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Guo XD, Zhou CX, Cui LL, Qiu HJ, Wang YL, Fu M, Liu DA, Han B, Zhou HY, Zhou DH. Evaluation of protective immunity induced by a DNA vaccine encoding SAG2 and SRS2 against Toxoplasma gondii infection in mice. Acta Trop 2024; 257:107302. [PMID: 38959992 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an important protozoan pathogen, which can cause severe diseases in the newborns and immunocompromised individuals. Developing an effective vaccine against Toxoplasma infection is a critically important global health priority. Immunofluorescence staining analysis revealed that TgSAG2 and TgSRS2 are membrane associated and displayed on the surface of the parasite. Immunizations with pBud-SAG2, pBud-SRS2 and pBud-SAG2-SRS2 DNA vaccines significantly increased the production of specific IgG antibodies. Immunization with pBud-SAG2-SRS2 elicited cellular immune response with higher concentrations of IFN-γ and IL-4 compared to the control group. Antigen-specific lymphocyte proliferations in the pBud-SRS2 and pBud-SAG2-SRS2 groups were significantly higher compared to that in the control group. Furthermore, 30 % of mice immunized with pBud-SAG2-SRS2 survived after the challenge infection with virulent T. gondii RH tachyzoites. This study revealed that immunization with pBud-SAG2-SRS2 induced potent immune responses, and has the potential as a promising vaccine candidate for the control of T. gondii infection.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
- Vaccines, DNA/genetics
- Vaccines, DNA/administration & dosage
- Antigens, Protozoan/immunology
- Antigens, Protozoan/genetics
- Protozoan Proteins/immunology
- Protozoan Proteins/genetics
- Toxoplasma/immunology
- Toxoplasma/genetics
- Antibodies, Protozoan/blood
- Protozoan Vaccines/immunology
- Protozoan Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Protozoan Vaccines/genetics
- Mice
- Immunoglobulin G/blood
- Female
- Toxoplasmosis, Animal/prevention & control
- Toxoplasmosis, Animal/immunology
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Interferon-gamma/immunology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Cell Proliferation
- Interleukin-4/immunology
- Survival Analysis
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu-Dong Guo
- Key Laboratory of Fujian-Taiwan Animal Pathogen Biology, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian Province, PR China; Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Chun-Xue Zhou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, PR China.
| | - Lin-Lin Cui
- Key Laboratory of Fujian-Taiwan Animal Pathogen Biology, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian Province, PR China
| | - Hui-Jie Qiu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Yong-Liang Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Ming Fu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Dai-Ang Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Bing Han
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Huai-Yu Zhou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Dong-Hui Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Fujian-Taiwan Animal Pathogen Biology, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian Province, PR China.
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Recent Advances in the Development of Adenovirus-Vectored Vaccines for Parasitic Infections. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16030334. [PMID: 36986434 PMCID: PMC10058461 DOI: 10.3390/ph16030334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines against parasites have lagged centuries behind those against viral and bacterial infections, despite the devastating morbidity and widespread effects of parasitic diseases across the globe. One of the greatest hurdles to parasite vaccine development has been the lack of vaccine strategies able to elicit the complex and multifaceted immune responses needed to abrogate parasitic persistence. Viral vectors, especially adenovirus (AdV) vectors, have emerged as a potential solution for complex disease targets, including HIV, tuberculosis, and parasitic diseases, to name a few. AdVs are highly immunogenic and are uniquely able to drive CD8+ T cell responses, which are known to be correlates of immunity in infections with most protozoan and some helminthic parasites. This review presents recent developments in AdV-vectored vaccines targeting five major human parasitic diseases: malaria, Chagas disease, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and toxoplasmosis. Many AdV-vectored vaccines have been developed for these diseases, utilizing a wide variety of vectors, antigens, and modes of delivery. AdV-vectored vaccines are a promising approach for the historically challenging target of human parasitic diseases.
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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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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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Pagheh AS, Sarvi S, Sharif M, Rezaei F, Ahmadpour E, Dodangeh S, Omidian Z, Hassannia H, Mehrzadi S, Daryani A. Toxoplasma gondii surface antigen 1 (SAG1) as a potential candidate to develop vaccine against toxoplasmosis: A systematic review. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 69:101414. [PMID: 31958746 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite that infects a broad range of animal species and humans. As the main surface antigen of the tachyzoite, SAG1 is involved in the process of recognition, adhesion and invasion of host cells. The aim of the current systematic review study is to clarify the latest status of studies in the literature regarding SAG1-associated recombinant proteins or SAG1-associated recombinant DNAs as potential vaccines against toxoplasmosis. Data were systematically collected from six databases including PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, Google Scholar, EBSCO and Scopus, up to 1st of January 2019. A total of 87 articles were eligible for inclusion criteria in the current systematic review. The most common antigens used for experimental cocktail vaccines together with SAG1 were ROP2 and SAG2. In addition, the most parasite strains used were RH and ME49. Freund's adjuvant and cholera toxin have been predominantly utilized. Furthermore, regarding the animal models, route and dose of vaccination, challenge methods, measurement of immune responses and cyst burden have been discussed in the text. Most of these experimental vaccines induce immune responses and have a high degree of protection against parasite infections, increase survival rates and duration and reduce cyst burdens. The data demonstrated that SAG1 antigen has a high potential for use as a vaccine and provided a promising approach for protecting humans and animals against toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdol Sattar Pagheh
- Infectious Disease Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mehdi Sharif
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Sari Branch, Islamic AZAD University, Sari, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rezaei
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ehsan Ahmadpour
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Samira Dodangeh
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Zahra Omidian
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Hadi Hassannia
- Immunonogenetics Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Saeed Mehrzadi
- Razi Drug Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran..
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Xue J, Jiang W, Li J, Xiong W, Tian Z, Zhang Q, Li S, Liu C, Huang K, Wang Q. Toxoplasma gondii RPL40 is a circulating antigen with immune protection effect. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2019; 66. [PMID: 31592775 DOI: 10.14411/fp.2019.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Screening and identification of protective antigens are essential for the prevention of infections with Toxoplasma gondii (Nicolle et Manceaux, 1908). In our previous study, T. gondii ribosomal-ubiquitin protein L40 (TgRPL40) was identified as a circulating antigen. However, the function and protective value of TgRPL40 was unknown. In the current study, recombinant TgRPL40 was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 and antibody was prepared. Western blotting analysis indicated that TgRPL40 was present in circulating antigens and excretory/secretary antigens (ESA). Immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy analysis revealed that TgRPL40 protein is widely distributed in the tachyzoites. Immunisation with recombinant TgRPL40 prolonged the survival of mice infected with tachyzoites. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that immunisation with recombinant TgRPL40 reduced the parasite burden in blood, liver, spleen and brain of mice infected with tachyzoites. These observations indicate that TgRPL40 is a circulating antigen and is an effector of immune protection against acute T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junxin Xue
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai, P. R. China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, P. R. China.,Shanghai Customs, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Jian Li
- Shanghai Customs, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Shanghai Customs, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | | | | | | | | | - Kehe Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Quan Wang
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai, P. R. China
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Huang SY, Chen K, Wang JL, Yang B, Zhu XQ. Evaluation of protective immunity induced by recombinant calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 (TgCDPK1) protein against acute toxoplasmosis in mice. Microb Pathog 2019; 133:103560. [PMID: 31145981 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular zoonotic parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, which can cause economic losses and serious public health problems worldwide. A member of the T. gondii calcium-dependent protein kinases family, TgCDPK1 was recently identified as an essential regulator of exocytosis in T. gondii, and participated in direct parasite motility, host-cell invasion and egress. In the present study, the protective immunity of recombinant TgCDPK1 protein (rTgCDPK1) was evaluated against acute toxoplasmosis in mice. rTgCDPK1 were expressed and purified, BABL/c mice were intraperitoneally immunized with rTgCDPK1 and challenged with the highly virulent RH strain of T. gondii. The specific immune responses were analyzed by measuring the cytokine and serum antibody, and lymphocyte proliferation assays, flow cytometry of lymphocytes and the survival curve were employed to evaluate the protective efficacy. From the results we found that special humoral and cellular responses could be elicited in vaccine mice, and higher level of IgG antibody, and the significant increased levels of Th1-type cytokines IFN-γ, IL-12 (p70), IL10 and CD3+CD4+CD8- and CD3+CD8+CD4- T cells could also be detected comparing to control mice (P < 0.05). All vaccinated mice prolonged survival time (14.90 ± 2.89 days) challenge with 1000 tachyzoites of RH, while the control mice died within 8 days. These results indicated that TgCDPK1 protein was a potential vaccine candidate against acute toxoplasmosis.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Protozoan/blood
- Antigens, Protozoan/genetics
- Antigens, Protozoan/immunology
- Cloning, Molecular
- Cytokines/metabolism
- Female
- Genes, Protozoan/genetics
- Immunity, Cellular
- Immunity, Humoral
- Immunization
- Immunoglobulin G/blood
- Lymphocytes/immunology
- Mice
- Protein Kinases/genetics
- Protein Kinases/immunology
- Protozoan Proteins/genetics
- Protozoan Proteins/immunology
- Recombinant Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Proteins/immunology
- Spleen/immunology
- Survival Analysis
- Toxoplasma/genetics
- Toxoplasma/immunology
- Toxoplasmosis, Animal/immunology
- Toxoplasmosis, Animal/prevention & control
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yang Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, and Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, 225009, PR China.
| | - Kai Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, PR China
| | - Jin-Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, PR China
| | - Bin Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, and Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, 225009, PR China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, and Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, 225009, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, PR China
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Lu G, Zhou J, Zhao YH, Wang L. DNA vaccine ROP29 from Toxoplasma gondii containing R848 enhances protective immunity in mice. Parasite Immunol 2019; 40:e12578. [PMID: 30091162 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite that causes a global epidemic parasitic disease. Studies using DNA vaccines for the control of toxoplasmosis have made considerable progress. ROP proteins were proven to be excellent candidates for T. gondii DNA vaccine development. METHODS AND RESULTS Here, a ROP29 DNA vaccine was successfully produced and injected into mice in combination with R848 to evaluate its ability to provide protection against T. gondii challenge. Compared with other mice, the mice injected with R848/pROP29 produced higher levels of IgG, IgG2a, interleukin (IL)-12, and interferon gamma (IFN-γ). Moreover, after a challenge of 20 T. gondii cysts, the number of brain cysts was lower in the R848/pROP29-immunized mice than in the other experimental mice. CONCLUSIONS R848 could improve the productions of IL-12 and IFN-γ, thus enhancing the immune responses stimulated by the pROP29 DNA vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Lu
- Institute of Pathogen Biology, Taishan Medical College, Taian, Shandong, China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Department of Sports Medicine Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ying Hui Zhao
- Institute of Pathogen Biology, Taishan Medical College, Taian, Shandong, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Ji, Nan Children's Hospital, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
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Zhang D, Jiang N, Chen Q. ROP9, MIC3, and SAG2 are heparin-binding proteins in Toxoplasma gondii and involved in host cell attachment and invasion. Acta Trop 2019; 192:22-29. [PMID: 30664845 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligatory intracellular parasite that can infect varieties of warm-blooded animals, including humans and birds. Heparan sulfate (HS) is widely distributed on the eukaryotic cell surface of vertebrates and can inhibit T. gondii invasion. In this study, we investigated the transcription and expression of the level of TgROP9, TgMIC3, and TgSAG2 in T. gondii RH strain, and found that the expression levels of these three proteins in invading parasites were higher compared to those free ranging parasites. The recombinant proteins showed specific binding activity to both heparin and host cell surface. Incubation of these proteins with the host cells could block T. gondiiinvasion. Furthermore, protein-specific antibodies also blocked parasite invasion. Antibodies in the sera of T. gondii infected individuals recognized the recombinant TgROP9, TgMIC3, and TgSAG2, which suggested the exposure of these proteins to human immune system. Mice immunized with the three proteins exhibited protective immunity against lethal challenge. The data collectively suggested that these parasitic proteins may be used as candidate antigens for development of anti-toxoplasmosis vaccine.
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Gerlach T, Elbahesh H, Saletti G, Rimmelzwaan GF. Recombinant influenza A viruses as vaccine vectors. Expert Rev Vaccines 2019; 18:379-392. [PMID: 30777467 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2019.1582338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Various viruses, including poxviruses, adenoviruses and vesicular stomatitis virus, have been considered as vaccine vectors for the delivery of antigens of interest in the development of vaccines against newly emerging pathogens. AREAS COVERED Here, we review results that have been obtained with influenza A viruses (IAV) as vaccine vectors. With the advent of reverse genetics technology, IAV-based recombinant vaccine candidates have been constructed that induce protective immunity to a variety of different pathogens of interest, including West Nile virus, Plasmodium falciparum and respiratory syncytial virus. The various cloning strategies to produce effective and attenuated, safe to use IAV-based viral vectors are discussed. EXPERT COMMENTARY It was concluded that IAV-based vector system has several advantages and holds promise for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Gerlach
- a Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ) , University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (TiHo) , Hannover , Germany
| | - Husni Elbahesh
- a Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ) , University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (TiHo) , Hannover , Germany
| | - Giulietta Saletti
- a Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ) , University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (TiHo) , Hannover , Germany
| | - Guus F Rimmelzwaan
- a Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses (RIZ) , University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (TiHo) , Hannover , Germany
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Wang JL, Zhang NZ, Li TT, He JJ, Elsheikha HM, Zhu XQ. Advances in the Development of Anti-Toxoplasma gondii Vaccines: Challenges, Opportunities, and Perspectives. Trends Parasitol 2019; 35:239-253. [PMID: 30718083 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Important progress has been made in understanding how immunity is elicited against Toxoplasma gondii - a complex pathogen with multiple mechanisms of immune evasion. Many vaccine candidates have been tested using various strategies in animal models. However, none of these strategies has delivered as yet, and important challenges remain in the development of vaccines that can eliminate the tissue cysts and/or fully block vertical transmission. In this review, we provide an overview of the current understanding of the host immune response to T. gondii infection and summarize the key limitations for the development of an effective, safe, and durable toxoplasmosis vaccine. We also discuss how the successes and failures in developing and testing vaccine candidates have provided a roadmap for future vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China
| | - Nian-Zhang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China
| | - Ting-Ting Li
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China
| | - Jun-Jun He
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China
| | - Hany M Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China.
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12
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Zhang D, Jiang N, Chen Q. Vaccination with recombinant adenoviruses expressing Toxoplasma gondii MIC3, ROP9, and SAG2 provide protective immunity against acute toxoplasmosis in mice. Vaccine 2019; 37:1118-1125. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.12.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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13
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Han Y, Zhou A, Lu G, Zhao G, Sha W, Wang L, Guo J, Zhou J, Zhou H, Cong H, He S. DNA Vaccines Encoding Toxoplasma gondii Cathepsin C 1 Induce Protection against Toxoplasmosis in Mice. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2017; 55:505-512. [PMID: 29103265 PMCID: PMC5678475 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2017.55.5.505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2017] [Revised: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii cathepsin C proteases (TgCPC1, 2, and 3) are important for the growth and survival of T. gondii. In the present study, B-cell and T-cell epitopes of TgCPC1 were predicted using DNAstar and the Immune Epitope Database. A TgCPC1 DNA vaccine was constructed, and its ability to induce protective immune responses against toxoplasmosis in BALB/c mice was evaluated in the presence or absence of the adjuvant α-GalCer. As results, TgCPC1 DNA vaccine with or without adjuvant α-GalCer showed higher levels of IgG and IgG2a in the serum, as well as IL-2 and IFN-γ in the spleen compared to controls (PBS, pEGFP-C1, and α-Galcer). Upon challenge infection with tachyzoites of T. gondii (RH), pCPC1/α-Galcer immunized mice showed the longest survival among all the groups. Mice vaccinated with DNA vaccine without adjuvant (pCPC1) showed better protective immunity compared to other controls (PBS, pEGFP-C1, and α-Galcer). These results indicate that a DNA vaccine encoding TgCPC1 is a potential vaccine candidate against toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yali Han
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, P. R. China
| | - Aihua Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, P. R. China
| | - Gang Lu
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, P. R. China
| | - Guanghui Zhao
- Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266035, P. R. China
| | - Wenchao Sha
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, P. R. China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Jinan Children's Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, 250022, P. R. China
| | - Jingjing Guo
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, P. R. China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, P. R. China
| | - Huaiyu Zhou
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, P. R. China
| | - Hua Cong
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, P. R. China
| | - Shenyi He
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, P. R. China
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14
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Lai MY, Lau YL. Screening and identification of host proteins interacting with Toxoplasma gondii SAG2 by yeast two-hybrid assay. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:456. [PMID: 28969712 PMCID: PMC5625703 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2387-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 09/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The identification of receptors or binding partners of Toxoplasma gondii from humans is an essential activity. Many proteins involved in T. gondii invasion have been characterized, and their contribution for parasite entry has been proposed. However, their molecular interactions remain unclear. RESULTS Yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) experiment was used to identify the binding partners of surface antigens of T. gondii by using SAG2 as bait. Colony PCR was performed and positive clones were sent for sequencing to confirm their identity. The yeast plasmids for true positive clones were rescued by transformation into E. coli TOP 10F' cells. The interplay between bait and prey was confirmed by β-galactosidase assay and co-immunoprecipitation experiment. We detected 20 clones interacting with SAG2 based on a series of the selection procedures. Following the autoactivation and toxicity tests, SAG2 was proven to be a suitable candidate as a bait. Thirteen clones were further examined by small scale Y2H experiment. The results indicated that a strong interaction existed between Homo sapiens zinc finger protein and SAG2, which could activate the expressions of the reporter genes in diploid yeast. Co-immunoprecipitation experiment result indicated the binding between this prey and SAG2 protein was significant (Mann-Whitney U-test: Z = -1.964, P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Homo sapiens zinc finger protein was found to interact with SAG2. To improve the understanding of this prey protein's function, advanced investigations need to be carried out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Yee Lai
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yee-Ling Lau
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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15
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Zhao G, Song X, Kong X, Zhang N, Qu S, Zhu W, Yang Y, Wang Q. Immunization with Toxoplasma gondii aspartic protease 3 increases survival time of infected mice. Acta Trop 2017; 171:17-23. [PMID: 28238685 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Revised: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Aspartic proteases in the Toxoplasma gondii, called TgASP1, 2, 3, and 5, play essential roles in the life cycle. In a previous study, we have demonstrated that TgASP1 is an antigen that prolongs survival time of infected mice. As an in-depth study, we have investigated the protective immunity of TgSAP3. A bioinformatic analysis was used to predict the linear B-cell epitopes and potential Th-cell epitopes on TgASP3, the results suggested that it has a large number of excellent epitopes. Mice were inoculated with a recombinant eukaryotic expression vector to evaluate the immune protection against an infection with the virulent RH strain of T. gondii. The enhanced immune response and increased survival time (up to 18days) were observed for vaccinated mice, showing that the TgASP3 antigen can provides partial protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghui Zhao
- Clinical Laboratory Medicine Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province 250012, China.
| | - Xiaojie Song
- Department of Respiratory, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong Province 255036, China.
| | - Xiangnan Kong
- Clinical Laboratory Medicine Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province 250012, China.
| | - Ning Zhang
- Clinical Laboratory Medicine Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province 250012, China.
| | - Shaoling Qu
- Clinical Laboratory Medicine Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province 250012, China.
| | - Wei Zhu
- Clinical Laboratory Medicine Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province 250012, China.
| | - Yanyan Yang
- Clinical Laboratory Medicine Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province 250012, China.
| | - Qian Wang
- Clinical Laboratory Medicine Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province 250012, China.
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16
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Wang L, Lu G, Zhou A, Han Y, Guo J, Zhou H, Cong H, He S. Evaluation of immune responses induced by rhoptry protein 5 and rhoptry protein 7 DNA vaccines against Toxoplasma gondii. Parasite Immunol 2016; 38:209-17. [PMID: 26802673 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Infection with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is widespread, and the organism can cause congenital infections in humans. The horizontal transmission of Toxoplasma is even more common than congenital. An effective vaccine strategy brings the prospect of improving Toxoplasma disease control. Rhoptry protein 5 (ROP5) and ROP7 are potential stimulators of humoral and cellular immune responses. In this study, we constructed a multi-antigenic DNA vaccine expressing ROP5 and ROP7 of T. gondii and compared the protective efficacy to single-gene vaccines and control groups. BALB/c mice were immunized intramuscularly three times. The levels of IgG antibodies and cytokines in mice immunized with the multi-antigenic DNA vaccine (pROP5/ROP7) were significantly higher than those in the control mice. Mice vaccinated with pROP5/ROP7 showed a longer survival time (16 days) than single-gene-immunized mice (11 and 12 days, respectively) or control mice (8 days) after a challenge with 1 × 10(4) tachyzoites of RH strain of T. gondii. Furthermore, after intragastric infection with 20 cysts of PRU strain of T. gondii, the number of brain cysts in mice immunized with pROP5/ROP7 was only 25% of the number in control mice. Our results showed that a DNA vaccine encoding ROP5 and ROP7 significantly enhanced protection against T. gondii challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Wang
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Department of Ji Nan Children's Hospital, 250022, Jinan, Shandong Province, Peoples Republic of China
| | - G Lu
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - A Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Y Han
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - J Guo
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - H Zhou
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - H Cong
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - S He
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
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Sánchez VR, Fenoy IM, Picchio MS, Soto AS, Arcon N, Goldman A, Martin V. Homologous prime-boost strategy with TgPI-1 improves the immune response and protects highly susceptible mice against chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection. Acta Trop 2015. [PMID: 26200784 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2015.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Subunit-based vaccines are safer than live or attenuated pathogen vaccines, although they are generally weak immunogens. Thus, proper combination of immunization strategies and adjuvants are needed to increase their efficacy. We have previously protected C3H/HeN mice from Toxoplasma gondii infection by immunization with the serine protease inhibitor-1 (TgPI-1) in combination with alum. In this work, we explore an original vaccination protocol that combines administration of recombinant TgPI-1 by intradermal and intranasal routes in order to enhance protection in the highly susceptible C57BL/6 strain. Mice primed intradermally with rTgPI-1 plus alum and boosted intranasally with rTgPI-1 plus CpG-ODN elicited a strong specific Th1/Th2 humoral response, along with a mucosal immune response characterized by specific-IgA in intestinal lavages. A positive cellular response of mesentheric lymph node cells and Th1/Th2 cytokine secretion in the ileon were also detected. When immunized mice were challenged with the cystogenic Me49 T. gondii strain, they displayed up to 62% reduction in brain parasite burden. Moreover, adoptive transfer of mesenteric lymph node cells from vaccinated to naïve mice induced significant protection against infection. These results demonstrate that this strategy that combines the administration of TgPI-1 by two different routes, intradermal priming and intranasal boost, improves protective immunity against T. gondii chronic infection in highly susceptible mice.
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18
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Lu G, Wang L, Zhou A, Han Y, Guo J, Song P, Zhou H, Cong H, Zhao Q, He S. Epitope analysis, expression and protection of SAG5A vaccine against Toxoplasma gondii. Acta Trop 2015; 146:66-72. [PMID: 25792417 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2015.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Revised: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Bioinformatics approaches were used to identify B-cell epitopes and T-cell epitopes on SAG5A protein. Compared to SAG1, SAG5A with good B-cell epitopes and T-cell epitopes had a potentiality to become a more successful vaccine against Toxoplasma gondii. Thereafter, SAG5A DNA vaccine was constructed successfully and was injected into mice with peptide to evaluate the immunoprotection. Compared to the control groups, the vaccine (DNA/peptide) could induce more effective cellular and humoral immune responses in immunized mice. Furthermore, a significant reduction of brain cyst was detected in the mice vaccinated with peptide (732±160), pSAG5A (815±197), or pSAG5A/peptide (436±174) compared by the mice injected by PBS (1260±241) or pEGFP-C1 (1350±268). The number of cysts in brains was 35% reduced in the mice immunized with DNA/peptide than in the control mice treated by PBS. The results indicated that the DNA vaccine encoding SAG5A significantly induced immune responses and enhanced protection against cysts of PRU strain, especially with the help of peptide.
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19
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Lu G, Zhou A, Meng M, Wang L, Han Y, Guo J, Zhou H, Cong H, Zhao Q, Zhu XQ, He S. Alpha-galactosylceramide enhances protective immunity induced by DNA vaccine of the SAG5D gene of Toxoplasma gondii. BMC Infect Dis 2014; 14:3862. [PMID: 25527277 PMCID: PMC4312432 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-014-0706-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasmosis caused by the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a global epidemic parasitic disease. DNA vaccines play an important role in preventing the spread of toxoplasmosis. SAG family genes encoding particular surface proteins of T. gondii are the best candidates of DNA vaccine. As a member of SAG family genes, SAG5 gene has been proved to have better antigenic than SAG1. In addition, alpha-Galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) was used to be an adjuvant in malaria vaccine and received positive results. In this study, the effect of the DNA vaccine enhanced by α-GalCer was evaluated by immunizing BALB/c mice. METHODS In the present study, SAG5D gene of T. gondii was cloned, sequenced, and biologically characterized. BALB/c mice were randomly divided into five groups, including three experimental groups (pEGFP-C1-SAG5D, α-GalCer and α-GalCer/pEGFP-C1-SAG5D) and two control groups (PBS and pEGFP-C1), and were immunized intramuscularly three times. The levels of IgG antibodies and cytokine productions in mouse sera were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Two weeks after the last immunization, all mice were challenged intraperitoneally with 1 × 10(4) tachyzoites of T. gondii and the survival time of mice was recorded. RESULTS A significant level of increase of IgG response against the soluble tachyzoite antigens (STAg) was detected by ELISA in experimental group. It revealed relatively high level of IFN-γ production by the spleen cells. There were higher productions of interleukin-4 (IL-4) in α-GalCer treated groups compared to control groups. Challenge experiment showed a longer survival period (11 days compared with 5 days in control) in SAG5D DNA vaccinated mice was found after a lethal challenge with T. gondii RH strain. CONCLUSIONS The present study suggested that T. gondii SAG5D was a novel and positive DNA vaccine candidate against toxoplasmosis. In addition, the adjuvant (α-GalCer) enhanced the body's cellular immune response and prolonged the survival time of mice after challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Lu
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, Peoples Republic of China.
| | - Aihua Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250021, Peoples Republic of China.
| | - Min Meng
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, Peoples Republic of China.
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, Peoples Republic of China.
| | - Yali Han
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, Peoples Republic of China.
| | - Jingjing Guo
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, Peoples Republic of China.
| | - Huaiyu Zhou
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, Peoples Republic of China.
| | - Hua Cong
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, Peoples Republic of China.
| | - Qunli Zhao
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, Peoples Republic of China.
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, 730046, Peoples Republic of China.
| | - Shenyi He
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, Peoples Republic of China.
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20
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Chuang SC, Yang CDA. Sustained release of recombinant surface antigen 2 (rSAG2) from poly(lactide-co-glycolide) microparticles extends protective cell-mediated immunity against Toxoplasma gondii in mice. Parasitology 2014; 141:1-10. [PMID: 25036078 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182014000997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARY Current development efforts of subunit vaccines against Toxoplasma gondii, the aetiological agent of toxoplasmosis, have been focused mainly on tachyzoite surface antigens (SAGs) such as SAG2, due to their attachment roles in the process of host-cell invasion. In the present study, we aimed to produce poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) microparticles (MPs) containing recombinant SAG2 (rSAG2) to induce improved immunity against T. gondii. The resulting PLG-encapsulated rSAG2 (PLG-rSAG2) MPs, 2·14-3·63 μm in diameter, showed 74-80% entrapment efficiency and gradually released antigenic rSAG2 protein (88·3% of the total protein load) for a long 33-day period. Peritoneal immunization with PLG-rSAG2 MPs in BALB/c mice resulted in not only sustained (10 weeks) lymphocyte proliferation and IFN-γ production but also an improved protective capacity (87%) against a lethal subcutaneous challenge of 1×104 live tachyzoites of T. gondii (RH strain). In conclusion, the sustained release of rSAG2 protein from PLG-rSAG2 MPs extends Th1 cell-mediated immunity (lymphocyte proliferation and IFN-γ production) and induces improved protection against T. gondii tachyzoite infection in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Chun Chuang
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine,Kaohsiung Medical University,No. 100, Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung 807,Taiwan
| | - Chung-DA Yang
- Graduate Institute of Animal Vaccine Technology,National Pingtung University of Science and Technology,No. 1, Shuefu Road, Neipu, Pingtung 912,Taiwan
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21
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Barbosa RPA, Salgado APC, Garcia CC, Filho BG, Gonçalves APDF, Lima BHF, Lopes GAO, Rachid MA, Peixoto ACC, de Oliveira DB, Ataíde MA, Zirke CA, Cotrim TM, Costa ÉA, Almeida GMDF, Russo RC, Gazzinelli RT, Machado ADMV. Protective immunity and safety of a genetically modified influenza virus vaccine. PLoS One 2014; 9:e98685. [PMID: 24927156 PMCID: PMC4057169 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0098685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2013] [Accepted: 05/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant influenza viruses are promising viral platforms to be used as antigen delivery vectors. To this aim, one of the most promising approaches consists of generating recombinant viruses harboring partially truncated neuraminidase (NA) segments. To date, all studies have pointed to safety and usefulness of this viral platform. However, some aspects of the inflammatory and immune responses triggered by those recombinant viruses and their safety to immunocompromised hosts remained to be elucidated. In the present study, we generated a recombinant influenza virus harboring a truncated NA segment (vNA-Δ) and evaluated the innate and inflammatory responses and the safety of this recombinant virus in wild type or knock-out (KO) mice with impaired innate (Myd88 -/-) or acquired (RAG -/-) immune responses. Infection using truncated neuraminidase influenza virus was harmless regarding lung and systemic inflammatory response in wild type mice and was highly attenuated in KO mice. We also demonstrated that vNA-Δ infection does not induce unbalanced cytokine production that strongly contributes to lung damage in infected mice. In addition, the recombinant influenza virus was able to trigger both local and systemic virus-specific humoral and CD8+ T cellular immune responses which protected immunized mice against the challenge with a lethal dose of homologous A/PR8/34 influenza virus. Taken together, our findings suggest and reinforce the safety of using NA deleted influenza viruses as antigen delivery vectors against human or veterinary pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Polidoro Alves Barbosa
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Ana Paula Carneiro Salgado
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Cristiana Couto Garcia
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Mecânica Pulmonar, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Bruno Galvão Filho
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | | | - Braulio Henrique Freire Lima
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Mecânica Pulmonar, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Gabriel Augusto Oliveira Lopes
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Mecânica Pulmonar, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Milene Alvarenga Rachid
- Departamento de Patologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Andiara Cristina Cardoso Peixoto
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Mecânica Pulmonar, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Danilo Bretas de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Vírus, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Marco Antônio Ataíde
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Carla Aparecida Zirke
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Tatiane Marques Cotrim
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Érica Azevedo Costa
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Gabriel Magno de Freitas Almeida
- Laboratório de Vírus, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Remo Castro Russo
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Mecânica Pulmonar, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Ricardo Tostes Gazzinelli
- Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Gülçe İz S, Döşkaya M, Caner A, Döşkaya AD, Rodriguez F, Gürüz Y, Gürhan SİD. A novel dual promoter DNA vaccine induces CD8+ response against Toxoplasma gondii sporozoite specific surface protein “SporoSAG” through non-apoptotic cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trivac.2014.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Meng M, Zhou A, Lu G, Wang L, Zhao G, Han Y, Zhou H, Cong H, Zhao Q, Zhu XQ, He S. DNA prime and peptide boost immunization protocol encoding the Toxoplasma gondii GRA4 induces strong protective immunity in BALB/c mice. BMC Infect Dis 2013; 13:494. [PMID: 24148219 PMCID: PMC3871000 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-13-494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread intracellular parasite, which infects most vertebrate animal hosts and causes zoonotic infection in humans. Vaccine strategy remains a promising method for the prevention and control of toxoplasmosis. T. gondii GRA4 protein has been identified as a potential candidate for vaccine development. In our study, we evaluated the immune response induced by four different immunization vaccination strategies encoding TgGRA4. Methods BALB/c mice were intramuscularly (i.m.) immunized four times according to specific immunization schedules. Generally, mice in experimental groups were immunized with polypeptide, pGRA4, peptide/DNA, or DNA/peptide, and mice in the control groups were injected with PBS or pEGFP. After immunization, the levels of IgG antibodies and cytokine productions were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The survival time of mice was also evaluated after challenge infection with the highly virulent T. gondii RH strain. Results The results showed that mice vaccinated with different immunization regimens (polypeptide, pGRA4, peptide/DNA, or DNA/peptide) elicited specific humoral and cellular responses, with high levels of total IgG, IgG2a isotype and gamma interferon (IFN-γ), which suggested a specific Th1 immunity was activated. After lethal challenge, an increased survival time was observed in immunized mice (11.8 ± 4.8 days) compared to the control groups injected with PBS or pEGFP (P < 0.05). Mice injected with PBS or pEGFP died within 8 days, and there was no significant difference in the protection level in two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions These results demonstrated that this DNA prime and peptide boost immunization protocol encoding the TgGRA4 can elicit the highest level of humoral and cellular immune responses compared to other immunized groups, which is a promising approach to increase the efficacy of DNA immunization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aihua Zhou
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, Peoples Republic of China.
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Zhang NZ, Chen J, Wang M, Petersen E, Zhu XQ. Vaccines against Toxoplasma gondii: new developments and perspectives. Expert Rev Vaccines 2013; 12:1287-99. [PMID: 24093877 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2013.844652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is a major public health problem, infecting one-third of the world human beings, and leads to abortion in domestic animals. A vaccine strategy would be an ideal tool for improving disease control. Many efforts have been made to develop vaccines against T. gondii to reduce oocyst shedding in cats and tissue cyst formation in mammals over the last 20 years, but only a live-attenuated vaccine based on the S48 strain has been licensed for veterinary use. Here, the authors review the recent development of T. gondii vaccines in cats, food-producing animals and mice, and present its future perspectives. However, a single or only a few antigen candidates revealed by various experimental studies are limited by only eliciting partial protective immunity against T. gondii. Future studies of T. gondii vaccines should include as many CTL epitopes as the live attenuated vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nian-Zhang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China
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Zheng B, Lu S, Tong Q, Kong Q, Lou D. The virulence-related rhoptry protein 5 (ROP5) of Toxoplasma Gondii is a novel vaccine candidate against toxoplasmosis in mice. Vaccine 2013; 31:4578-84. [PMID: 23928460 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.07.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2012] [Revised: 06/29/2013] [Accepted: 07/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Infections with the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii pose a serious public health problem and are of great economic importance worldwide. The parasite rhoptry protein 5 (ROP5) has been implicated as a major virulence factor that reduces the accumulation of immunity-related GTPases (IRG) in parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM), which maintains PVM integrity and evades IFNγ-mediated killing by intracellular parasites. To study the immunoprotective value of ROP5, BALB/c mice were immunized with a recombinant form of the protein administered alone or in combination with another promising vaccine antigen, rSAG1. All mice vaccinated with the recombinant antigens developed a high level of specific antibody responses against soluble tachyzoite antigens (STAg), a statistically significant increase of the splenocyte proliferation response, and significant levels of IFN-γ and IL-2 production. In contrast to rSAG1, which only stimulated the release of IFN-γ and IL-2, rROP5 induced the specific production of IL-10, the Th2-type cytokine, in addition to IFN-γ and IL-2. These results demonstrated that rROP5 could induce significant cellular and humoral (Th1/Th2) immune responses. Moreover, mice immunized with rROP5 displayed a prolonged survival time against a lethal challenge with the T. gondii RH strain. Additionally, vaccination with the mixture of rROP5+rSAG1 resulted in higher levels of T. gondii-specific IgG antibodies and lymphocyte proliferative responses and conferred more efficient protection against T. gondii challenge compared to immunization with rROP5 or rSAG1 alone. Our studies show that recombinant ROP5 antigen may be a promising vaccine candidate against toxoplasmosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report to evaluate the immunoprotective value of ROP5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zheng
- Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, PR China
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Evaluation of the adjuvant effect of pidotimod on the immune protection induced by UV-attenuated Toxoplasma gondii in mouse models. Parasitol Res 2013; 112:3151-60. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-013-3491-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2013] [Accepted: 06/03/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Macêdo AG, Cunha JP, Cardoso THS, Silva MV, Santiago FM, Silva JS, Pirovani CP, Silva DAO, Mineo JR, Mineo TWP. SAG2A protein from Toxoplasma gondii interacts with both innate and adaptive immune compartments of infected hosts. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:163. [PMID: 23735002 PMCID: PMC3706231 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2013] [Accepted: 05/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite that causes relevant clinical disease in humans and animals. Several studies have been performed in order to understand the interactions between proteins of the parasite and host cells. SAG2A is a 22 kDa protein that is mainly found in the surface of tachyzoites. In the present work, our aim was to correlate the predicted three-dimensional structure of this protein with the immune system of infected hosts. Methods To accomplish our goals, we performed in silico analysis of the amino acid sequence of SAG2A, correlating the predictions with in vitro stimulation of antigen presenting cells and serological assays. Results Structure modeling predicts that SAG2A protein possesses an unfolded C-terminal end, which varies its conformation within distinct strain types of T. gondii. This structure within the protein shelters a known B-cell immunodominant epitope, which presents low identity with its closest phyllogenetically related protein, an orthologue predicted in Neospora caninum. In agreement with the in silico observations, sera of known T. gondii infected mice and goats recognized recombinant SAG2A, whereas no serological cross-reactivity was observed with samples from N. caninum animals. Additionally, the C-terminal end of the protein was able to down-modulate pro-inflammatory responses of activated macrophages and dendritic cells. Conclusions Altogether, we demonstrate herein that recombinant SAG2A protein from T. gondii is immunologically relevant in the host-parasite interface and may be targeted in therapeutic and diagnostic procedures designed against the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arlindo G Macêdo
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia "Dr, Mário Endsfeldz Camargo", Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av, Pará 1720-Bloco 4C, Campus Umuarama, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais 38.400-902, Brazil
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Vaccination using recombinants influenza and adenoviruses encoding amastigote surface protein-2 are highly effective on protection against Trypanosoma cruzi infection. PLoS One 2013; 8:e61795. [PMID: 23637908 PMCID: PMC3634828 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2012] [Accepted: 03/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study we evaluated the protection raised by immunization with recombinant influenza viruses carrying sequences coding for polypeptides corresponding to medial and carboxi-terminal moieties of Trypanosoma cruzi ´s amastigote surface protein 2 (ASP2). Those viruses were used in sequential immunization with recombinant adenovirus (heterologous prime-boost immunization protocol) encoding the complete sequence of ASP2 (Ad-ASP2) in two mouse strains (C57BL/6 and C3H/He). The CD8 effector response elicited by this protocol was comparable to that observed in mice immunized twice with Ad-ASP2 and more robust than that observed in mice that were immunized once with Ad-ASP2. Whereas a single immunization with Ad-ASP2 sufficed to completely protect C57BL/6 mice, a higher survival rate was observed in C3H/He mice that were primed with recombinant influenza virus and boosted with Ad-ASP2 after being challenged with T. cruzi. Analyzing the phenotype of CD8+ T cells obtained from spleen of vaccinated C3H/He mice we observed that heterologous prime-boost immunization protocol elicited more CD8+ T cells specific for the immunodominant epitope as well as a higher number of CD8+ T cells producing TNF-α and IFN-γ and a higher mobilization of surface marker CD107a. Taken together, our results suggest that immunodominant subpopulations of CD8+ T elicited after immunization could be directly related to degree of protection achieved by different immunization protocols using different viral vectors. Overall, these results demonstrated the usefulness of recombinant influenza viruses in immunization protocols against Chagas Disease.
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Analysis of structures and epitopes of surface antigen glycoproteins expressed in bradyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 2013:165342. [PMID: 23586017 PMCID: PMC3618923 DOI: 10.1155/2013/165342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2012] [Accepted: 02/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite capable of infecting humans and animals. Surface antigen glycoproteins, SAG2C, -2D, -2X, and -2Y, are expressed on the surface of bradyzoites. These antigens have been shown to protect bradyzoites against immune responses during chronic infections. We studied structures of SAG2C, -2D, -2X, and -2Y proteins using bioinformatics methods. The protein sequence alignment was performed by T-Coffee method. Secondary structural and functional domains were predicted using software PSIPRED v3.0 and SMART software, and 3D models of proteins were constructed and compared using the I-TASSER server, VMD, and SWISS-spdbv. Our results showed that SAG2C, -2D, -2X, and -2Y are highly homologous proteins. They share the same conserved peptides and HLA-I restricted epitopes. The similarity in structure and domains indicated putative common functions that might stimulate similar immune response in hosts. The conserved peptides and HLA-restricted epitopes could provide important insights on vaccine study and the diagnosis of this disease.
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Hotez PJ, Bethony JM. Parasitic disease vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-1-4557-0090-5.00059-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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Kumar P, Khanna M, Kumar B, Rajput R, Banerjea AC. A conserved matrix epitope based DNA vaccine protects mice against influenza A virus challenge. Antiviral Res 2011; 93:78-85. [PMID: 22086129 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2011.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2011] [Revised: 10/21/2011] [Accepted: 10/28/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
DNA vaccination represents a unique strategy to overcome the limitations of immunization with conventional vaccines which is restricted by the high variability of influenza viruses. We evaluated the protective efficacy of a plasmid DNA (pDNA), encoding an evolutionarily conserved epitope of viral matrix protein, against the influenza A virus infection. It was found that the mice immunized via the intra-muscular route purely elicited cell mediated immune response to the pDNA, with enhanced level of Th1 cytokines viz. IL-12 and IFNγ production in the stimulated splenocyte supernatant. The cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the spleen of immunized mice significantly lysed the virus-infected MDCK cells. A significant decrease in virus replication was also observed in the lungs of immunized mice and 83% of the mice were protected against the lethal challenge of influenza A viruses. These findings suggest that the plasmid DNA expressing a single matrix epitope may serve as a promising vaccine candidate to provide effective immunity in the susceptible (mouse) population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashant Kumar
- Department of Respiratory Virology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India
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Qu DF, Yu HJ, Liu Z, Zhang DF, Zhou QJ, Zhang HL, Du AF. Ginsenoside Rg1 enhances immune response induced by recombinant Toxoplasma gondii SAG1 antigen. Vet Parasitol 2011; 179:28-34. [PMID: 21439733 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2010] [Revised: 02/10/2011] [Accepted: 02/14/2011] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Ginsenoside, the most important component isolated from Panax ginseng, exhibits a variety of biological activities. Particularly, ginsenoside Rg1 is known to have immune-modulating activities such as increase of immune activity of T helper (Th) cells. In the present study, we evaluated the immunomodulatory potentials of the Rg1 at three dose levels on the cellular and humoral immune responses of ICR mice against T. gondii recombinant surface antigen 1 (rSAG1). ICR mice were immunized subcutaneously with 50 μg Rg1 alone, 100 μg rSAG1 alone or with 100 μg rSAG1 dissolved in saline containing ginsenoside Rg1 (10 μg, 50 μg or 100 μg). After immunization, we evaluated the immune response using lymphoproliferative assay, cytokine and antibody measurements, and the survival times of mice challenged lethally. The results showed that the groups immunized with rSAG1 and Rg1 (50 μg, 100 μg) developed a high level of specific antibody responses against T. gondii rSAG1, a strong lymphoproliferative response, and significant levels of cytokine production, compared with the other groups. After lethal challenge, the mice immunized with the rSAG1 and Rg1 (50 μg, 100 μg) showed a significantly increased survival time compared with control mice which died within 6 days of challenge. Our data demonstrate that by addition of ginsenoside Rg1, the rSAG1 triggered a stronger humoral and cellular response against T. gondii, and that Rg1 is a promising vaccine adjuvant against toxoplasmosis, worth further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dao-Feng Qu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemic Etiology and Immunological Prevention of Ministry of Agriculture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
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Cong H, Mui EJ, Witola WH, Sidney J, Alexander J, Sette A, Maewal A, McLeod R. Towards an immunosense vaccine to prevent toxoplasmosis: protective Toxoplasma gondii epitopes restricted by HLA-A*0201. Vaccine 2010; 29:754-62. [PMID: 21095258 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2010] [Revised: 10/29/2010] [Accepted: 11/06/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The ideal vaccine to protect against toxoplasmosis in humans would include antigens that elicit a protective T helper cell type 1 immune response, and generate long-lived IFN-γ-producing CD8(+) T cells. Herein, we utilized a predictive algorithm to identify candidate HLA-A02 supertype epitopes from Toxoplasma gondii proteins. Thirteen peptides elicited production of IFN-γ from PBMC of HLA-A02 supertype persons seropositive for T. gondii infection but not from seronegative controls. These peptides displayed high-affinity binding to HLA-A02 proteins. Immunization of HLA-A*0201 transgenic mice with these pooled peptides, with a universal CD4(+) epitope peptide called PADRE, formulated with adjuvant GLA-SE, induced CD8(+) T cell IFN-γ production and protected against parasite challenge. Peptides identified in this study provide candidates for inclusion in immunosense epitope-based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Cong
- Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave., MC 2114, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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