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Mendoza-Morales LF, Fiorani F, Morán KD, Hecker YP, Cirone KM, Sánchez-López EF, Ramos-Duarte VA, Corigliano MG, Bilbao MG, Clemente M, Moore DP, Sander VA. Immunogenicity, safety and dual DIVA-like character of a recombinant candidate vaccine against neosporosis in cattle. Acta Trop 2024; 257:107293. [PMID: 38901525 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Neosporosis is the major infectious cause of abortion and reproductive losses in cattle worldwide; however, there are no available vaccines or drugs to control this disease. Recently, a dual (positive and negative) DIVA-like (Differentiation of Infected from Vaccinated Animals) vaccine was evaluated in a pregnant mouse model of neosporosis, showing promising immunogenic and protective results. The current report aimed to study the safety, the dose-dependent immunogenicity and the dual DIVA-like character of a recombinant subunit vaccine composed of the major surface antigen from Neospora caninum (rNcSAG1) and the carrier/adjuvant Heat shock protein 81.2 from Arabidopsis thaliana (rAtHsp81.2) in cattle. Healthy heifers were separated and assigned to experimental groups A-F and subcutaneously immunized with 2 doses of vaccine formulations 30 days apart as follows: A (n = 4): 50 μg rNcSAG1 + 150 μg rAtHsp81.2; B (n = 4): 200 μg rNcSAG1 + 600 μg rAtHsp81.2; C (n = 4): 500 μg rNcSAG1 + 1,500 μg rAtHsp81.2; D (n = 3): 150 μg rAtHsp81.2; E (n = 3):1,500 μg rAtHsp81.2, and F (n = 3) 2 ml of sterile PBS. The immunization of heifers with the different vaccine or adjuvant doses (groups A-E) was demonstrated to be safe and did not modify the mean value of the evaluated serum biomarkers of metabolic function (GOT/ASP, GPT/ALT, UREA, Glucose and total proteins). The kinetics and magnitude of the immune responses were dose-dependent. The higher dose of the vaccine formulation (group C) stimulated a broad and potent humoral and cellular immune response, characterized by an IgG1/IgG2 isotype profile and IFN-γ secretion. In addition, this was the first time that dual DIVA-like character of a vaccine against neosporosis was demonstrated, allowing us to differentiate vaccinated from infected heifers by two different DIVA compliant test approaches. These results encourage us to evaluate its protective efficacy in infected pregnant cattle in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Fernanda Mendoza-Morales
- Laboratorio de Biotecnologías en Bovinos y Ovinos, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Intendente Marino Km 8,2; CC 164 (B7130IWA), Chascomús, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), Chascomús, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Franco Fiorani
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce (CONICET-INTA), Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Karen Daiana Morán
- Laboratorio de Reproducción, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), General Pico, La Pampa, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Pampa, General Pico, La Pampa, Argentina
| | - Yanina Paola Hecker
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce (CONICET-INTA), Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Karina Mariela Cirone
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce (CONICET-INTA), Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Edwin Fernando Sánchez-López
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), Chascomús, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Laboratorio de Molecular Farming y Vacunas, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Victor Andrés Ramos-Duarte
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), Chascomús, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Laboratorio de Molecular Farming y Vacunas, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Mariana Georgina Corigliano
- Laboratorio de Biotecnologías en Bovinos y Ovinos, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Intendente Marino Km 8,2; CC 164 (B7130IWA), Chascomús, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), Chascomús, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Guillermina Bilbao
- Laboratorio de Reproducción, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), General Pico, La Pampa, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Pampa, General Pico, La Pampa, Argentina
| | - Marina Clemente
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), Chascomús, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Laboratorio de Molecular Farming y Vacunas, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Dadín Prando Moore
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce (CONICET-INTA), Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Valeria Analía Sander
- Laboratorio de Biotecnologías en Bovinos y Ovinos, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Intendente Marino Km 8,2; CC 164 (B7130IWA), Chascomús, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), Chascomús, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Imhof D, Hänggeli KPA, De Sousa MCF, Vigneswaran A, Hofmann L, Amdouni Y, Boubaker G, Müller J, Hemphill A. Working towards the development of vaccines and chemotherapeutics against neosporosis-With all of its ups and downs-Looking ahead. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2024; 124:91-154. [PMID: 38754928 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2024.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan and obligatory intracellular parasite, which is the leading cause of reproductive failure in cattle and affects other farm and domestic animals, but also induces neuromuscular disease in dogs of all ages. In cattle, neosporosis is an important health problem, and has a considerable economic impact. To date there is no protective vaccine or chemotherapeutic treatment on the market. Immuno-prophylaxis has long been considered as the best control measure. Proteins involved in host cell interaction and invasion, as well as antigens mediating inflammatory responses have been the most frequently assessed vaccine targets. However, despite considerable efforts no effective vaccine has been introduced to the market to date. The development of effective compounds to limit the effects of vertical transmission of N. caninum tachyzoites has emerged as an alternative or addition to vaccination, provided suitable targets and safe and efficacious drugs can be identified. Additionally, the combination of both treatment strategies might be interesting to further increase protectivity against N. caninum infections and to decrease the duration of treatment and the risk of potential drug resistance. Well-established and standardized animal infection models are key factors for the evaluation of promising vaccine and compound candidates. The vast majority of experimental animal experiments concerning neosporosis have been performed in mice, although in recent years the numbers of experimental studies in cattle and sheep have increased. In this review, we discuss the recent findings concerning the progress in drug and vaccine development against N. caninum infections in mice and ruminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Imhof
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Kai Pascal Alexander Hänggeli
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Maria Cristina Ferreira De Sousa
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anitha Vigneswaran
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Larissa Hofmann
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Yosra Amdouni
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ghalia Boubaker
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Joachim Müller
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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Campero LM, Basso W, Moré G, Fiorani F, Hecker YP, Echaide I, Cantón GJ, Cirone KM, Campero CM, Venturini MC, Moore DP. Neosporosis in Argentina: Past, present and future perspectives. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2023; 41:100882. [PMID: 37208088 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Neosporosis, caused by the protozoan Neospora caninum, was first diagnosed in Argentinean cattle in the 90's. With a national bovine stock of approximately 53 million head, the cattle industry is socially and economically relevant. Severe economic losses have been estimated at US$ 33 and 12 million annually in dairy and beef cattle, respectively. Approximately 9% of bovine abortions in the Buenos Aires province are caused by N. caninum. In 2001, the first isolation of N. caninum oocysts from feces of a naturally infected dog was performed in Argentina and named as NC-6 Argentina. Further strains were isolated from cattle (NC-Argentina LP1, NC-Argentina LP2) and axis deer (Axis axis, NC-Axis). Epidemiological studies revealed a high distribution of Neospora-infections not only in dairy but also in beef cattle, with seroprevalence rates of 16.6-88.8% and 0-73%, respectively. Several experimental infection studies in cattle have been carried out, as well as attempts to develop effective vaccines to avoid Neospora-abortions and transmission. However, no vaccine has proven successful for its use in daily practice. Reduction of seroprevalence, vertical transmission and Neospora-related abortions have been achieved in dairy farms by the use of selective breeding strategies and embryo transfer. Neospora-infections have been also detected in goats, sheep, deer, water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) and gray foxes (Lycalopex griseus). Moreover, Neospora-related reproductive losses were reported in small ruminants and deer species and could be more frequent than previously thought. Even though diagnostic methods have been improved during the last decades, control of neosporosis is still not optimal. The development of new strategies including new antiprotozoal drugs and vaccines is highly needed. This paper reviews the information from the previous 28 years of research of N. caninum in Argentina, including seroprevalence and epidemiological studies, available diagnostic techniques, experimental reproduction, immunization strategies, isolations and control measures in domestic and non-domestic animals from Argentina.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M Campero
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Godoy Cruz, 2290, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; Institute of Innovation for Agricultural Production and Sustainable Development (IPADS Balcarce), Ruta 226, km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina
| | - W Basso
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - G Moré
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Godoy Cruz, 2290, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - F Fiorani
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Godoy Cruz, 2290, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; Institute of Innovation for Agricultural Production and Sustainable Development (IPADS Balcarce), Ruta 226, km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina; Faculty of Agrarian Sciences, National University of Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Ruta 226, km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Y P Hecker
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Godoy Cruz, 2290, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; Institute of Innovation for Agricultural Production and Sustainable Development (IPADS Balcarce), Ruta 226, km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina; SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - I Echaide
- National Institute of Agricultural Technology, INTA E.E.A, Rafaela, Argentina
| | - G J Cantón
- National Institute of Agricultural Technology, INTA E.E.A Balcarce, Ruta 226, km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina
| | - K M Cirone
- Faculty of Agrarian Sciences, National University of Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Ruta 226, km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina; National Institute of Agricultural Technology, INTA E.E.A Balcarce, Ruta 226, km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina
| | - C M Campero
- National Institute of Agricultural Technology, INTA E.E.A Balcarce, Ruta 226, km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina
| | - M C Venturini
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory, Veterinary Sciences Faculty, National University of La Plata, 60 and 118 s/n, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
| | - D P Moore
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Godoy Cruz, 2290, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; Institute of Innovation for Agricultural Production and Sustainable Development (IPADS Balcarce), Ruta 226, km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina; Faculty of Agrarian Sciences, National University of Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Ruta 226, km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina.
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Immunization with a Multivalent Listeria monocytogenes Vaccine Leads to a Strong Reduction in Vertical Transmission and Cerebral Parasite Burden in Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Mice Infected with Neospora caninum. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11010156. [PMID: 36680001 PMCID: PMC9863997 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11010156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan parasite that causes abortion and stillbirth in cattle. We employed the pregnant neosporosis mouse model to investigate the efficacy of a modified version of the attenuated Listeria monocytogenes vaccine vector Lm3Dx_NcSAG1, which expresses the major N. caninum surface antigen SAG1. Multivalent vaccines were generated by the insertion of gra7 and/or rop2 genes into Lm3Dx_NcSAG1, resulting in the double mutants, Lm3Dx_NcSAG1_NcGRA7 and Lm3Dx_NcSAG1_NcROP2, and the triple mutant, Lm3Dx_NcSAG1_NcGRA7_NcROP2. Six experimental groups of female BALB/c mice were inoculated intramuscularly three times at two-week intervals with 1 × 107 CFU of the respective vaccine strains. Seven days post-mating, mice were challenged by the subcutaneous injection of 1 × 105N. caninum NcSpain-7 tachyzoites. Non-pregnant mice, dams and their offspring were observed daily until day 25 post-partum. Immunization with Lm3Dx_NcSAG1 and Lm3Dx_NcSAG1_NcGRA7_NcROP2 resulted in 70% postnatal pup survival, whereas only 50% and 58% of pups survived in the double mutant-vaccinated groups. Almost all pups had died at the end of the experiment in the infection control. The triple mutant was the most promising vaccine candidate, providing the highest rate of protection against vertical transmission (65%) and CNS infection. Overall, integrating multiple antigens into Lm3Dx_SAG1 resulted in lower vertical transmission and enhanced protection against cerebral infection in dams and in non-pregnant mice.
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Novoa MB, Sarli M, Reidel IG, Veaute C, Valentini B, Primo ME. Neospora caninum truncated recombinant proteins formulated with liposomes and CpG-ODNs triggered a humoral immune response in cattle after immunisation and challenge. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2021; 238:110285. [PMID: 34146834 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2021.110285] [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: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Abortions caused by Neospora caninum are a serious problem in cattle production and require effective immunoprophylaxis. The objective of this work was to assess the humoral immune response to four recombinant (r) N. caninum antigens in cattle after immunisation and challenge. MIC1 and MIC3 proteins from the micronemes, SRS2 from the surface of tachyzoites, and GRA7 from the dense granules were expressed as truncated recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli. Cationic liposomes (Lip) and CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODNs) were used as adjuvant. Steers were assigned to three groups of six steers each and were inoculated twice subcutaneously, 21 days apart. The rP + Lip + CpG-ODN group received the truncated recombinant proteins rMIC1, rMIC3, rSRS2 and rGRA7 formulated with the adjuvant; the Lip + CpG-ODN group received the adjuvant alone; and the PBS group received sterile phosphate-buffered saline. All steers were subcutaneously challenged with the NC-1 strain of N. caninum 35 days after the second dose of immunisation. Steers from the rP + Lip + CpG-ODN group developed specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG2 against the four recombinant proteins after immunisation. After challenge, IgG against rMIC1 and rMIC3 was detected in rP + Lip + CpG-ODN group and against rSRS2 and rGRA7 in all groups. IgG1 and IgG2 against the four recombinant proteins remained high after challenge in the rP + Lip + CpG-ODN group. Indirect ELISA detected anti-N. caninum antibodies after challenge in all groups, with the highest level of antibodies being detected in the rP + Lip + CpG-ODN group. The recombinant vaccine formulated with rMIC1, rMIC3, rSRS2 and rGRA7 using Lip + CpG-ODN as adjuvant was immunogenic in cattle and the humoral immune response after challenge was enhanced in vaccinated cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Belén Novoa
- Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (INTA-CONICET), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, Route 34, km 227, 2300, Rafaela, Argentina.
| | - Macarena Sarli
- Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (INTA-CONICET), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, Route 34, km 227, 2300, Rafaela, Argentina
| | - Ivana Gabriela Reidel
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Experimental, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Ciudad Universitaria, S3000ZAA, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Carolina Veaute
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Experimental, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Ciudad Universitaria, S3000ZAA, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Beatriz Valentini
- Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (INTA-CONICET), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, Route 34, km 227, 2300, Rafaela, Argentina
| | - María Evangelina Primo
- Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (INTA-CONICET), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, Route 34, km 227, 2300, Rafaela, Argentina
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Bengoa-Luoni SA, Corigliano MG, Sánchez-López E, Albarracín RM, Legarralde A, Ganuza A, Clemente M, Sander VA. The potential of a DIVA-like recombinant vaccine composed by rNcSAG1 and rAtHsp81.2 against vertical transmission in a mouse model of congenital neosporosis. Acta Trop 2019; 198:105094. [PMID: 31323195 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is the etiological agent of neosporosis, a worldwide infectious disease recognized as the major cause of abortions and reproductive failures in livestock, responsible for significant economic losses in cattle industries. Currently, there are not cost-effective control options for this pathology, and the development of a vaccine involving new and integrated approaches is highly recommended. In this study, we evaluated the immunogenic and protective efficacy, as well as the potential DIVA (Differentiation of Infected from Vaccinated Animals) character of a recombinant subunit vaccine composed by the major surface antigen from N. caninum (NcSAG1) and the carrier/adjuvant heat shock protein 81.2 from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtHsp81.2) in a mouse model of congenital neosporosis. BALB/c female mice were intraperitoneal (i.p.) immunized with a mixture of equimolar quantities of rNcSAG1 and rAtHSP81.2 or each protein alone (rNcSAG1 or rAtHsp81.2). The vaccine containing a mixture of rNcSAG1 and rAtHsp81.2 significantly enhanced the production of specific anti-rNcSAG1 total IgG (tIgG), IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies in immunized mice when compared to control groups (non-vaccinated and rAtHsp81.2 immunized mice) as well as to the group of mice immunized only with the antigen (rNcSAG1). In addition, partial protection against vertical transmission and improvement of the offspring survival time was observed in this group. On the other hand, rAtHsp81.2 induced the production of specific anti-rAtHsp81.2 tIgG, allowing us to differentiate vaccinated from infected mice. Despite further experiments have to be made in cattle to test the capability of this vaccine formulation to differentiate vaccinated from infected animals in the field, our results suggest that the formulation composed by rNcSAG1 and rAtHsp81.2 could serve as a basis for the development of a new vaccine approach against bovine neosporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ariel Legarralde
- Unidad de Biotecnología 6-UB6, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Agustina Ganuza
- Unidad de Biotecnología 2-UB2, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas (CIC) de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Marina Clemente
- Unidad de Biotecnología 6-UB6, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina.
| | - Valeria A Sander
- Unidad de Biotecnología 6-UB6, INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina.
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Phenotypic characterization of immune cells in fetal tissues of cattle immunized and challenged with Neospora caninum. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2019; 217:109955. [PMID: 31639586 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2019.109955] [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: 07/06/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this work was to characterize the cellular phenotype in inflammatory infiltrates of fetal tissues from pregnant heifers immunized and experimentally challenged with Neospora caninum. Fetuses from 20 heifers separated into 5 groups were obtained. The experiment was designed as follow: Group A, heifers inoculated intravenously with live tachyzoites of Argentine strain NC-6 (n = 4); Group B heifers inoculated subcutaneously with soluble native antigen from the same strain formulated with immune stimulant complexes (ISCOMs) (n = 4); Group C heifers inoculated with recombinant proteins, rNcSAG1, rNcHSP20, rNcGRA7 formulated with ISCOMs (n = 4), Group D heifers inoculated subcutaneously with sterile phosphate buffered solution (n = 4) and Group E heifers inoculated subcutaneously with antigen-free ISCOMs (n = 4). Experimental challenge was performed at 70 days of gestation and all heifers were euthanized 34 days later. Fetal tissues were taken for histological studies. Inflammatory lesions were observed in brain and lung, and immunhistochemistry was used to identify CD3+, CD20+ and MHC II+ cells. The majority of the cells that infiltrate and circumscribe the lesions in the brain and lung tissue expressed MHC II antigen; varying between 70-90% of the total cellular infiltrate. CD3+ cells were also present within the lesions, contributing to up to 30% of the inflammatory cells. CD20+ cells appeared as a marginal group, in some cases, with a range between 10 and 25%. As expected, the immunolabeling of MHC II + and CD3 + cells in fetal tissues was associated with fetal infection with N. caninum. There were statistically significant differences in the distribution and population of the inflammatory infiltrate in relation to the immunogenic treatment and the type of tissue, with inflammatory cells being markedly less extensive fetuses from group A (dams previously exposed to N. caninum) and in brain tissue. This work showed that Neospora-infection induced MHC II+ and CD3+ cells in bovine fetuses from dams receiving experimental vaccines.
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Sander VA, Corigliano MG, Clemente M. Promising Plant-Derived Adjuvants in the Development of Coccidial Vaccines. Front Vet Sci 2019; 6:20. [PMID: 30809529 PMCID: PMC6379251 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Coccidial parasites cause medical and veterinary diseases worldwide, frequently leading to severe illness and important economic losses. At present, drugs, chemotherapeutics and prophylactic vaccines are still missing for most of the coccidial infections. Moreover, the development and administration of drugs and chemotherapeutics against these diseases would not be adequate in livestock, since they may generate unacceptable residues in milk and meat that would avoid their commercialization. In this scenario, prophylactic vaccines emerge as the most suitable approach. Subunit vaccines have proven to be biologically safe and economically viable, allowing researchers to choose among the best antigens against each pathogen. However, they are generally poorly immunogenic and require the addition of adjuvant compounds to the vaccine formulation. During the last decades, research involving plant immunomodulatory compounds has become an important field of study based on their potential pharmaceutical applications. Some plant molecules such as saponins, polysaccharides, lectins and heat shock proteins are being explored as candidates for adjuvant/carriers formulations. Moreover, plant-derived immune stimulatory compounds open the possibility to attain the main goal in adjuvant research: a safe and non-toxic adjuvant capable of strongly boosting and directing immune responses that could be incorporated into different vaccine formulations, including mucosal vaccines. Here, we review the immunomodulatory properties of several plant molecules and discuss their application and future perspective as adjuvants in the development of vaccines against coccidial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria A Sander
- Unidad de Biotecnología 6-UB6, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECh), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Universidad Nacional de General San Martín (UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Mariana G Corigliano
- Unidad de Biotecnología 6-UB6, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECh), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Universidad Nacional de General San Martín (UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Marina Clemente
- Unidad de Biotecnología 6-UB6, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECh), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Universidad Nacional de General San Martín (UNSAM), Chascomús, Argentina
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Marin MS, Hecker YP, Quintana S, Pérez SE, Leunda MR, Cantón GJ, Cobo ER, Moore DP, Odeón AC. Immunization with inactivated antigens of Neospora caninum induces toll-like receptors 3, 7, 8 and 9 in maternal-fetal interface of infected pregnant heifers. Vet Parasitol 2017; 243:12-17. [PMID: 28807280 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is an obligate parasite and a major cause of abortion in cattle. Pregnancy failures appear to be associated with weak innate defences on the maternal-fetal interface during infection with N. caninum. Herein, we studied the gene expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in pregnant heifers immunized with different vaccine formulations against N. caninum before mating and then challenged the heifers with live N. caninum on day 70 of gestation. TLR7 and TLR8 expression was upregulated in the placental caruncle of infected-pregnant heifers previously exposed to live N. caninum as immunogen. However, TLR7 and 8 expression in both placenta and caruncle as well as, TLR3 and 9 expression in caruncle were upregulated when heifers were previously immunized with inactivated soluble whole antigens and recombinant NcSAG1, NcHSP20 and NcGRA7 proteins. All dams were carrying viable fetuses when they were culled at day 104 of gestation. Upregulation of TLR7 and IFNγ expression was detected in fetal spleen when their mothers where previously vaccinated with soluble antigens and recombinant NcSAG1, NcHSP20 and NcGRA7 proteins. These studies demonstrate that soluble or recombinant NcSAG1, NcHSP20 and NcGRA7 antigens induce key TLRs expression at the maternal-fetal interface, probably triggering damaging inflammatory cellular immune responses associated with abortion. Previous infection with N. caninum seems to attenuate the innate immune response at the maternal-fetal interface, which could favour pregnancy maintenance and perpetuation of the disease. This finding represents novel information on how N. caninum vaccination and infection modulate TLRs expression at the placenta and fetal spleen, the possible role in the pregnancy outcomes and transplacental transmission of the protozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Marin
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Rivadavia 1917, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce, Ruta 226 Km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Y P Hecker
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Rivadavia 1917, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce, Ruta 226 Km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - S Quintana
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Rivadavia 1917, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, UNMDP, Funes 3350, 7600 Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - S E Pérez
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Rivadavia 1917, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN, CONICET-CICPBA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, UNCPBA, Paraje Arroyo Seco s/n, 7000 Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M R Leunda
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce, Ruta 226 Km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - G J Cantón
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce, Ruta 226 Km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - E R Cobo
- Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - D P Moore
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Rivadavia 1917, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce, Ruta 226 Km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - A C Odeón
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce, Ruta 226 Km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Horcajo P, Regidor-Cerrillo J, Aguado-Martínez A, Hemphill A, Ortega-Mora LM. Vaccines for bovine neosporosis: current status and key aspects for development. Parasite Immunol 2016; 38:709-723. [DOI: 10.1111/pim.12342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P. Horcajo
- SALUVET; Animal Health Department; Faculty of Veterinary Sciences; Complutense University of Madrid; Madrid Spain
| | - J. Regidor-Cerrillo
- SALUVET; Animal Health Department; Faculty of Veterinary Sciences; Complutense University of Madrid; Madrid Spain
| | - A. Aguado-Martínez
- Institute of Parasitology; Vetsuisse Faculty; University of Bern; Bern Switzerland
| | - A. Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology; Vetsuisse Faculty; University of Bern; Bern Switzerland
| | - L. M. Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET; Animal Health Department; Faculty of Veterinary Sciences; Complutense University of Madrid; Madrid Spain
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Silva RC, Machado GP. Canine neosporosis: perspectives on pathogenesis and management. VETERINARY MEDICINE-RESEARCH AND REPORTS 2016; 7:59-70. [PMID: 30050838 PMCID: PMC6055790 DOI: 10.2147/vmrr.s76969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Canine neosporosis is a worldwide disease caused by the obligate intracellular parasite protozoan Neospora caninum, manifesting mainly neurological symptoms. N. caninum has a heteroxenous life cycle and affects a wide range of warm-blooded animals. The domestic and wild canids are the definitive host of the parasite. They shed oocysts after ingestion of tissue cysts from infected intermediate hosts (ovine, equine, bovine, canine, and many other species), containing bradyzoites, or oocyst-contaminated water and food. The presence of dogs in farms is considered a risk factor for production animals. A wide range of diagnostic methods are currently available, but the most used is serology, ie, indirect fluorescent antibody test specific to the antibody detection in blood serum samples. No vaccine is available, but control strategies should be focused on the vertical and horizontal transmission of the parasite, ie, avoid feeding dogs with raw or undercooked meat, and taking care with water for human and animal consumption. No medicines to control the transplacental transmission are available yet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo C Silva
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, USA,
| | - Gustavo P Machado
- Department of Internal Medicine and Surgery of Small Animals, Dr Munhoz Veterinary Hospital, Itápolis, Brazil
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12
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Approaches for the vaccination and treatment of Neospora caninum infections in mice and ruminant models. Parasitology 2015; 143:245-59. [PMID: 26626124 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182015001596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is a leading cause of abortion in cattle, and is thus an important veterinary health problem of high economic significance. Vaccination has been considered a viable strategy to prevent bovine neosporosis. Different approaches have been investigated, and to date the most promising results have been achieved with live-attenuated vaccines. Subunit vaccines have also been studied, and most of them represented components that are functionally involved in (i) the physical interaction between the parasite and its host cell during invasion or (ii) tachyzoite-to-bradyzoite stage conversion. Drugs have been considered as an option to limit the effects of vertical transmission of N. caninum. Promising results with a small panel of compounds in small laboratory animal models indicate the potential value of a chemotherapeutical approach for the prevention of neosporosis in ruminants. For both, vaccines and drugs, the key for success in preventing vertical transmission lies in the application of bioactive compounds that limit parasite proliferation and dissemination, without endangering the developing fetus not only during an exogenous acute infection but also during recrudescence of a chronic infection. In this review, the current status of vaccine and drug development is presented and novel strategies against neosporosis are discussed.
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Evaluation of recombinant Neospora caninum antigens purified from silkworm larvae for the protection of N. caninum infection in mice. J Biosci Bioeng 2015; 120:715-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2015.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Revised: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 04/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Hecker YP, Cantón G, Regidor-Cerrillo J, Chianini F, Morrell E, Lischinsky L, Ortega-Mora LM, Innes EA, Odeón A, Campero CM, Moore DP. Cell mediated immune responses in the placenta following challenge of vaccinated pregnant heifers with Neospora caninum. Vet Parasitol 2015; 214:247-54. [PMID: 26553499 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Revised: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate and correlate the cell-mediated immune response and pathological changes at the maternal-fetal interface of Neospora-challenged pregnant cattle previously immunized with live and inactivated experimental vaccines. Pregnant heifers naïve to Neospora caninum were divided in 5 groups of 4 animals, each one immunized before mating: Group A heifers were intravenously (iv) immunized with 6.25 × 10(7) live tachyzoites of the NC-6 strain; group B heifers were immunized twice subcutaneously (sc) 3 weeks apart with native antigen extract of the NC-6 strain formulated with ISCOMs; group C heifers were sc immunized twice 3 weeks apart with three recombinant proteins (rNcSAG1, rNcHSP20, rNcGRA7) of the NC-1 strain formulated with ISCOMs; group D heifers were sc injected with sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and group E heifers received sc ISCOM-matrix (ISCOMs without antigen). All groups were iv-challenged with 4.7 × 10(7) NC-1 tachyzoites at 70 days of gestation. Heifers were culled at day 104 of gestation and placentomes were examined to evaluate lesions and local cellular immune responses using histopathology, immunohistochemistry and real time-PCR. Immunohistochemistry was performed using bovine leucocyte specific antibodies. Cytokine expression and levels (IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12 and TNF-α) were measured using real-time reverse transcription-PCR and ELISA, respectively. Minimal inflammation was observed in group A placentomes; while placentomes from group B, C, D and E had moderate to severe infiltration with CD3(+), CD4(+), γδ-T cells, CD8(+) cells and macrophages being more numerous in groups B and E placentomes, when compared with groups C and D (P<0.001). Cytokine levels were significantly increased in the caruncles of animals of groups B and C in comparison with the other animal groups (P < 0.001). The results from this study showed that the strongest cellular immune responses were observed in the placentomes of animals that were immunized with inactivated vaccines (groups B and C) and in the placentomes of animals that were sc-sham-inoculated (groups D and E). On the other hand, animals that were immunized with live tachyzoites showed a milder immune cell infiltration to the placenta possibly due to the existence of a protective systemic maternal immune response that helped to minimize N. caninum infection at the maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y P Hecker
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina; Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), CC 276, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina.
| | - G Cantón
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), CC 276, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina
| | - J Regidor-Cerrillo
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - F Chianini
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - E Morrell
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), CC 276, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina
| | - L Lischinsky
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), CC 276, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina
| | - L M Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - E A Innes
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - A Odeón
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), CC 276, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina
| | - C M Campero
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), CC 276, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina
| | - D P Moore
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina; Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), CC 276, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina
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