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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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Sipka A, Mann S, Babasyan S, Freer H, Wagner B. Development of a bead-based multiplex assay to quantify bovine interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γ concentrations in plasma and cell culture supernatant. JDS COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 3:207-211. [PMID: 36338808 PMCID: PMC9623719 DOI: 10.3168/jdsc.2021-0191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The quantification of cytokines can improve our understanding of immune response and inflammation dynamics in dairy cows. Bead-based assays provide a sensitive, high-throughput platform, allowing for simultaneous quantification of multiple cytokines within a wide linear detection range. Our objective was to develop a multiplex bead-based assay using monoclonal antibodies for simultaneous quantification of bovine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-10, and IFN-γ in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) culture supernatants. Recombinant cytokine standards produced in mammalian cells were used to determine the lower limit of detection and the linear detection range for each cytokine. The lower limit of detection was 110 pg/mL for IL-10, 95 pg/mL for TNF-α, and 20 pg/mL for IFN-γ. The linear quantification range was 110 to 241,000 pg/mL for IL-10, 95 to 620,000 pg/mL for TNF-α, and 20 to 130,000 pg/mL for IFN-γ. All 3 monoclonal capture and detection antibodies were specific for their respective cytokine analyte when using the recombinant IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ standards. Intraassay and interassay coefficients of variation (CV) were <10% and <12%, respectively, for all analytes and samples matrices. Next, concentrations of native cytokines were determined in PBMC culture supernatants (n = 4) and in plasma from whole-blood samples (n = 6) with or without stimulation with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide or a mix of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and ionomycin. Peak concentrations of all 3 cytokines were secreted from PBMC after PMA/ionomycin stimulation (TNF-α, 8 h, range: 39,266-506,422 pg/mL; IL-10, 18 h, range: 15,770-63,415 pg/mL; IFN-γ 18 h, range: 189,977-492,659 pg/mL). In contrast, the highest concentrations in plasma from whole-blood stimulation were observed for IL-10 and TNF-α after LPS stimulation (TNF-α, 4 h, range: 1,764-13,460 pg/mL; IL-10, 24 h, range: 2,401-6,371 pg/mL), whereas PMA and ionomycin induced the highest secretion of IFN-γ (18 h, range: 53-20,215 pg/mL). In conclusion, the multiplex assay can quantify native IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ across a broad concentration range in bovine plasma and cell culture supernatant, thereby providing a novel tool to evaluate inflammatory profiles in cattle and especially in dairy cows with inflammatory conditions. The existing multiplex assay can be expanded in the future by adding bead assays for additional bovine cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Sipka
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Sabine Mann
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Susanna Babasyan
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Heather Freer
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Bettina Wagner
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
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Neospora caninum SRS2 Protein: Essential Vaccination Targets and Biochemical Features for Next-Generation Vaccine Design. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:7070144. [PMID: 35434127 PMCID: PMC9007667 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7070144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Vaccination is a standout preventive measure to combat neosporosis among cattle herds. The present in silico study was done to evaluate the physicochemical properties and potent immunogenic epitopes of N. caninum SRS2 protein as a possible vaccine candidate. Web-based tools were used to predict physicochemical properties, antigenicity, allergenicity, solubility, posttranslational modification (PTM) sites, transmembrane domains and signal peptide, and secondary and tertiary structures as well as intrinsically disordered regions, followed by identification and screening of potential linear and conformational B-cell epitopes and those peptides having affinity to bind mouse major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL). The protein had 401 residues with a molecular weight of 42 kDa, representing aliphatic index of 69.35 (thermotolerant) and GRAVY score of -0.294 (hydrophilic). There were 53 PTM sites without a signal peptide in the sequence. Secondary structure comprised mostly by extended strand, followed by helices and coils. The Ramachandran plot of the refined model showed 90.2%, 8.8%, 0.5%, and 0.5% residues in the favored, additional allowed, generously allowed, and disallowed regions, correspondingly. Additionally, various potential B-cell (linear and conformational), CTL, and MHC-binding epitopes were predicted for N. caninum SRS2. These epitopes could be further utilized in the multiepitope vaccine constructs directed against neosporosis.
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Xu J, Hiramatsu R, Suhaimi H, Kato T, Fujimoto A, Tokiwa T, Ike K, Park EY. Neospora caninum antigens displaying virus-like particles as a bivalent vaccine candidate against neosporosis. Vaccine 2019; 37:6426-6434. [PMID: 31515150 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is a causative and transmissible agent of dog and bovine neosporosis. The resulting reproductive failures in infected cattle lead to significant economic losses worldwide. However, there is no satisfactory treatment or vaccine currently available to combat this pathogen. Thus, the development of appropriate vaccines to manage its infection and transmission is urgently needed. In this study, we expressed Rous sarcoma virus-like particles (RSV-LP) that displayed dual N. caninum antigens in silkworms. The antigen candidates are modified by adding a transmembrane domain of GP64 protein from Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) to the C-terminus of surface antigen 1 (NcSAG1) and SAG1-related sequence 2 (NcSRS2). The NcSRS2 alone or the NcSAG1/NcSRS2 bivalent form displaying RSV-LPs were purified using sucrose density gradient centrifugation. These purified VLPs were then used for immunizations in gerbils, Meriones unguiculatus, to evaluate the anti-N. caninum effects in vivo. The results demonstrated that antigens displaying RSV-LPs in immunized gerbils produced the antigen-specific antibody, leading to a relatively lower parasite load after infections of N. caninum. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to present an RSV-LP vaccine displaying bivalent antigens from neosporosis. Taken together, our strategy suggests that silkworm-expressed virus-like particles (VLPs) are promising bivalent vaccine candidates against N. caninum infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Xu
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan.
| | - Rikito Hiramatsu
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan.
| | - Hamizah Suhaimi
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan.
| | - Tatsuya Kato
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan; Laboratory of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan; Laboratory of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan.
| | - Akari Fujimoto
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, Nippon Veterinary and Life University, Musashino, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Tokiwa
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, Nippon Veterinary and Life University, Musashino, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan.
| | - Kazunori Ike
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, Nippon Veterinary and Life University, Musashino, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan.
| | - Enoch Y Park
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Research Institute of Green Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan; Laboratory of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan; Laboratory of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan.
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The soluble fraction of Neospora caninum treated with PI-PLC is dominated by NcSRS29B and NcSRS29C. Exp Parasitol 2019; 204:107731. [PMID: 31374185 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2019.107731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is an obligate intracellular parasite related to cases of abortion and fertility impairment in cattle. The control of the parasite still lacks an effective protective strategy and the understanding of key mechanisms for host infection might be crucial for identification of specific targets. There are many proteins related to important mechanisms in the host cell infection cycle such as adhesion, invasion, proliferation and immune evasion. The surface proteins, especially SRS (Surface Antigen Glycoprotein - Related Sequences), have been demonstrated to have a pivotal role in the adhesion and invasion processes, making them potential anti-parasite targets. However, several predicted surface proteins were not described concerning their function and importance in the parasite life cycle. As such, a novel SRS protein, NcSRS57, was described. NcSRS57 antiserum was used to detect SRS proteins by immunofluorescence in parasites treated or not with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC). The treatment with PI-PLC also allowed the identification of NcSRS29B and NcSRS29C, which were the most abundant SRS proteins in the soluble fraction. Our data indicated that SRS proteins in N. caninum shared a high level of sequence similarity and were susceptible to PI-PLC. In addition, the description of the SRS members, regarding abundance, function and immunogenicity will be useful in guiding specific methods to control the mechanism of adhesion and invasion mediated by these surface proteins.
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Bezerra MA, Pereira LM, Bononi A, Biella CA, Baroni L, Pollo-Oliveira L, Yatsuda AP. Constitutive expression and characterization of a surface SRS (NcSRS67) protein of Neospora caninum with no orthologue in Toxoplasma gondii. Parasitol Int 2017; 66:173-180. [PMID: 28108401 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2017.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Revised: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is a parasite of the Apicomplexa phylum responsible for abortion and losses of fertility in cattle. As part of its intracellular cycle, the first interaction of the parasite with the target cell is performed with the surface proteins known as the SRS superfamily (Surface Antigen Glycoprotein - Related Sequences). SAG related or SRS proteins have been a target of intense research due to its immunodominant pattern, exhibiting potential as diagnostic and/or vaccine candidates. The aim of this study was the cloning, expression and characterization of the gene NcSRS67 of N. caninum using a novel designed plasmid. The coding sequence of NcSRS67 (without the signal peptide and the GPI anchor) was cloned and expressed constitutively instead of the ccdB system of pCR-Blunt II-TOPO. The protein was purified in a nickel sepharose column and identified by mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The constitutive expression did not affect the final bacterial growth, with a similar OD 600nm compared to the non-transformed strains. The recombinant NcSRS67 was over expressed and the native form was detected by the anti-rNcSRS67 serum on 1D western blot as a single band of approximately 38kDa as predicted. On an in vitro assay, the inhibitory effect of the polyclonal antiserum anti-rNcSRS67 was nearly 20% on adhesion/invasion of host cells. The NcSRS67 native protein was localised on part of the surface of N. caninum tachyzoite when compared to the nucleus by confocal immunofluorescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Alexandre Bezerra
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av do café, s/n, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz Miguel Pereira
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av do café, s/n, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Aline Bononi
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av do café, s/n, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Carla Agostino Biella
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av do café, s/n, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciana Baroni
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av do café, s/n, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Leticia Pollo-Oliveira
- Núcleo de Apoio à Pesquisa em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Patrícia Yatsuda
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av do café, s/n, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Núcleo de Apoio à Pesquisa em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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Mansilla FC, Quintana ME, Cardoso NP, Capozzo AV. Fusion of foreign T-cell epitopes and addition of TLR agonists enhance immunity againstNeospora caninumprofilin in cattle. Parasite Immunol 2016; 38:663-669. [DOI: 10.1111/pim.12354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- F. C. Mansilla
- INTA-Instituto de Virología. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas; Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - M. E. Quintana
- INTA-Instituto de Virología. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas; Buenos Aires Argentina
- CONICET. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - N. P. Cardoso
- INTA-Instituto de Virología. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas; Buenos Aires Argentina
- CONICET. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - A. V. Capozzo
- INTA-Instituto de Virología. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas; Buenos Aires Argentina
- CONICET. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Buenos Aires Argentina
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A Neospora caninum vaccine using recombinant proteins fails to prevent foetal infection in pregnant cattle after experimental intravenous challenge. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2014; 162:142-53. [PMID: 25467890 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2014.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2014] [Revised: 10/16/2014] [Accepted: 11/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of rNcSAG1, rNcHSP20 and rNcGRA7 recombinant proteins formulated with immune stimulating complexes (ISCOMs) in pregnant heifers against vertical transmission of Neospora caninum. Twelve pregnant heifers were divided into 3 groups of 4 heifers each, receiving different formulations before mating. Immunogens were administered twice subcutaneously: group A animals were inoculated with three recombinant proteins (rNcSAG1, rNcHSP20, rNcGRA7) formulated with ISCOMs; group B animals received ISCOM-MATRIX (without antigen) and group C received sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) only. The recombinant proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified nickel resin. All groups were intravenously challenged with the NC-1 strain of N. caninum at Day 70 of gestation and dams slaughtered at week 17 of the experiment. Heifers from group A developed specific antibodies against rNcSAG1, rNcHSP20 and rNcGRA7 prior to the challenge. Following immunization, an statistically significant increase of antibodies against rNcSAG1 and rNcHSP20 in all animals of group A was detected compared to animals in groups B and C at weeks 5, 13 and 16 (P<0.001). Levels of antibodies against rNcGRA7 were statistical higher in group A animals when compared with groups B and C at weeks 5 and 16 (P>0.001). There were no differences in IFN-γ production among the experimental groups at any time point (P>0.05). Transplacental transmission was determined in all foetuses of groups A, B and C by Western blot, immunohistochemistry and nested PCR. This work showed that rNcSAG1, rNcHSP20 and rNcGRA7 proteins while immunogenic in cattle failed to prevent the foetal infection in pregnant cattle challenged at Day 70 of gestation.
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Kato T, Otsuki T, Yoshimoto M, Itagaki K, Kohsaka T, Matsumoto Y, Ike K, Park EY. Bombyx mori Nucleopolyhedrovirus Displaying Neospora caninum Antigens as a Vaccine Candidate Against N. caninum Infection in Mice. Mol Biotechnol 2014; 57:145-54. [DOI: 10.1007/s12033-014-9810-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Targeting TLR2 for vaccine development. J Immunol Res 2014; 2014:619410. [PMID: 25057505 PMCID: PMC4098989 DOI: 10.1155/2014/619410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2014] [Revised: 04/16/2014] [Accepted: 06/04/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel and more effective immunization strategies against many animal diseases may profit from the current knowledge on the modulation of specific immunity through stimulation of innate immune receptors. Toll-like receptor (TLR)2-targeting formulations, such as synthetic lipopeptides and antigens expressed in fusion with lipoproteins, have been shown to have built-in adjuvant properties and to be effective at inducing cellular and humoral immune mechanisms in different animal species. However, contradictory data has arisen concerning the profile of the immune response elicited. The benefits of targeting TLR2 for vaccine development are thus still debatable and more studies are needed to rationally explore its characteristics. Here, we resume the main features of TLR2 and TLR2-induced immune responses, focusing on what has been reported for veterinary animals.
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Experimental ruminant models for bovine neosporosis: what is known and what is needed. Parasitology 2014; 141:1471-88. [PMID: 24926962 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182014000638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
At present, bovine neosporosis is an important worldwide concern because of its wide geographic distribution and economic impact. Abortion is the main clinical sign of bovine neosporosis in both dairy and beef cattle. Ruminant challenge models are critical to evaluate potential vaccine candidates to help tackle bovine neosporosis and to study pathogenesis and host responses to infection. Several research groups have developed ruminant models of Neospora caninum infection independently of others, resulting in a high degree of variability due to the use of different species of animals, breeds, strains/isolates of N. caninum, doses, routes and times of inoculation. Standardization is greatly needed to advance research in a more collaborative, timely and efficient manner. In the absence of widely accepted international guidelines, this manuscript serves to summarize and discuss the different models and parameters currently in use. Parameters essential for the development of non-pregnant and pregnant ruminant models are outlined and the main knowledge gaps are identified. This information could act as the basis to develop a consensus for international standard guidelines for ruminant models of neosporosis that would be helpful for researchers in this field worldwide.
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Pollo-Oliveira L, Post H, Acencio ML, Lemke N, van den Toorn H, Tragante V, Heck AJR, Altelaar AFM, Yatsuda AP. Unravelling the Neospora caninum secretome through the secreted fraction (ESA) and quantification of the discharged tachyzoite using high-resolution mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:335. [PMID: 24267406 PMCID: PMC4182915 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2013] [Accepted: 11/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The apicomplexan parasite Neospora caninum causes neosporosis, a disease that leads to abortion or stillbirth in cattle, generating an economic impact on the dairy and beef cattle trade. As an obligatory intracellular parasite, N. caninum needs to invade the host cell in an active manner to survive. The increase in parasite cytosolic Ca2+ upon contact with the host cell mediates critical events, including the exocytosis of phylum-specific secretory organelles and the activation of the parasite invasion motor. Because invasion is considered a requirement for pathogen survival and replication within the host, the identification of secreted proteins (secretome) involved in invasion may be useful to reveal interesting targets for therapeutic intervention. METHODS To chart the currently missing N. caninum secretome, we employed mass spectrometry-based proteomics to identify proteins present in the N. caninum tachyzoite using two different approaches. The first approach was identifying the proteins present in the tachyzoite-secreted fraction (ESA). The second approach was determining the relative quantification through peptide stable isotope labelling of the tachyzoites submitted to an ethanol secretion stimulus (discharged tachyzoite), expecting to identify the secreted proteins among the down-regulated group. RESULTS As a result, 615 proteins were identified at ESA and 2,011 proteins quantified at the discharged tachyzoite. We have analysed the connection between the secreted and the down-regulated proteins and searched for putative regulators of the secretion process among the up-regulated proteins. An interaction network was built by computational prediction involving the up- and down-regulated proteins. The mass spectrometry proteomics data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD000424. CONCLUSIONS The comparison between the protein abundances in ESA and their measure in the discharged tachyzoite allowed for a more precise identification of the most likely secreted proteins. Information from the network interaction and up-regulated proteins was important to recognise key proteins potentially involved in the metabolic regulation of secretion. Our results may be helpful to guide the selection of targets to be investigated against Neospora caninum and other Apicomplexan organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia Pollo-Oliveira
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto e Núcleo de Apoio à Pesquisa em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos (NPPNS), Universidade de São Paulo, Av do Café , s/n, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil
| | - Harm Post
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences and Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, Utrecht 3884 CH, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Proteomics Centre, Padualaan 8, Utrecht 3884 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Marcio Luis Acencio
- Botucatu Institute of Biosciences, UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista, Distrito de Rubião Jr, s/n, Botucatu, São Paulo 18918-970, Brazil
| | - Ney Lemke
- Botucatu Institute of Biosciences, UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista, Distrito de Rubião Jr, s/n, Botucatu, São Paulo 18918-970, Brazil
| | - Henk van den Toorn
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences and Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, Utrecht 3884 CH, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Proteomics Centre, Padualaan 8, Utrecht 3884 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Vinicius Tragante
- Division of Heart and Lungs, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Division of Biomedical Genetics, Department of Medical Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Albert JR Heck
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences and Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, Utrecht 3884 CH, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Proteomics Centre, Padualaan 8, Utrecht 3884 CH, The Netherlands
| | - AF Maarten Altelaar
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences and Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, Utrecht 3884 CH, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Proteomics Centre, Padualaan 8, Utrecht 3884 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Ana Patrícia Yatsuda
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto e Núcleo de Apoio à Pesquisa em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos (NPPNS), Universidade de São Paulo, Av do Café , s/n, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil
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Nishimura M, Kohara J, Kuroda Y, Hiasa J, Tanaka S, Muroi Y, Kojima N, Furuoka H, Nishikawa Y. Oligomannose-coated liposome-entrapped dense granule protein 7 induces protective immune response to Neospora caninum in cattle. Vaccine 2013; 31:3528-35. [PMID: 23742998 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.05.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2013] [Revised: 05/01/2013] [Accepted: 05/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is an intracellular protozoan parasite that causes abortion in cows. Vaccination is an important strategy for control of neosporosis, and a safe and effective vaccine suitable for cattle is required. Dense granule protein 7 of N. caninum (NcGRA7) is a secretory protein with high antigenicity in hosts. We demonstrated previously that NcGRA7 entrapped in liposomes coated with mannotriose (M3-NcGRA7) could induce a parasite-specific T-helper type 1 immune response and produce humoral antibodies that resulted in increased offspring survival and decreased infection in the brains of mice dams. In the present study, the efficacy of M3-NcGRA7 as a vaccine candidate against N. caninum has been evaluated in cattle (n=12). Cattle were immunized with M3-NcGRA7 containing 50 μg (n=4) or 200 μg NcGRA7 (n=4) subcutaneously twice with a 4-week interval and all cattle including the non-immunized controls (n=4) were inoculated with 10(7) tachyzoites of Nc-1 strain 27 days after the second immunization and euthanized at 85-87 days post infection (dpi). In immunized cattle, NcGRA7-specific antibody production and IFN-γ production in PBMC was induced before challenge. At 3 dpi, body temperature and concentration of serum IFN-γ tended to be higher in control cattle than in the immunized cattle. Furthermore, the parasite load in the brain significantly decreased in cattle immunized with 50 μg M3-NcGRA7 compared with controls. These results suggest that M3-NcGRA7 can induce protective immune responses to N. caninum tachyzoites in cattle, which could lead to practical application of safe and effective subunit vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maki Nishimura
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
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Otsuki T, Dong J, Kato T, Park EY. Expression, purification and antigenicity of Neospora caninum-antigens using silkworm larvae targeting for subunit vaccines. Vet Parasitol 2013; 192:284-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.09.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2012] [Revised: 09/26/2012] [Accepted: 09/30/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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On the efficacy and safety of vaccination with live tachyzoites of Neospora caninum for prevention of neospora-associated fetal loss in cattle. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2012; 20:99-105. [PMID: 23175289 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00225-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Infection of cattle with Neospora caninum may result in abortion or the birth of a congenitally infected calf. Vaccination with live N. caninum protects against experimental infection of cattle and mice, and the naturally attenuated Nc-Nowra strain of N. caninum is of particular interest as a potential vaccine candidate. Vaccination of heifers prior to breeding with live Nc-Nowra tachyzoites by either the subcutaneous or the intravenous route reduced the rate of abortion and the presence of the parasite in calves as determined by PCR and serology after infection of cows with a virulent isolate. Protected fractions were 55.6% to 85.2% depending on the route of vaccination and growth conditions of the vaccine strain, with cryopreserved Nc-Nowra tachyzoites being less effective, with a 25.9% protected fraction. Vaccination appeared to reduce the rate of pregnancy after artificial insemination in some groups compared to nonvaccinated, nonchallenged controls. One animal that was vaccinated but not challenged experienced an abortion, but Nc-Nowra could not be detected in any of the cows in this group or their progeny. This study confirms that live vaccination can be an effective method of preventing neosporosis in cattle and yet highlights the technical hurdle of preservation of live parasites that must be overcome for a vaccine to be commercially successful.
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Goodswen SJ, Kennedy PJ, Ellis JT. A guide to in silico vaccine discovery for eukaryotic pathogens. Brief Bioinform 2012; 14:753-74. [PMID: 23097412 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbs066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In this article, a framework for an in silico pipeline is presented as a guide to high-throughput vaccine candidate discovery for eukaryotic pathogens, such as helminths and protozoa. Eukaryotic pathogens are mostly parasitic and cause some of the most damaging and difficult to treat diseases in humans and livestock. Consequently, these parasitic pathogens have a significant impact on economy and human health. The pipeline is based on the principle of reverse vaccinology and is constructed from freely available bioinformatics programs. There are several successful applications of reverse vaccinology to the discovery of subunit vaccines against prokaryotic pathogens but not yet against eukaryotic pathogens. The overriding aim of the pipeline, which focuses on eukaryotic pathogens, is to generate through computational processes of elimination and evidence gathering a ranked list of proteins based on a scoring system. These proteins are either surface components of the target pathogen or are secreted by the pathogen and are of a type known to be antigenic. No perfect predictive method is yet available; therefore, the highest-scoring proteins from the list require laboratory validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Goodswen
- School of Medical and Molecular Sciences, Ithree Institute, University of Technology Sydney. Tel.: +61 2 9514 4161;
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Identification and characterization of a novel Neospora caninum immune mapped protein 1. Parasitology 2012; 139:998-1004. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182012000285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
SUMMARYImmune mapped protein 1 (IMP1) is a newly discovered protein in Eimeria maxima. It is recognized as a potential vaccine candidate against E. maxima and a highly conserved protein in apicomplexan parasites. Although the Neospora caninum IMP1 (NcIMP1) orthologue of E. maxima IMP1 was predicted in the N. caninum genome, it was still not identified and characterized. In this study, cDNA sequence encoding NcIMP1 was cloned by RT-PCR from RNA isolated from Nc1 tachyzoites. NcIMP1 was encoded by an open reading frame of 1182 bp, which encoded a protein of 393 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 42·9 kDa. Sequence analysis showed that there was neither a signal peptide nor a transmembrane region present in the NcIMP1 amino acid sequence. However, several kinds of functional protein motifs, including an N-myristoylation site and a palmitoylation site were predicted. Recombinant NcIMP1 (rNcIMP1) was expressed in Escherichia coli and then purified rNcIMP1 was used to prepare specific antisera in mice. Mouse polyclonal antibodies raised against the rNcIMP1 recognized an approximate 43 kDa native IMP1 protein. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that NcIMP1 was localized on the membrane of N. caninum tachyzoites. The N-myristoylation site and the palmitoylation site were found to contribute to the localization of NcIMP1. Furthermore, the rNcIMP1-specific antibodies could inhibit cell invasion by N. caninum tachyzoites in vitro. All the results indicate that NcIMP1 is likely to be a membrane protein of N. caninum and may be involved in parasite invasion.
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Mansilla FC, Franco-Mahecha OL, Lavoria MÁ, Moore DP, Giraldez AN, Iglesias ME, Wilda M, Capozzo AV. The immune enhancement of a novel soy lecithin/β-glucans based adjuvant on native Neospora caninum tachyzoite extract vaccine in mice. Vaccine 2012; 30:1124-31. [PMID: 22178728 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2011] [Revised: 12/01/2011] [Accepted: 12/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Efficient, cost-effective and safe Th1-immunity-inducing vaccine formulations are paramount for achieving protection against Neospora caninum. In this study, a new adjuvant (Providean-AVEC) was used in the development of a N. caninum vaccine and evaluated in a mouse model. Soluble N. caninum tachyzoite native protein extract (sNcAg) was selected as vaccine antigen based on its capacity to activate production of pro-inflammatory cytokines on dendritic cells. Vaccines containing 4 and 0.4 μg of sNcAg, and Providean-AVEC, ISCOM-Matrix or aluminum hydroxide (Alum) were tested in BALB/c mice. While mice vaccinated with 4μg of sNcAg + Providean-AVEC developed specific antibodies shortly after the first dose, the rest of the high antigen payload formulations only induced seroconversion after the booster. Mice immunized with the high payload ISCOM vaccine (4 μg sNcAg) or with either low or high payload Providean-AVEC formulations (0.4 μg and 4 μg sNcAg, respectively) elicited higher IgG2a than IgG1 serum levels, and IFN-γ anamnestic responses with a Th1-cytokine biased profile. These animals had no histological signs of cerebral lesions and parasite burden assessed by quantitative real-time PCR was not detected. Vaccine preparations including Providean-AVEC as adjuvant limited N. canimum multiplication even with only a tenth of antigen payload compared to vaccines containing other adjuvants. Using adjuvants to specifically activate dendritic cells, combined with a careful antigen selection can enhance cellular responses to inert N. caninum vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florencia Celeste Mansilla
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Dr. César Milstein, Saladillo 2468, 1440 Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Rocchi MS, Bartley PM, Inglis NF, Collantes-Fernandez E, Entrican G, Katzer F, Innes EA. Selection of Neospora caninum antigens stimulating bovine CD4+ve T cell responses through immuno-potency screening and proteomic approaches. Vet Res 2011; 42:91. [PMID: 21813001 PMCID: PMC3167765 DOI: 10.1186/1297-9716-42-91] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2011] [Accepted: 08/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neospora caninum is recognised worldwide as a major cause of bovine infectious abortion. There is a real need to develop effective strategies to control infection during pregnancy which may lead to either abortion or congenital transmission. Due to the intracellular nature of the parasite, cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses involving CD4+ve, CD8+ve, γ/δ TCR+ve T cells and NK cells, as well as production of IFN-γ, are thought to be important for protective immunity. In this study we applied a combination of proteomic and immunological approaches to identify antigens of N. caninum that are recognized by CD4+ve T cell lines derived from infected cattle. Initially, N. caninum tachyzoite Water Soluble Antigens (NcWSA) were fractionated by size-exclusion HPLC and then screened for immune-potency using CD4+ve T cell lines. LC-ESI-MS/MS (liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry) was employed to catalogue and identify the proteins comprising three immunologically selected fractions and led to the identification of six N. caninum target proteins as well as sixteen functional orthologues of Toxoplasma gondii. This approach allows the screening of biologically reactive antigenic fractions by the immune cells responsible for protection (such as bovine CD4+ve cells) and the subsequent identification of the stimulating components using tandem mass spectrometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara S Rocchi
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Midlothian, EH26 0PZ, UK.
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Reichel MP, Ellis JT. Neospora caninum--how close are we to development of an efficacious vaccine that prevents abortion in cattle? Int J Parasitol 2009; 39:1173-87. [PMID: 19497326 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2009.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2009] [Revised: 05/19/2009] [Accepted: 05/20/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite that causes abortion in cattle around the world. Although the clinical signs of disease in both dogs and cattle have now been recognised for over 20years, treatment and control options are still limited, despite the availability of a commercial vaccine in some countries of the world. The case for an efficacious vaccine has not been convincingly waged by farmers, veterinarians and other members of the agricultural and rural communities. In recent times, however, economic modelling has been used to estimate the industry losses due to Neospora-associated abortion, providing, in turn, the business case for forms of control for this parasite, including the development of vaccines. In this review, we document progress in all areas of the vaccine development pipeline, including live, killed and recombinant forms and the animal models available for vaccine evaluation. In addition, we summarise the main outcomes on the economics of Neospora control and suggest that the current boom in the global dairy industry increases the specific need for a vaccine against N. caninum-associated abortion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Reichel
- Department of Medical and Molecular Biosciences, University of Technology, Sydney, P.O. Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
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Immunization with oligomannose-coated liposome-entrapped dense granule protein 7 protects dams and offspring from Neospora caninum infection in mice. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2009; 16:792-7. [PMID: 19357313 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00032-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The present study demonstrates that the subcutaneous administration of Neospora caninum dense granule protein 7 (NcGRA7) entrapped in liposomes coated with mannotriose strongly induces the parasite-specific T-helper type 1 immune response and humoral antibody in mice. Although anti-NcGRA7 immunoglobulin G1 antibody production was induced in mice injected with NcGRA7 alone, the dams and offspring were never protected from N. caninum infection. The immunization of mice with liposome-entrapped NcGRA7 before pregnancy resulted in increased offspring survival and decreased the infection rates in the brains of dams after parasite infection at 6 to 9 days of gestation. In conclusion, oligomannose-coated liposome-entrapped NcGRA7 can be used as a new type of effective vaccine to control neosporosis.
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Nishikawa Y, Zhang H, Huang P, Zhang G, Xuan X. Effects of a transferring antibody against Neospora caninum infection in a murine model. Vet Parasitol 2008; 160:60-5. [PMID: 19056179 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2008.10.095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2008] [Revised: 10/14/2008] [Accepted: 10/15/2008] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the roles of a transferring antibody against Neospora caninum infection based on a murine model using recombinant vaccinia virus carrying NcSRS2 gene. Higher levels of anti-NcSRS2 antibody were detected in surviving offspring from vaccinated dams than controls while the transferring anti-NcSAG1 antibody was detected in the surviving offspring from unvaccinated dams. After mating, the female mice with transferring antibody against N. caninum were challenged with the parasites in mid-gestation. The transferring antibodies disappeared during pregnancy upon parasite infection. There was no significant difference on the parasite burden in dams and the survival rates of their offspring. Here, we have shown that N. caninum-specific transferring antibody does not control parasite infection in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshifumi Nishikawa
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
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