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Jeske R, Becker N, Kroeller L, Mentzer AJ, Brenner N, Guy E, Waterboer T, Butt J. Advancing Toxoplasma gondii multiplex serology. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0361823. [PMID: 38385741 PMCID: PMC10986549 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03618-23] [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: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a highly prevalent pathogen causing zoonotic infections with significant public health implications. Yet, our understanding of long-term consequences, associated risk factors, and the potential role of co-infections is still limited. Seroepidemiological studies are a valuable approach to address open questions and enhance our insights into T. gondii across human populations. Here, we present substantial advancements to our previously developed T. gondii multiplex serology assay, which is based on the immunodominant antigens SAG1 and P22. While our previous bead-based assay quantified antibody levels against multiple targets in a high-throughput fashion requiring only a small sample volume, impaired assay characteristics emerged in sample dilutions beyond 1:100 and when being transferred to magnetic beads. Both are now critical for inclusion in large-scale seroprevalence studies. Using the truncated versions, SAG1D1 and P22trunc, significantly enhanced signal-to-noise ratios were achieved with almost perfect concordance with the gold-standard Sabin-Feldman dye test. In sample dilutions of 1:100, the diagnostic accuracy of SAG1D1 and P22trunc reached sensitivities (true positive rates) of 98% and 94% and specificities (true negative rates) of 93% and 95%, respectively. Importantly, performance metrics were reproducible in a 1:1,000 sample dilution, using both magnetic and nonmagnetic beads. Thresholds for seropositivity were derived from finite mixture models and performed equally well as thresholds by receiver operating characteristic analysis. Our improved multiplex serology assay is therefore able to generate robust and reproducible performance metrics under various assay conditions. Inclusion of T. gondii antibody measurements with other pathogens, in multiplex serology panels will allow for large-scale seroepidemiological research. IMPORTANCE Toxoplasma gondii is a pathogen of significant public health concern due to its widespread prevalence and zoonotic potential. However, our understanding of key aspects, such as risk factors for infection and disease, potential outcomes, and their trends, remains limited. Seroepidemiological studies in large cohorts are invaluable for addressing these questions but remain scarce. Our revised multiplex serology assay equips researchers with a powerful tool capable of delivering T. gondii serum antibody measurements with high sensitivity and specificity under diverse assay conditions. This advancement paves the way for the integration of T. gondii antibody measurements into multi-pathogen multiplex serology panels, promising valuable insights into public health and pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rima Jeske
- Division of Infections and Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nico Becker
- Division of Infections and Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Lea Kroeller
- Division of Infections and Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Nicole Brenner
- Division of Infections and Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Edward Guy
- Toxoplasma Reference Unit, Public Health Wales Microbiology, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Tim Waterboer
- Division of Infections and Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julia Butt
- Division of Infections and Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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Host cell proteins modulated upon Toxoplasma infection identified using proteomic approaches: a molecular rationale. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:1853-1865. [PMID: 35552534 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07541-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a pathogenic protozoan parasite belonging to the apicomplexan phylum that infects the nucleated cells of warm-blooded hosts leading to an infectious disease known as toxoplasmosis. Apicomplexan parasites such as T. gondii can display different mechanisms to control or manipulate host cells signaling at different levels altering the host subcellular genome and proteome. Indeed, Toxoplasma is able to modulate host cell responses (especially immune responses) during infection to its advantage through both structural and functional changes in the proteome of different infected cells. Consequently, parasites can transform the invaded cells into a suitable environment for its own replication and the induction of infection. Proteomics as an applicable tool can identify such critical proteins involved in pathogen (Toxoplasma)-host cell interactions and consequently clarify the cellular mechanisms that facilitate the entry of pathogens into host cells, and their replication and transmission, as well as the central mechanisms of host defense against pathogens. Accordingly, the current paper reviews several proteins (identified using proteomic approaches) differentially expressed in the proteome of Toxoplasma-infected host cells (macrophages and human foreskin fibroblasts) and tissues (brain and liver) and highlights their plausible functions in the cellular biology of the infected cells. The identification of such modulated proteins and their related cell impact (cell responses/signaling) can provide further information regarding parasite pathogenesis and biology that might lead to a better understanding of therapeutic strategies and novel drug targets.
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Ghaffari AD, Dalimi A, Ghaffarifar F, Pirestani M, Majidiani H. Immunoinformatic analysis of immunogenic B- and T-cell epitopes of MIC4 protein to designing a vaccine candidate against Toxoplasma gondii through an in-silico approach. Clin Exp Vaccine Res 2021; 10:59-77. [PMID: 33628756 PMCID: PMC7892946 DOI: 10.7774/cevr.2021.10.1.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Toxoplasmosis, transmitted by Toxoplasma gondii, is a worldwide parasitic disease that affects approximately one-third of the world's inhabitants. Today, there are no appropriate drugs to deter tissue cysts from developing in infected hosts. So, developing an effective vaccine would be valuable to avoid from toxoplasmosis. Considering the role of microneme antigens such as microneme protein 4 (MIC4) in T. gondii pathogenesis, it can be used as potential candidates for vaccine against T. gondii. Materials and Methods In this study several bioinformatics methods were used to assess the different aspects of MIC4 protein such as secondary and tertiary structure, physicochemical characteristics, the transmembrane domains, subcellular localization, B-cell, helper-T lymphocyte, cytotoxic-T lymphocyte epitopes, and other notable characteristic of this protein design a suitable vaccine against T. gondii. Results The studies revealed that MIC4 protein includes 59 potential post-translational modification sites without any transmembrane domains. Moreover, several probable epitopes of B- and T-cells were detected for MIC4. The secondary structure comprised 55.69% random coil, 5.86% beta-turn, 19.31% extended strand, and 19.14% alpha helix. According to the Ramachandran plot results, 87.42% of the amino acid residues were located in the favored, 9.44% in allowed, and 3.14% in outlier regions. The protein allergenicity and antigenicity revealed that it was non-allergenic and antigenic. Conclusion This study gives vital basic on MIC4 protein for further research and also established an effective vaccine with different techniques against acute and chronic toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Dalir Ghaffari
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdolhossein Dalimi
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ghaffarifar
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Pirestani
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Majidiani
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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Javadi Mamaghani A, Fathollahi A, Spotin A, Ranjbar MM, Barati M, Aghamolaie S, Karimi M, Taghipour N, Ashrafi M, Tabaei SJS. Candidate antigenic epitopes for vaccination and diagnosis strategies of Toxoplasma gondii infection: A review. Microb Pathog 2019; 137:103788. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Ferra BT, Holec-Gąsior L, Gatkowska J, Dziadek B, Dzitko K, Grąźlewska W, Lautenbach D. The first study on the usefulness of recombinant tetravalent chimeric proteins containing fragments of SAG2, GRA1, ROP1 and AMA1 antigens in the detection of specific anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in mouse and human sera. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0217866. [PMID: 31170254 PMCID: PMC6553757 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This study presents an evaluation of four tetravalent recombinant chimeric proteins containing fragments of the Toxoplasma gondii antigens, SAG2, GRA1, ROP1 and AMA1, as potential replacements of a the soluble, whole-cell tachyzoite lysate (TLA) used in serological assays. Recombinant chimeric proteins (SAG2-GRA1-ROP1-AMA1N, AMA1N-SAG2-GRA1-ROP1, AMA1C-SAG2-GRA1-ROP1, and AMA1-SAG2-GRA1-ROP1) obtained by genetic engineering were tested for their reactivity with specific IgM and IgG antibodies from sera of experimentally infected mice and humans with T. gondii infection using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In total 192 serum samples from patients with acquired T. gondii infection and 137 sera from seronegative individuals were examined. The reactivity of chimeric antigens with antibodies generated during T. gondii invasion was measured and compared to the results obtained in assays based on whole-cell Toxoplasma antigen. Chimeric proteins proved effective in differentiation between T. gondii-infected and uninfected individuals (100% sensitivity and specificity in the IgG ELISAs) which shows their potential usefulness as a replacements for TLA in standardized commercial tests for the serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis. In addition, the chimeric proteins were tested for use in avidity determination. Obtained results were comparable to those of the corresponding commercial assays, suggesting the utility of these proteins for avidity assessment. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that the AMA1-SAG2-GRA1-ROP1 chimeric protein has the potential to distinguish specific antibodies from serum samples of individuals with the early and chronic phase of T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartłomiej Tomasz Ferra
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gdańsk, Poland
- * E-mail:
| | - Lucyna Holec-Gąsior
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Justyna Gatkowska
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland
| | - Bożena Dziadek
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Dzitko
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland
| | - Weronika Grąźlewska
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gdańsk, Poland
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Li S, Gong P, Zhang N, Li X, Tai L, Wang X, Yang Z, Yang J, Zhu X, Zhang X, Li J. 14-3-3 Protein of Neospora caninum Modulates Host Cell Innate Immunity Through the Activation of MAPK and NF-κB Pathways. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:37. [PMID: 30740096 PMCID: PMC6355710 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Neospora caninum is an obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite, the etiologic agent of neosporosis, and a major cause of reproductive loss in cattle. There is still a lack of effective prevention and treatment measures. The 14-3-3 protein is a widely expressed acidic protein that spontaneously forms dimers within apicomplexan parasites. This protein has been isolated and sequenced in many parasites; however, there are few reports about the N. caninum 14-3-3 protein. Here, we successfully expressed and purified a recombinant fusion protein of Nc14-3-3 (rNc14-3-3) and prepared a polyclonal antibody. Immunofluorescence and immunogold electron microscopy studies of tachyzoites or N. caninum-infected cells suggested that 14-3-3 was localized in the cytosol and the membrane. Western blotting analysis indicated that rNc14-3-3 could be recognized by N. caninum-infected mouse sera, suggesting that 14-3-3 may be an infection-associated antigen that is involved in the host immune response. We demonstrated that rNc14-3-3 induced cytokine expression by activating the MAPK and AKT signaling pathways, and inhibitors of p38, ERK, JNK, and AKT could significantly decrease the production of IL-6, IL-12p40, and TNF-α. In addition, phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB/p65) was observed in wild-type peritoneal macrophages (PMs) treated with rNc14-3-3, and the protein level of NF-κB/p65 was reduced in the cytoplasm but increased correspondingly in the nucleus after 2 h of treatment. These results were also observed in deficient in TLR2-/- PMs. Taken together, our results indicated that the N. caninum 14-3-3 protein can induce effective immune responses and stimulate cytokine expression by activating the MAPK, AKT, and NF-κB signaling pathways but did not dependent TLR2, suggesting that Nc14-3-3 is a novel vaccine candidate against neosporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Li
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research by Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Pengtao Gong
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research by Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research by Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xin Li
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research by Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lixin Tai
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research by Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research by Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhengtao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research by Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ju Yang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research by Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xingquan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xichen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research by Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jianhua Li
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research by Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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A systematic review on efficiency of microneme proteins to induce protective immunity against Toxoplasma gondii. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2019; 38:617-629. [DOI: 10.1007/s10096-018-03442-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Leal-Sena JA, Dos Santos JL, Dos Santos TAR, de Andrade EM, de Oliveira Mendes TA, Santana JO, Mineo TWP, Mineo JR, da Cunha-Júnior JP, Pirovani CP. Toxoplasma gondii antigen SAG2A differentially modulates IL-1β expression in resistant and susceptible murine peritoneal cells. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:2235-2249. [PMID: 29353306 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-8759-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The cell surface of Toxoplasma gondii is covered by antigens (SAGs) from the SRS family anchored by glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) and includes antigens from the SAG2 family. Among these, the SAG2A surface antigen shows great potential in activating humoral responses and has been used in characterizing the acute phase of infection and in the serological diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate rSAG2A-induced proteins in BALB/c and C57BL/c mice macrophages and to evaluate the phenotypic polarization induced in the process. We treated the peritoneal macrophages from mouse strains that were resistant or susceptible to T. gondii with rSAG2A to analyze their proteomic profile by mass spectrometry and systems biology. We also examined the gene expression of these cells by RT-qPCR using the phenotypic markers of M1 and M2 macrophages. Differences were observed in the expression of proteins involved in the inflammatory process in both resistant and susceptible cells, and macrophages were preferentially induced to obtain a pro-inflammatory immune response (M1) via the overexpression of IL-1β in mice susceptible to this parasite. These data suggest that the SAG2A antigen induces phenotypic and classical activation of macrophages in both resistant and susceptible strains of mice during the acute phase of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jane Lima Dos Santos
- Biothecnology and Genetic Center, State University of Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.
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Pereira LM, de Luca G, Abichabki NDLM, Bronzon da Costa CM, Yatsuda AP. Synergic in vitro combinations of artemisinin, pyrimethamine and methylene blue against Neospora caninum. Vet Parasitol 2017; 249:92-97. [PMID: 29279093 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Revised: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is a member of Apicomplexa phylum, the causative agent of neosporosis. The neosporosis combat is not well established and several strategies related to vaccine, chemotherapy and immune modulation are under development. In this work, we evaluated the effects of artemisinin (Art), methylene blue (MB) and pyrimethamine (Pyr) alone or associated, on N. caninum proliferation and elimination using LacZ tagged tachyzoites. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) production after incubation with Art were also performed. Our results indicate that combinations of classical antimalarial drugs improve the parasite control, allowing the use of three drugs in a single dose. Additionally, artemisinin demonstrated distinct ROS production patterns in intra and extracellular N. caninum forms. The drug repurposing appears as a suitable approach, allowing a fast and safe method to evaluate old drugs but novel candidates against neosporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz Miguel Pereira
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av do Café, sn/n, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Núcleo de Apoio à Pesquisa em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Gabriela de Luca
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av do Café, sn/n, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Nathália de Lima Martins Abichabki
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av do Café, sn/n, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Cássia Mariana Bronzon da Costa
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av do Café, sn/n, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Patrícia Yatsuda
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av do Café, sn/n, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Núcleo de Apoio à Pesquisa em Produtos Naturais e Sintéticos, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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Lai MY, Lau YL. Screening and identification of host proteins interacting with Toxoplasma gondii SAG2 by yeast two-hybrid assay. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:456. [PMID: 28969712 PMCID: PMC5625703 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2387-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 09/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The identification of receptors or binding partners of Toxoplasma gondii from humans is an essential activity. Many proteins involved in T. gondii invasion have been characterized, and their contribution for parasite entry has been proposed. However, their molecular interactions remain unclear. RESULTS Yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) experiment was used to identify the binding partners of surface antigens of T. gondii by using SAG2 as bait. Colony PCR was performed and positive clones were sent for sequencing to confirm their identity. The yeast plasmids for true positive clones were rescued by transformation into E. coli TOP 10F' cells. The interplay between bait and prey was confirmed by β-galactosidase assay and co-immunoprecipitation experiment. We detected 20 clones interacting with SAG2 based on a series of the selection procedures. Following the autoactivation and toxicity tests, SAG2 was proven to be a suitable candidate as a bait. Thirteen clones were further examined by small scale Y2H experiment. The results indicated that a strong interaction existed between Homo sapiens zinc finger protein and SAG2, which could activate the expressions of the reporter genes in diploid yeast. Co-immunoprecipitation experiment result indicated the binding between this prey and SAG2 protein was significant (Mann-Whitney U-test: Z = -1.964, P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Homo sapiens zinc finger protein was found to interact with SAG2. To improve the understanding of this prey protein's function, advanced investigations need to be carried out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Yee Lai
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yee-Ling Lau
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Alibakhshi A, Bandehpour M, Kazemi B. Cloning, expression and purification of a polytopic antigen comprising of surface antigens of Toxoplasma gondii. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY 2017; 9:251-256. [PMID: 29238461 PMCID: PMC5723978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Polytopic antigens are recently applied for replacing crude antigens, for control of infectious agents. The surface of the Toxoplasma is covered with immunogenic antigens namely surface antigens (SAGs). These antigens possess several immunogenic epitopes, inducing immune responses. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, a DNA construct comprising of sequences encoding epitopes from SAG1, 2 and 3 was designed and cloned into pET28a expression vector and subsequently expressed and purified, using Ni-NTA column. RESULTS The SDS-PAGE and Western blotting analysis showed that polytopic genes were successfully expressed and purified. CONCLUSION The surface antigenic protein of T. gondii can be applied in the future epitope-based applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas Alibakhshi
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojgan Bandehpour
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Corresponding author: Mojgan Bandehpour, Ph.D, Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Tel: +98-2122439957, +98-2122439848,
| | - Bahram Kazemi
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Department of Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Importance of serological cross-reactivity among Toxoplasma gondii, Hammondia spp., Neospora spp., Sarcocystis spp. and Besnoitia besnoiti. Parasitology 2017; 144:851-868. [PMID: 28241894 PMCID: PMC5471829 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182017000063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora spp., Sarcocystis spp., Hammondia spp. and Besnoitia besnoiti are genetically related cyst-forming coccidia. Serology is frequently used for the identification of T. gondii, Neospora spp. and B. besnoiti-exposed individuals. Serologic cross-reactions occur in different tests among animals infected with T. gondii and H. hammondi, as well as among animals infected by T. gondii and N. caninum. Infections caused by N. caninum and N. hughesi are almost indistinguishable by serology. Neospora caninum, B. besnoiti and Sarcocystis spp. infections in cattle show some degree of serologic cross-reactivity. Antibody cross-reactivity between Neospora spp. and H. heydorni-infected animals is suspected, but not proven to occur. We review serologic cross-reactivity among animals and/or humans infected with T. gondii, Neospora spp., Sarcocystis spp., Hammondia spp. and B. besnoiti. Emphasis is laid upon antigens and serological methods for N. caninum diagnosis which were tested for cross-reactivity with related protozoa. Species-specific antigens, as well as stage-specific proteins have been identified in some of these parasites and have promising use for diagnosis and epidemiological surveys.
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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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Hajissa K, Zakaria R, Suppian R, Mohamed Z. Design and evaluation of a recombinant multi-epitope antigen for serodiagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in humans. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:315. [PMID: 26062975 PMCID: PMC4465724 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0932-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Serological investigation remains the primary approach to achieve satisfactory results in Toxoplasma gondii identification. However, the accuracy of the native antigen used in the current diagnostic kits has proven to be insufficient as well as difficult to standardize, so significant efforts have been made to find alternative reagents as capture antigens. Consequently, multi-epitope peptides are promising diagnostic markers, with the potential for improving the accuracy of diagnostic kits. In this study, we described a simple, inexpensive and improved strategy to acquire such diagnostic markers. The study was aimed at producing novel synthetic protein consisting of multiple immunodominant epitopes of several T. gondii antigens. Findings To accomplish our goals, a single synthetic gene of approximately 456 bp, which encodes potential epitopes of T. gondii antigens, was successfully constructed using gene assembly PCR. The constructed gene was cloned into a pET32a expression vector and transformed into BL21 E. coli. The entire protein was successfully expressed and purified. Subsequently, the preliminary diagnostic performance of expressed protein was evaluated by developing IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot analysis using human sera. The results showed 100 % sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion A purified protein expressing multi-immunodominant epitopes of T. gondii was generated. Further studies are required to evaluate the immunogenicity in animal models and to verify the immuno-reactivity of USM.TOXO1 as a diagnostic antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid Hajissa
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
| | - Robaiza Zakaria
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
| | - Rapeah Suppian
- Biomedicine Program, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
| | - Zeehaida Mohamed
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
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15
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Ferra B, Holec-Gąsior L, Kur J. A new Toxoplasma gondii chimeric antigen containing fragments of SAG2, GRA1, and ROP1 proteins-impact of immunodominant sequences size on its diagnostic usefulness. Parasitol Res 2015; 114:3291-9. [PMID: 26055987 PMCID: PMC4537703 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4552-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Accepted: 05/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This study presents the first evaluation of new Toxoplasma gondii recombinant chimeric antigens containing three immunodominant regions of SAG2, GRA1, and one of two ROP1 fragments differing in length for the serodiagnosis of human toxoplasmosis. The recombinant chimeric antigens SAG2-GRA1-ROP1L (with large fragment of ROP1, 85–396 amino acid residues) and SAG2-GRA1-ROP1S (with a small fragment of ROP1, 85–250 amino acid residues) were obtained as fusion proteins containing His6-tags at both ends using an Escherichia coli expression system. The diagnostic utility of these chimeric antigens was determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of specific anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG). The IgG ELISA results obtained for the chimeric antigens were compared to those obtained for the use of Toxoplasma lysate antigen (TLA) and for a mixture of recombinant antigens containing rSAG2, rGRA1, and rROP1. The sensitivity of the IgG ELISA was similar for the SAG2-GRA1-ROP1L chimeric antigen (100 %), the mixture of three proteins (99.4 %) and the TLA (97.1 %), whereas the sensitivity of IgG ELISA with the SAG2-GRA1-ROP1S chimeric antigen was definitely lower, reaching 88.4 %. In conclusion, this study shows that SAG2-GRA1-ROP1L chimeric antigen can be useful for serodiagnosis of human toxoplasmosis with the use of the IgG ELISA assay. Therefore, the importance of proper selection of protein fragments for the construction of chimeric antigen with the highest reactivity in ELISA test is demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartłomiej Ferra
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
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16
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Ferra B, Holec-Gąsior L, Kur J. Serodiagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in farm animals (horses, swine, and sheep) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using chimeric antigens. Parasitol Int 2015; 64:288-94. [PMID: 25817245 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2015.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2014] [Revised: 03/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infects all warm-blooded animals including humans, causing serious public health problems and great economic loss in the animal husbandry. Commonly used serological tests for diagnosis of toxoplasmosis involve preparation of whole Toxoplasma lysate antigen (TLA) from tachyzoites. The production of this antigen is associated with high costs and lengthy preparation and the possibility of staff infection. There are also some difficulties in the standardization of such tests. One approach in order to improve the diagnosis of T. gondii infection is to use recombinant chimeric antigens in place of the TLA, which was confirmed by studies in the serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis in humans. In this paper, we assess, for the first time, the diagnostic utility of five T. gondii recombinant chimeric antigens (MIC1-MAG1-SAG1S, SAG1L-MIC1-MAG1, SAG2-GRA1-ROP1S, SAG2-GRA1-ROP1L, and GRA1-GRA2-GRA6) in immunoglobulin G (IgG) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (IgG ELISAs) with sera from three different groups of livestock animals (horses, pigs, and sheep). The reactivity of individual chimeric antigens was analyzed in relation to the results obtained in IgG ELISAs based on a mixture of three antigens (M1: rSAG1+rMIC1+rMAG1, M2: rSAG2+rGRA1+rROP1, and M3: rGRA1+rGRA2+rGRA6) and referenced to TLA. All chimeric antigens were characterized by high specificity (100%), and the sensitivity of the IgG ELISAs based on chimeric antigens was variable (between 28.4% and 100%) and mainly dependent on the animal species. The chimeric antigens were generally more reactive than mixtures of three antigens. The most effective for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis was SAG2-GRA1-ROP1L, which can detect specific anti-T. gondii antibodies in 100%, 93.8%, and 100% of positive serum samples from horses, pigs, and sheep, respectively. The present study shows that recombinant chimeric antigens can be successfully used to diagnose T. gondii infection in farm animals, and can replace the commonly used TLA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartłomiej Ferra
- Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12 Street, Gdańsk 80-233, Poland
| | - Lucyna Holec-Gąsior
- Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12 Street, Gdańsk 80-233, Poland
| | - Józef Kur
- Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12 Street, Gdańsk 80-233, Poland.
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17
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Yang Z, Ahn HJ, Nam HW. High expression of water-soluble recombinant antigenic domains of Toxoplasma gondii secretory organelles. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2014; 52:367-76. [PMID: 25246715 PMCID: PMC4170032 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2014.52.4.367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2014] [Revised: 06/10/2014] [Accepted: 06/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant antigenic proteins of Toxoplasma gondii are alternative source of antigens which are easily obtainable for serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis. In this study, highly antigenic secretory organellar proteins, dense granular GRA2 and GRA3, rhoptrial ROP2, and micronemal MIC2, were analyzed by bioinformatics approach to express as water-soluble forms of antigenic domains. The transmembrane region and disorder tendency of 4 secretory proteins were predicted to clone the genes into pGEX-4T-1 vector. Recombinant plasmids were transformed into BL21 (DE3) pLysS E. coli, and GST fusion proteins were expressed with IPTG. As a result, GST fusion proteins with GRA225-105, GRA339-138, ROP2324-561, and MIC21-284 domains had respectively higher value of IgG avidity. The rGST-GRA225-105 and rGST-GRA339-138 were soluble, while rGST-ROP2324-561 and rGST-MIC21-284 were not. GRA231-71, intrinsically unstructured domain (IUD) of GRA2, was used as a linker to enhance the solubility. The rGST-GRA231-71-ROP2324-561, a chimeric protein, appeared to be soluble. Moreover, rGST-GRA231-71-MIC21-284 was also soluble and had higher IgG avidity comparing to rGST-MIC21-284. These 4 highly expressed and water-soluble recombinant antigenic proteins may be promising candidates to improve the serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis in addition to the major surface antigen of SAG1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoshou Yang
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, Korea
| | - Hye-Jin Ahn
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, Korea
| | - Ho-Woo Nam
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, Korea
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Sun X, Lu H, Jia B, Chang Z, Peng S, Yin J, Chen Q, Jiang N. A comparative study of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in three healthy Chinese populations detected using native and recombinant antigens. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6:241. [PMID: 23958280 PMCID: PMC3751777 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2013] [Accepted: 08/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common parasitic zoonoses. The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in humans varies widely worldwide. Detection of Toxoplasma-specific antibodies has been a gold standard method for both epidemiological investigation and clinical diagnosis. Genetic investigation indicated that there is a wide distribution of different genome types or variants of the parasite prevalent in different areas. Thus the reliability of using antigens from parasites of a single genome type for diagnosis and epidemiology purposes needs to be extensively evaluated. METHODS In this study, the prevalence of T. gondii infection among 880 clinically healthy individuals in China was systematically tested using crude soluble native antigens and purified recombinant antigens of type I and II T. gondii. The T. gondii-specific IgG and IgM in the sera was further confirmed using commercial Toxoplasmosis Diagnosis Kits and Western blot assays. RESULTS The sero-prevalence of T. gondii-specific IgG detected with crude native Type I and type II antigens was 12.2% and 11.3% respectively. Whereas the overall prevalence was more than 20% when combined with the results obtained with recombinant tachyzoite and bradyzoite antigens. There was an obvious variation in immune-recognition of parasite antigens among the individuals studied. CONCLUSIONS The general prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG in the study population was likely much higher than previously reported. The data also suggested that there is more genetic diversity among the T. gondii isolates in China. Further, combination of recombinant antigens with clear immuno-recognition will be able to generate more sensitive diagnostic results than those obtained with crude antigens of T. gondii tachyzoites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Sun
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Xi'an Da Lu 5333, Changchun, China.
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