, and different types of cancer. Currently, a direct pre-clinical or clinical molecular connotation between toxoplasmosis and most of its associated diseases remains poorly understood. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview on Toxoplasma-induced and associated diseases with a focus on available knowledge of the molecular players dictating these associations. We will also abridge the existing therapeutic options of toxoplasmosis and highlight the current gaps to explore the implications of toxoplasmosis on its associated diseases to advance treatment modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darine Daher
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.D.); (M.H.); (M.E.H.); (M.B.M.); (S.I.)
| | - Ahmad Shaghlil
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, R. Hariri Campus, Lebanese University, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (A.S.); (E.S.)
| | - Eyad Sobh
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, R. Hariri Campus, Lebanese University, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (A.S.); (E.S.)
| | - Maguy Hamie
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.D.); (M.H.); (M.E.H.); (M.B.M.); (S.I.)
| | - Malika Elhage Hassan
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.D.); (M.H.); (M.E.H.); (M.B.M.); (S.I.)
| | - Mohamad Bahij Moumneh
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.D.); (M.H.); (M.E.H.); (M.B.M.); (S.I.)
| | - Shaymaa Itani
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.D.); (M.H.); (M.E.H.); (M.B.M.); (S.I.)
| | - Rana El Hajj
- Department of Biological Sciences, Beirut Arab University, Beirut 1107 2809, Lebanon;
| | - Lina Tawk
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Balamand, Beirut 1100 2807, Lebanon;
| | - Marwan El Sabban
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon;
| | - Hiba El Hajj
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.D.); (M.H.); (M.E.H.); (M.B.M.); (S.I.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +961–1-350000 (ext. 4897)
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Nano DNA Vaccine Encoding Toxoplasma gondii Histone Deacetylase SIR2 Enhanced Protective Immunity in Mice. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13101582. [PMID: 34683874 PMCID: PMC8538992 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13101582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogen of toxoplasmosis, Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), is a zoonotic protozoon that can affect the health of warm-blooded animals including humans. Up to now, an effective vaccine with completely protection is still inaccessible. In this study, the DNA vaccine encoding T. gondii histone deacetylase SIR2 (pVAX1-SIR2) was constructed. To enhance the efficacy, chitosan and poly (d, l-lactic-co-glycolic)-acid (PLGA) were employed to design nanospheres loaded with the DNA vaccine, denoted as pVAX1-SIR2/CS and pVAX1-SIR2/PLGA nanospheres. The pVAX1-SIR2 plasmids were transfected into HEK 293-T cells, and the expression was evaluated by a laser scanning confocal microscopy. Then, the immune protections of pVAX1-SIR2 plasmid, pVAX1-SIR2/CS nanospheres, and pVAX1-SIR2/PLGA nanospheres were evaluated in a laboratory animal model. The in vivo findings indicated that pVAX1-SIR2/CS and pVAX1-SIR2/PLGA nanospheres could generate a mixed Th1/Th2 immune response, as indicated by the regulated production of antibodies and cytokines, the enhanced maturation and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) expression of dendritic cells (DCs), the induced splenocyte proliferation, and the increased percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. Furthermore, this enhanced immunity could obviously reduce the parasite burden in immunized animals through a lethal dose of T. gondii RH strain challenge. All these results propose that pVAX1-SIR2 plasmids entrapped in chitosan or PLGA nanospheres could be the promising vaccines against acute T. gondii infections and deserve further investigations.
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Virus-Like Particle Vaccines Against Respiratory Viruses and Protozoan Parasites. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2021; 433:77-106. [PMID: 33650036 DOI: 10.1007/82_2021_232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The field of vaccinology underwent massive advances over the past decades with the introduction of virus-like particles (VLPs), a supra-molecular nanoparticle vaccine platform that resembles viral structures without the ability to replicate in hosts. This innovative approach has been remarkably effective, as evidenced by its profound immunogenicity and safety. These highly desirable intrinsic properties enabled their further development as vaccines against a multitude of diseases. To date, several VLP-based vaccines have already been commercialized and many more are undergoing clinical evaluation prior to FDA approval. However, efficacious vaccines against a plethora of pathogens are still lacking, which imposes a tremendous socioeconomic burden and continues to threaten public health throughout the globe. This is especially the case for several respiratory pathogens and protozoan parasites. In this review, we briefly describe the fundamentals of VLP vaccines and the unique properties that enable these to be such valuable vaccine candidates and summarize current advances in VLP-based vaccines targeting respiratory and parasitic diseases of global importance.
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Yu Z, Cao W, Gao X, Aleem MT, Liu J, Luo J, Yan R, Xu L, Song X, Li X. With Chitosan and PLGA as the Delivery Vehicle, Toxoplasma gondii Oxidoreductase-Based DNA Vaccines Decrease Parasite Burdens in Mice. Front Immunol 2021; 12:726615. [PMID: 34512659 PMCID: PMC8430031 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.726615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an intracellular parasitic protozoan that can cause serious public health problems. However, there is no effectively preventive or therapeutic strategy available for human and animals. In the present study, we developed a DNA vaccine encoding T. gondii oxidoreductase from short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase family (TgSDRO-pVAX1) and then entrapped in chitosan and poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) to improve the efficacy. When encapsulated in chitosan (TgSDRO-pVAX1/CS nanospheres) and PLGA (TgSDRO-pVAX1/PLGA nanospheres), adequate plasmids were loaded and released stably. Before animal immunizations, the DNA vaccine was transfected into HEK 293-T cells and examined by western blotting and laser confocal microscopy. Th1/Th2 cellular and humoral immunity was induced in immunized mice, accompanied by modulated secretion of antibodies and cytokines, promoted the maturation and MHC expression of dendritic cells, and enhanced the percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. Immunization with TgSDRO-pVAX1/CS and TgSDRO-pVAX1/PLGA nanospheres conferred significant immunity with lower parasite burden in the mice model of acute toxoplasmosis. Furthermore, our results also lent credit to the idea that TgSDRO-pVAX1/CS and TgSDRO-pVAX1/PLGA nanospheres are substitutes for each other. In general, the current study proposed that TgSDRO-pVAX1 with chitosan or PLGA as the delivery vehicle is a promising vaccine candidate against acute toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengqing Yu
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wandi Cao
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuchen Gao
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Muhammad Tahir Aleem
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - 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, China
| | - 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, China
| | - Ruofeng Yan
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lixin Xu
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaokai Song
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiangrui Li
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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Insights into the biochemical features and immunogenic epitopes of common bradyzoite markers of the ubiquitous Toxoplasma gondii. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2021; 95:105037. [PMID: 34390868 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.105037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The widespread distribution of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection and its harsh outcomes in pregnant women and immunocompromised patients lead researchers towards vaccination strategies. The present in silico investigation was done to reveal biophysical properties and immunogenic epitopes of six bradyzoite markers for rational vaccine design in future. For this purpose, different web servers were used to predict antigenicity, allergenicity, solubility, physicochemical properties, post-translational modification sites (PTMs), the presence of signal peptide and transmembrane domains. Moreover, the secondary and tertiary structures of the proteins were revealed followed by refinement and validation. Finally, NetCTL server was used to predict cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes, with subsequent immunogenicity analysis. Also, IEDB server was utilized to predict helper T-lymphocyte (HTL) epitopes, followed by IFN-γ and IL-4 induction, antigenicity and population coverage analysis. As well, several linear antigenic B-cell epitopes were found, with good water solubility and without allergenicity. Totally, these proteins showed appropriate antigenicity, abundant PTMs as well as many CTL, HTL and B-cell epitopes, which could be directed for future vaccination studies in the context of multi-epitope vaccine design.
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Taghipour A, Tavakoli S, Sabaghan M, Foroutan M, Majidiani H, Soltani S, Badri M, Ghaffari AD, Soltani S. Immunoinformatic Analysis of Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase 7 (CDPK7) Showed Potential Targets for Toxoplasma gondii Vaccine. J Parasitol Res 2021; 2021:9974509. [PMID: 34336254 PMCID: PMC8295510 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9974509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites, including Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), express different types of calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs), which perform a variety of functions, including attacking and exiting the host cells. In the current bioinformatics study, we have used several web servers to predict the basic features and specifications of the CDPK7 protein. The findings showed that CDPK7 protein has 2133 amino acid residues with an average molecular weight (MW) of 219085.79 D. The aliphatic index with 68.78 and grand average of hydropathicity (GRAVY) with -0.331 score were estimated. The outcomes of current research showed that the CDPK7 protein included 502 alpha-helix, 1311 random coils, and 320 extended strands with GOR4 method. Considering the Ramachandran plot, the favored region contains more than 92% of the amino acid residues. In addition, evaluation of antigenicity and allergenicity showed that CDPK7 protein has immunogenic and nonallergenic nature. The present research provides key data for more animal-model study on the CDPK7 protein to design an efficient vaccine against toxoplasmosis in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Taghipour
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sanaz Tavakoli
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | | | - Masoud Foroutan
- USERN Office, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Majidiani
- Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Shahrzad Soltani
- USERN Office, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran
| | - Milad Badri
- Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Ali Dalir Ghaffari
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sheyda Soltani
- USERN Office, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran
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Multi-epitope vaccine expressed in Leishmania tarentolae confers protective immunity to Toxoplasma gondii in BALB/c mice. Microb Pathog 2021; 155:104925. [PMID: 33933602 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.104925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Current study deals with a novel multi-epitope vaccine designed in silico and its confirmation experiments for potential efficacy in BALB/c mice. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-binding and B-cell binding epitopes of five Toxoplasma antigens (SAG1, ROP16, GRA12, MIC4 and M2AP) were predicted. Selected epitopes were fused together using SAPGTP linker, and antigenicity, allergenicity, physico-chemical features, secondary and tertiary structures and validations were all performed via bioinformatics servers. Then, vaccine construct was cloned into pLEXSY-neo 2.1 vector. After Leishmania tarentolae transfection, live recombinant and wild parasites were subcutaneously injected into 6-8 week female BALB/c mice and immune responses were measured. Results showed that the peptide possessed 282 amino acid residues with average molecular weight of 28.06 kDa. About 90% of the peptide residues were incorporated in favored and allowed regions of the Ramachandran plot. Vaccinated mice showed remarkably elevated levels of specific antibodies (P < 0.05) with predominance of IgG2a production. Also, a Th1 immune response with production of IFN-γ and relatively increased survival rate against intraperitoneal challenge with RH strain was demonstrated in immunized mice than control groups (P < 0.05). Also, very low levels of IL-4 were demonstrated, which showed statistically significant association with controls (P < 0.05). The findings clarified that multi-epitope vaccine expressed in Leishmania tarentolae induced significant immune responses against acute toxoplasmosis.
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Asghari A, Shamsinia S, Nourmohammadi H, Majidiani H, Fatollahzadeh M, Nemati T, Irannejad H, Nouri HR, Ghasemi E, Shams M. Development of a chimeric vaccine candidate based on Toxoplasma gondii major surface antigen 1 and apicoplast proteins using comprehensive immunoinformatics approaches. Eur J Pharm Sci 2021; 162:105837. [PMID: 33836177 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2021.105837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This study was aimed at designing and evaluation of a multimeric vaccine construct against Toxoplasma gondii via utilization of SAG1 along with apicoplast ribosomal proteins (S2, S5 and L11). Top-ranked MHC-I and MHC-II binding as well as shared, immunodominant linear B-cell epitopes were predicted and joined together via appropriate linkers. Also, TLR-4 agonist (RS-09 synthetic protein) and His-tag were added to the N- and C-terminal of the vaccine sequence. The finally-engineered chimeric vaccine had a length of 291 amino acids with a molecular weight of 31.46 kDa. Physico-chemical features showed a soluble, highly-antigenic and non-allergenic candidate. Secondary and tertiary structures were predicted, and subsequent analyses confirmed the construct stability that was capable to properly interact with human TLR-4. Immunoinformatics-based simulation displayed potent stimulation of T- and B-cell mediated immune responses upon vaccination with the proposed multi-epitope candidate. In conclusion, obtained information demonstrated a highly antigenic vaccine candidate, which could develop high levels of IFN-γ and other components of cellular immune profile, and can be directed for toxoplasmosis prophylactic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Asghari
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sadegh Shamsinia
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hassan Nourmohammadi
- Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran; Department of Internal Medicine, Shahid Mostafa Khomeini Hospital, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Majidiani
- Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Mohammad Fatollahzadeh
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Taher Nemati
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hamid Irannejad
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Nouri
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran; Immunoregulation Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Ezatollah Ghasemi
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Medicine, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran.
| | - Morteza Shams
- Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
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Shaapan RM, Al-Abodi HR, Alanazi AD, Abdel-Shafy S, Rashidipour M, Shater AF, Mahmoudvand H. Myrtus communis Essential Oil; Anti-Parasitic Effects and Induction of the Innate Immune System in Mice with Toxoplasma gondii Infection. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26040819. [PMID: 33557392 PMCID: PMC7915315 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26040819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Myrtus communis (M. communis) is a wild aromatic plant used for traditional herbal medicine that can be demonstrated in insecticidal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity of its essential oils (MCEO). Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the prophylactic effects of M. communis essential oil (MCEO) against chronic toxoplasmosis induced by the Tehran strain of Toxoplasma gondii in mice. Methods: Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was performed to determine the chemical composition of MCEO. Mice were then orally administrated with MCEO at the doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg/day and also atovaquone 100 mg/kg for 21 days. On the 15th day, the mice were infected with the intraperitoneal inoculation of 20–25 tissue cysts from the Tehran strain of T. gondii. The mean numbers of brain tissue cysts and the mRNA levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ in mice of each tested group were measured. Results: By GC/MS, the major constituents were α-pinene (24.7%), 1,8-cineole (19.6%), and linalool (12.6%), respectively. The results demonstrated that the mean number of T. gondii tissue cysts in experimental groups Ex1 (p < 0.05), Ex2 (p < 0.001) and Ex3 (p < 0.001) was meaningfully reduced in a dose-dependent manner compared with the control group (C2). The mean diameter of tissue cyst was significantly reduced in mice of the experimental groups Ex2 (p < 0.01) and Ex3 (p < 0.001). The results demonstrated that although the mRNA levels of IFN-γ and IL-12 were elevated in all mice of experimental groups, a significant increase (p < 0.001) was observed in tested groups of Ex2 and Ex3 when compared with control groups. Conclusion: The findings of the present study demonstrated the potent prophylactic effects of MCEO especially in the doses 200 and 300 mg/kg in mice infected with T. gondii. Although the exceptional anti-Toxoplasma effects of MCEO and other possessions, such as improved innate immunity and low toxicity are positive topics, there is, however, a need for more proof from investigations in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raafat M. Shaapan
- Department of Zoonosis, Veterinary Research Division, National Research Centre, El-Tahrir Street, Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt;
| | - Hiba Riyadh Al-Abodi
- Department of Environment, College of Science, University of Al-Qadisiyah, P.O. Box 88, Al-Diwaniyah 58001, Iraq;
| | - Abdullah D. Alanazi
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Humanities, Shaqra University, Ad-Dawadimi 11911, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Sobhy Abdel-Shafy
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Division, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt;
| | - Marzieh Rashidipour
- Nutritional Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad 68149-93165, Iran;
| | - Abdullah F. Shater
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Hossein Mahmoudvand
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad 68149-93165, Iran
- Correspondence:
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Synergistic effect of GRA7 and profilin proteins in vaccination against chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection. Vaccine 2021; 39:933-942. [PMID: 33451777 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.12.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease with worldwide prevalence in humans and warm-blooded animal populations. In livestock Toxoplasma gondii is the causal agent of significant economic losses since it can cause abortions in goats and sheep. It is estimated that one third of the world population is infected. Although there are effective therapies for acute infection, these are sometimes poorly tolerated, teratogenic, and have a long administration time. Considering the deficiencies that exist related to the prevention and treatment of toxoplasmosis, the development of a safe and effective vaccine would be extremely valuable in fighting against this infection. In the present work, we characterize for the first time the adjuvant and immunogenic potential of a recombinant profilin protein (rTgPF), in a vaccine formulation alone or in combination with the well-known GRA7 antigen candidate in a murine toxoplasmosis model. Since TgPF acts as a ligand for TLR11 and 12 inducing innate immune responses that promote type 1 adaptive responses, we first study the capacity of the mix rGRA7 + rTgPF to initiate an immune response by evaluating dendritic cell activation. Both rTgPF and rGRA7 induces activation of mouse BMDCs more efficiently than the single proteins, evidenced by increased expression of CD80 and CD86 co-stimulatory proteins and secretion of IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12 cytokines after in vitro stimulation. The sum of the effects of rGRA7 and rTgPF on BMDCs maturation led us to assay them in a vaccination protocol. BALB/c mice vaccinated with this mix elicited a Th1-biased immunity via the induction of lymphocyte proliferation, activation of CD4+T cells and increased IFN-γ production that resulted in enhanced protection against chronic Toxoplama gondii infection. Profilin per se induce only cellular immunity but augments the effect of rGRA7 immune responses when used together, thus allowing us to postulate rTgPF as a potential adjuvant in a protein vaccine.
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Pagheh AS, Daryani A, Alizadeh P, Hassannia H, Rodrigues Oliveira SM, Kazemi T, Rezaei F, Pereira MDL, Ahmadpour E. Protective effect of a DNA vaccine cocktail encoding ROP13 and GRA14 with Alum nano-adjuvant against Toxoplasma gondii infection in mice. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2021; 132:105920. [PMID: 33421633 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2021.105920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that can cause serious public health problems. The development of a safe and effective vaccine against T. gondii is urgently needed to prevent and control the spread of toxoplasmosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immune responses induced by a pcGRA14 + pcROP13 vaccine cocktail in BALB/c mice. All groups were immunized intramuscularly three times at two-week intervals. The production of anti-Toxoplasma gondii lysate antigen (TLA) antibodies, lymphocyte proliferation, serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 cytokines and the survival time were monitored after vaccination and challenged with the virulent RH strain of T. gondii. The results showed that immunization with the pcGRA14 + pcROP13 DNA vaccine significantly increased the production of specific IgG antibodies and cytokines against toxoplasmosis. Interestingly, high levels of IgG2a and IFN-γ were found in animals vaccinated with DNA vaccine cocktail. Furthermore, immunized mice challenged with the RH strain of T. gondii showed prolonged survival time when compared to control groups (P <0.05). The present study demonstrates the potential of a DNA cocktail vaccine expressing pcGRA14 and pcROP13 in developing specific immune responses and providing effective protection against T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdol Sattar Pagheh
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Paria Alizadeh
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hadi Hassannia
- Amol Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | | | - Tohid Kazemi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Maria de Lourdes Pereira
- CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ehsan Ahmadpour
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Bandini G, Agop-Nersesian C, van der Wel H, Mandalasi M, Kim HW, West CM, Samuelson J. The nucleocytosolic O-fucosyltransferase SPINDLY affects protein expression and virulence in Toxoplasma gondii. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100039. [PMID: 33158988 PMCID: PMC7949088 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.015883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Once considered unusual, nucleocytoplasmic glycosylation is now recognized as a conserved feature of eukaryotes. While in animals, O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) modifies thousands of intracellular proteins, the human pathogen Toxoplasma gondii transfers a different sugar, fucose, to proteins involved in transcription, mRNA processing, and signaling. Knockout experiments showed that TgSPY, an ortholog of plant SPINDLY and paralog of host OGT, is required for nuclear O-fucosylation. Here we verify that TgSPY is the nucleocytoplasmic O-fucosyltransferase (OFT) by 1) complementation with TgSPY-MYC3, 2) its functional dependence on amino acids critical for OGT activity, and 3) its ability to O-fucosylate itself and a model substrate and to specifically hydrolyze GDP-Fuc. While many of the endogenous proteins modified by O-Fuc are important for tachyzoite fitness, O-fucosylation by TgSPY is not essential. Growth of Δspy tachyzoites in fibroblasts is modestly affected, despite marked reductions in the levels of ectopically expressed proteins normally modified with O-fucose. Intact TgSPY-MYC3 localizes to the nucleus and cytoplasm, whereas catalytic mutants often displayed reduced abundance. Δspy tachyzoites of a luciferase-expressing type II strain exhibited infection kinetics in mice similar to wild-type but increased persistence in the chronic brain phase, potentially due to an imbalance of regulatory protein levels. The modest changes in parasite fitness in vitro and in mice, despite profound effects on reporter protein accumulation, and the characteristic punctate localization of O-fucosylated proteins suggest that TgSPY controls the levels of proteins to be held in reserve for response to novel stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Bandini
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University Henry Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
| | - Carolina Agop-Nersesian
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University Henry Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hanke van der Wel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Msano Mandalasi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA; Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Hyun W Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Christopher M West
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA; Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA; Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - John Samuelson
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University Henry Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Toxoplasma gondii GRA9 Regulates the Activation of NLRP3 Inflammasome to Exert Anti-Septic Effects in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228437. [PMID: 33182702 PMCID: PMC7696177 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Dense granule proteins (GRAs) are essential components in Toxoplasma gondii, which are suggested to be promising serodiagnostic markers in toxoplasmosis. In this study, we investigated the function of GRA9 in host response and the associated regulatory mechanism, which were unknown. We found that GRA9 interacts with NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) involved in inflammation by forming the NLRP3 inflammasome. The C-terminal of GRA9 (GRA9C) is essential for GRA9–NLRP3 interaction by disrupting the NLRP3 inflammasome through blocking the binding of apoptotic speck-containing (ASC)-NLRP3. Notably, Q200 of GRA9C is essential for the interaction of NLRP3 and blocking the conjugation of ASC. Recombinant GRA9C (rGRA9C) showed an anti-inflammatory effect and the elimination of bacteria by converting M1 to M2 macrophages. In vivo, rGRA9C increased the anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effects and subsequent anti-septic activity in CLP- and E. coli- or P. aeruginosa-induced sepsis model mice by increasing M2 polarization. Taken together, our findings defined a role of T. gondii GRA9 associated with NLRP3 in host macrophages, suggesting its potential as a new candidate therapeutic agent for sepsis.
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Toxoplasma gondii ROP38 protein: Bioinformatics analysis for vaccine design improvement against toxoplasmosis. Microb Pathog 2020; 149:104488. [PMID: 32916240 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Rhoptry proteins (ROPs) play a significant role in various stages of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) life cycle, being critical for both invasion and intracellular survival. ROP38 is a key manipulator of host gene expression and has a function in tachyzoite to bradyzoite conversion. In this study, we've employed various bioinformatics online tools for immunogenicity prediction of ROP38 protein, comprising physico-chemical, antigenic and allergenic profiles, transmembrane domain, subcellular localization, post-translational modification (PTM) sites, secondary and 3D structure, B-cell, MHC-binding and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes. The findings showed 54 PTM sites without a transmembrane domain. Also, ROP38 was proved a non-allergenic and antigenic protein. The protein had Sec signal peptide (Sec/SPI) with 0.8762 likelihood. The secondary structure included 52.68% random coil, 29.57% alpha helix and 17.74% extended strand. Based on Ramachandran plot output for refined model, 95.3%, 3.4%, and 1.4% of amino acid residues were incorporated in the favored, allowed, and outlier regions, respectively. B-cell epitopes TFPGDDIQTSS (67-72) and KAKNKWGRTRYTLQG (207-221) as well as T-cell epitope LSPVGFFTAL (6-15) possessed the highest antigenic index in the protein sequence. This paper is a premise for further researches, and provides insights for the development of a suitable vaccine against toxoplasmosis. More empirical studies are required using the ROP38 alone or in combination with other antigens/epitopes in the future.
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Kim MJ, Lee SH, Kang HJ, Chu KB, Park H, Jin H, Moon EK, Kim SS, Quan FS. Virus-like particle vaccine displaying Toxoplasma gondii apical membrane antigen 1 induces protection against T. gondii ME49 infection in mice. Microb Pathog 2020; 142:104090. [PMID: 32097746 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is an intracellular parasitic disease caused by the protozoa Toxoplasma gondii, which affects about half of the world's population. In spite of the strenuous endeavors, a T. gondii vaccine for clinical use remains unreported to date. In the present study, we generated virus-like particles (VLPs) containing T. gondii apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) and assessed its efficacy in a murine model. VLPs were characterized using western blot and TEM. T. gondii-specific IgG and IgA antibody responses in sera, germinal center B cell responses in spleen, brain cyst counts and their sizes were determined. Elevated T. gondii-specific IgG and IgA antibody responses were observed from the sera of AMA1 VLP-immunized mice. Immunization with AMA1 VLPs enhanced T. gondii-specific antibody-secreting cell responses and germinal center B cell responses upon antigen stimulation. Brain tissue analysis revealed that AMA1 VLP-immunization reduced cyst formation and its size compared to control. Also, VLP-immunized mice were less susceptible to body weight loss and displayed enhanced survival rate compared to the control group. Our results demonstrated that the immune response induced by T. gondii AMA1 VLPs confer partial protection against T. gondii infection and provides important insight into potential T. gondii vaccine design strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Ju Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Su-Hwa Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae-Ji Kang
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki-Back Chu
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunwoo Park
- Health Park Co., Ltd, Seoul, 06627, Republic of Korea
| | - Hui Jin
- Health Park Co., Ltd, Seoul, 06627, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Kyung Moon
- Department of Medical Zoology, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Soo Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea; Medical Research Center for Bioreaction to Reactive Oxygen Species and Biomedical Science Institute, School of Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Fu-Shi Quan
- Department of Medical Zoology, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea; Medical Research Center for Bioreaction to Reactive Oxygen Species and Biomedical Science Institute, School of Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea.
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Maraghi S, Ghadiri AA, Tavalla M, Shojaee S, Abdizadeh R. Evaluation of immunogenicity and protective effect of DNA vaccine encoding surface antigen1 (SAG1) of Toxoplasma gondii and TLR-5 ligand as a genetic adjuvant against acute toxoplasmosis in BALB/c mice. Biologicals 2019; 62:39-49. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2019.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
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Proteomic and structural characterization of self-assembled vesicles from excretion/secretion products of Toxoplasma gondii. J Proteomics 2019; 208:103490. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2019.103490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Pagheh AS, Sarvi S, Gholami S, Asgarian-Omran H, Valadan R, Hassannia H, Ahmadpour E, Fasihi-Ramandie M, Dodangeh S, Hosseni-khah Z, Daryani A. Protective efficacy induced by DNA prime and recombinant protein boost vaccination with Toxoplasma gondii GRA14 in mice. Microb Pathog 2019; 134:103601. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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C57BL/6 mice immunized with synthetic peptides from Toxoplasma gondii surface and microneme immunodominant antigens are able to decrease parasite burden in the brain tissues. Acta Trop 2019; 196:1-6. [PMID: 31059707 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular protozoan able to infect a wide range of hosts. The infection is particularly severe in immunocompromised patients or during pregnancy, circumstances in which the parasite could find a more favorable microenvironment to replicate and invade host tissues. The current treatment consists in toxic drugs for the patients, being not appropriate for the fetuses and immunodeficient patients. So far, there is a lack of available vaccine to prevent the disease. The present study aimed to evaluate the immune response induced by peptides derived from parasite immunodominant proteins from key components, as surface, rhoptry, microneme and dense granule antigens. A panel of eleven peptides was selected considering the highest scores for B cell epitope prediction by in silico analyses. The peptides were divided in groups, according to the parasite organelle locations, and used to immunize C57BL/6 mice. The animals were submitted to three doses of immunization and infected by 10 cysts of T. gondii ME49 strain. Blood samples were collected and used to measure the production of antibodies and cytokines, while the brains were collected to determine the parasite burden by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). It was found that synthetic peptides from all targets were able to induce IgG synthesis in immunized mice, as well as to modulate the Th1/Th2 cytokine production, particularly the MIC and SRS groups, which presented the IFN-γ/IL-10 and TNF-α/IL-10 ratios 30 and 10 times higher, respectively, when compared with non-immunized group. Interestingly, the animals from MIC and SRS groups had significantly lower levels of T. gondii DNA in their brains. In summary, it can be concluded that peptides mainly from SRS and MIC parasite components constitute relevant targets to design vaccine candidates against parasite burden observed during chronic toxoplasmosis.
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Konstantinovic N, Guegan H, Stäjner T, Belaz S, Robert-Gangneux F. Treatment of toxoplasmosis: Current options and future perspectives. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2019; 15:e00036. [PMID: 32095610 PMCID: PMC7033996 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2019.e00036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide parasitic disease infecting about one third of humans, with possible severe outcomes in neonates and immunocompromised patients. Despite continuous and successful efforts to improve diagnosis, therapeutic schemes have barely evolved since many years. This article aims at reviewing the main clinical trials and current treatment practices, and at addressing future perspectives in the light of ongoing researches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda Konstantinovic
- National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Hélène Guegan
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Tijana Stäjner
- National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Sorya Belaz
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
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Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Healthy Volunteer Blood Donors Using Serological and Molecular Methods from Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Southwest Iran. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2019. [DOI: 10.5812/jjm.91042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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