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Guo XD, Zhou CX, Cui LL, Qiu HJ, Wang YL, Fu M, Liu DA, Han B, Zhou HY, Zhou DH. Evaluation of protective immunity induced by a DNA vaccine encoding SAG2 and SRS2 against Toxoplasma gondii infection in mice. Acta Trop 2024; 257:107302. [PMID: 38959992 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an important protozoan pathogen, which can cause severe diseases in the newborns and immunocompromised individuals. Developing an effective vaccine against Toxoplasma infection is a critically important global health priority. Immunofluorescence staining analysis revealed that TgSAG2 and TgSRS2 are membrane associated and displayed on the surface of the parasite. Immunizations with pBud-SAG2, pBud-SRS2 and pBud-SAG2-SRS2 DNA vaccines significantly increased the production of specific IgG antibodies. Immunization with pBud-SAG2-SRS2 elicited cellular immune response with higher concentrations of IFN-γ and IL-4 compared to the control group. Antigen-specific lymphocyte proliferations in the pBud-SRS2 and pBud-SAG2-SRS2 groups were significantly higher compared to that in the control group. Furthermore, 30 % of mice immunized with pBud-SAG2-SRS2 survived after the challenge infection with virulent T. gondii RH tachyzoites. This study revealed that immunization with pBud-SAG2-SRS2 induced potent immune responses, and has the potential as a promising vaccine candidate for the control of T. gondii infection.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
- Vaccines, DNA/genetics
- Vaccines, DNA/administration & dosage
- Antigens, Protozoan/immunology
- Antigens, Protozoan/genetics
- Protozoan Proteins/immunology
- Protozoan Proteins/genetics
- Toxoplasma/immunology
- Toxoplasma/genetics
- Antibodies, Protozoan/blood
- Protozoan Vaccines/immunology
- Protozoan Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Protozoan Vaccines/genetics
- Mice
- Immunoglobulin G/blood
- Female
- Toxoplasmosis, Animal/prevention & control
- Toxoplasmosis, Animal/immunology
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Interferon-gamma/immunology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Cell Proliferation
- Interleukin-4/immunology
- Survival Analysis
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu-Dong Guo
- Key Laboratory of Fujian-Taiwan Animal Pathogen Biology, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian Province, PR China; Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Chun-Xue Zhou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, PR China.
| | - Lin-Lin Cui
- Key Laboratory of Fujian-Taiwan Animal Pathogen Biology, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian Province, PR China
| | - Hui-Jie Qiu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Yong-Liang Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Ming Fu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Dai-Ang Liu
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Bing Han
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Huai-Yu Zhou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Dong-Hui Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Fujian-Taiwan Animal Pathogen Biology, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian Province, PR China.
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Aljieli M, Rivière C, Lantier L, Moiré N, Lakhrif Z, Boussemart AF, Cnudde T, Lajoie L, Aubrey N, Ahmed EM, Dimier-Poisson I, Di-Tommaso A, Mévélec MN. Specific Cell Targeting by Toxoplasma gondii Displaying Functional Single-Chain Variable Fragment as a Novel Strategy; A Proof of Principle. Cells 2024; 13:975. [PMID: 38891106 PMCID: PMC11172386 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii holds significant therapeutic potential; however, its nonspecific invasiveness results in off-target effects. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether T. gondii specificity can be improved by surface display of scFv directed against dendritic cells' endocytic receptor, DEC205, and immune checkpoint PD-L1. Anti-DEC205 scFv was anchored to the T. gondii surface either directly via glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) or by fusion with the SAG1 protein. Both constructs were successfully expressed, but the binding results suggested that the anti-DEC-SAG1 scFv had more reliable functionality towards recombinant DEC protein and DEC205-expressing MutuDC cells. Two anti-PD-L1 scFv constructs were developed that differed in the localization of the HA tag. Both constructs were adequately expressed, but the localization of the HA tag determined the functionality by binding to PD-L1 protein. Co-incubation of T. gondii displaying anti-PD-L1 scFv with tumor cells expressing/displaying different levels of PD-L1 showed strong binding depending on the level of available biomarker. Neutralization assays confirmed that binding was due to the specific interaction between anti-PD-L1 scFv and its ligand. A mixed-cell assay showed that T. gondii expressing anti-PD-L1 scFv predominately targets the PD-L1-positive cells, with negligible off-target binding. The recombinant RH-PD-L1-C strain showed increased killing ability on PD-L1+ tumor cell lines compared to the parental strain. Moreover, a co-culture assay of target tumor cells and effector CD8+ T cells showed that our model could inhibit PD1/PD-L1 interaction and potentiate T-cell immune response. These findings highlight surface display of antibody fragments as a promising strategy of targeting replicative T. gondii strains while minimizing nonspecific binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muna Aljieli
- BioMAP, UMR ISP 1282 INRAE, Université de Tours, 37200 Tours, France; (M.A.); (C.R.); (L.L.); (N.M.); (Z.L.); (A.-F.B.); (L.L.); (N.A.); (I.D.-P.); (M.-N.M.)
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Wad Madani 21111, Sudan
| | - Clément Rivière
- BioMAP, UMR ISP 1282 INRAE, Université de Tours, 37200 Tours, France; (M.A.); (C.R.); (L.L.); (N.M.); (Z.L.); (A.-F.B.); (L.L.); (N.A.); (I.D.-P.); (M.-N.M.)
| | - Louis Lantier
- BioMAP, UMR ISP 1282 INRAE, Université de Tours, 37200 Tours, France; (M.A.); (C.R.); (L.L.); (N.M.); (Z.L.); (A.-F.B.); (L.L.); (N.A.); (I.D.-P.); (M.-N.M.)
| | - Nathalie Moiré
- BioMAP, UMR ISP 1282 INRAE, Université de Tours, 37200 Tours, France; (M.A.); (C.R.); (L.L.); (N.M.); (Z.L.); (A.-F.B.); (L.L.); (N.A.); (I.D.-P.); (M.-N.M.)
| | - Zineb Lakhrif
- BioMAP, UMR ISP 1282 INRAE, Université de Tours, 37200 Tours, France; (M.A.); (C.R.); (L.L.); (N.M.); (Z.L.); (A.-F.B.); (L.L.); (N.A.); (I.D.-P.); (M.-N.M.)
| | - Anne-France Boussemart
- BioMAP, UMR ISP 1282 INRAE, Université de Tours, 37200 Tours, France; (M.A.); (C.R.); (L.L.); (N.M.); (Z.L.); (A.-F.B.); (L.L.); (N.A.); (I.D.-P.); (M.-N.M.)
| | - Thomas Cnudde
- BioMAP, UMR ISP 1282 INRAE, Université de Tours, 37200 Tours, France; (M.A.); (C.R.); (L.L.); (N.M.); (Z.L.); (A.-F.B.); (L.L.); (N.A.); (I.D.-P.); (M.-N.M.)
| | - Laurie Lajoie
- BioMAP, UMR ISP 1282 INRAE, Université de Tours, 37200 Tours, France; (M.A.); (C.R.); (L.L.); (N.M.); (Z.L.); (A.-F.B.); (L.L.); (N.A.); (I.D.-P.); (M.-N.M.)
| | - Nicolas Aubrey
- BioMAP, UMR ISP 1282 INRAE, Université de Tours, 37200 Tours, France; (M.A.); (C.R.); (L.L.); (N.M.); (Z.L.); (A.-F.B.); (L.L.); (N.A.); (I.D.-P.); (M.-N.M.)
| | - Elhadi M. Ahmed
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Wad Madani 21111, Sudan
| | - Isabelle Dimier-Poisson
- BioMAP, UMR ISP 1282 INRAE, Université de Tours, 37200 Tours, France; (M.A.); (C.R.); (L.L.); (N.M.); (Z.L.); (A.-F.B.); (L.L.); (N.A.); (I.D.-P.); (M.-N.M.)
| | - Anne Di-Tommaso
- BioMAP, UMR ISP 1282 INRAE, Université de Tours, 37200 Tours, France; (M.A.); (C.R.); (L.L.); (N.M.); (Z.L.); (A.-F.B.); (L.L.); (N.A.); (I.D.-P.); (M.-N.M.)
| | - Marie-Noëlle Mévélec
- BioMAP, UMR ISP 1282 INRAE, Université de Tours, 37200 Tours, France; (M.A.); (C.R.); (L.L.); (N.M.); (Z.L.); (A.-F.B.); (L.L.); (N.A.); (I.D.-P.); (M.-N.M.)
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Li M, Sun X, Chen H, Li N, Feng Y, Xiao L, Guo Y. Stable expression of mucin glycoproteins GP40 and GP15 of Cryptosporidium parvum in Toxoplasma gondii. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:65. [PMID: 38360646 PMCID: PMC10870685 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06159-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptosporidium spp. are common protozoa causing diarrhea in humans and animals. There are currently only one FDA-approved drug and no vaccines for cryptosporidiosis, largely due to the limited knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in the invasion of the pathogens. Previous studies have shown that GP60, which is cleaved into GP40 and GP15 after expression, is an immunodominant mucin protein involved in the invasion of Cryptosporidium. The protein is highly O-glycosylated, and recombinant proteins expressed in prokaryotic systems are non-functional. Therefore, few studies have investigated the function of GP40 and GP15. METHODS To obtain recombinant GP40 with correct post-translational modifications, we used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to insert GP40 and GP15 into the UPRT locus of Toxoplasma gondii, allowing heterologous expression of Cryptosporidium proteins. In addition, the Twin-Strep tag was inserted after GP40 for efficient purification of GP40. RESULTS Western blotting and immunofluorescent microscopic analyses both indicated that GP40 and GP15 were stably expressed in T. gondii mutants. GP40 localized not only in the cytoplasm of tachyzoites but also in the parasitophorous vacuoles, while GP15 without the GPI anchor was expressed only in the cytoplasm. In addition, a large amount of recTgGP40 was purified using Strep-TactinXT supported by a visible band of ~ 50 kDa in SDS-PAGE. CONCLUSIONS The establishment of a robust and efficient heterologous expression system of GP40 in T. gondii represents a novel approach and concept for investigating Cryptosporidium mucins, overcoming the limitations of previous studies that relied on unstable transient transfection, which involved complex steps and high costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muxiao Li
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Xiaohua Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Haoyu Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Na Li
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Yaoyu Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Lihua Xiao
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Yaqiong Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
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Hildebrandt F, Mohammed M, Dziedziech A, Bhandage AK, Divne AM, Barrenäs F, Barragan A, Henriksson J, Ankarklev J. scDual-Seq of Toxoplasma gondii-infected mouse BMDCs reveals heterogeneity and differential infection dynamics. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1224591. [PMID: 37575232 PMCID: PMC10415529 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1224591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells and macrophages are integral parts of the innate immune system and gatekeepers against infection. The protozoan pathogen, Toxoplasma gondii, is known to hijack host immune cells and modulate their immune response, making it a compelling model to study host-pathogen interactions. Here we utilize single cell Dual RNA-seq to parse out heterogeneous transcription of mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) infected with two distinct genotypes of T. gondii parasites, over multiple time points post infection. We show that the BMDCs elicit differential responses towards T. gondii infection and that the two parasite lineages distinctly manipulate subpopulations of infected BMDCs. Co-expression networks define host and parasite genes, with implications for modulation of host immunity. Integrative analysis validates previously established immune pathways and additionally, suggests novel candidate genes involved in host-pathogen interactions. Altogether, this study provides a comprehensive resource for characterizing host-pathogen interplay at high-resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Hildebrandt
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mubasher Mohammed
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alexis Dziedziech
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Global Health, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Amol K. Bhandage
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna-Maria Divne
- Microbial Single Cell Genomics Facility, SciLifeLab, Biomedical Center (BMC) Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Barrenäs
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Antonio Barragan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Henriksson
- Laboratory of Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå Center for Microbial Research, Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Johan Ankarklev
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Microbial Single Cell Genomics Facility, SciLifeLab, Biomedical Center (BMC) Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Hosseininejad Z, Daryani A, Fasihi-Ramandi M, Asgarian-Omran H, Valadan R, Nayeri T, Dodangeh S, Sarvi S. In Silico Vaccine Design and Expression of the Multi-Component Protein Candidate against the Toxoplasma gondii Parasite from MIC13, GRA1, and SAG1 Antigens. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2023; 18:301-312. [PMID: 37886246 PMCID: PMC10597883 DOI: 10.18502/ijpa.v18i3.13753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Background We aimed to design a B and T cell recombinant protein vaccine of Toxoplasma gondii with in silico approach. MIC13 plays an important role in spreading the parasite in the host body. GRA1 causes the persistence of the parasite in the parasitophorous vacuole. SAG1 plays a role in host-cell adhesion and cell invasion. Methods Amino acid positions 73-272 from MIC13, 71-190 from GRA1, and 101-300 from SAG1 were selected and joined with linker A(EAAAK)A. The structures, antigenicity, allergenicity, physicochemical properties, as well as codon optimization and mRNA structure of this recombinant protein called MGS1, were predicted using bioinformatics servers. The designed structure was synthesized and then cloned in pET28a (+) plasmid and transformed into Escherichia coli BL21. Results The number of amino acids in this antigen was 555, and its antigenicity was estimated to be 0.6340. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting confirmed gene expression and successful production of the protein with a molecular weight of 59.56kDa. This protein will be used in our future studies as an anti-Toxoplasma vaccine candidate in animal models. Conclusion In silico methods are efficient for understanding information about proteins, selecting immunogenic epitopes, and finally producing recombinant proteins, as well as reducing the time and cost of vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Hosseininejad
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Disease Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Disease Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mahdi Fasihi-Ramandi
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Asgarian-Omran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Reza Valadan
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Tooran Nayeri
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Disease Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Samira Dodangeh
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Disease Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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Zhang X, Yuan H, Mahmmod YS, Yang Z, Zhao M, Song Y, Luo S, Zhang XX, Yuan ZG. Insight into the current Toxoplasma gondii DNA vaccine: a review article. Expert Rev Vaccines 2023; 22:66-89. [PMID: 36508550 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2023.2157818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Toxoplasma gondii (T.gondii) is a widespread protozoan with significant economic losses and public health importance. But so far, the protective effect of reported DNA-based vaccines fluctuates widely, and no study has demonstrated complete protection. AREAS COVERED This review provides an inclusive summary of T. gondii DNA vaccine antigens, adjuvants, and some other parameters. A total of 140 articles from 2000 to 2021 were collected from five databases. By contrasting the outcomes of acute and chronic challenges, we aimed to investigate and identify viable immunological strategies for optimum protection. Furthermore, we evaluated and discussed the impact of several parameters on challenge outcomes in the hopes of developing some recommendations to assist better future horizontal comparisons among research. EXPERT OPINION In the coming five years of research, the exploration of vaccine cocktails combining invasion antigens and metabolic antigens with genetic adjuvants or novel DNA delivery methods may offer us desirable protection against this multiple stage of life parasite. In addition to finding a better immune strategy, developing better in silico prediction methods, solving problems posed by variables in practical applications, and gaining a more profound knowledge of T.gondii-host molecular interaction is also crucial towards a successful vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xirui Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, 510642, Guangzhou, PR China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Hao Yuan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, 510642, Guangzhou, PR China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Yasser S Mahmmod
- Veterinary Sciences Division, Faculty of Health Sciences, Higher Colleges of Technology, 17155, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Zipeng Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, 510642, Guangzhou, PR China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Mengpo Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, 510642, Guangzhou, PR China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Yining Song
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, 510642, Guangzhou, PR China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Shengjun Luo
- Institute of Animal Health, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Xiu-Xiang Zhang
- College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, 510642, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Zi-Guo Yuan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, 510642, Guangzhou, PR China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, PR China
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Mamaghani AJ, Fathollahi A, Arab-Mazar Z, kohansal K, Fathollahi M, Spotin A, Bashiri H, Bozorgomid A. Toxoplasma gondii vaccine candidates: a concise review. Ir J Med Sci 2023; 192:231-261. [PMID: 35394635 PMCID: PMC8992420 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-022-02998-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. It has been shown that the severity of symptoms depends on the functioning of the host immune system. Although T. gondii infection typically does not lead to severe disease in healthy people and after infection, it induces a stable immunity, but it can contribute to severe and even lethal Toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised individuals (AIDS, bone marrow transplant and neoplasia). The antigens that have been proposed to be used in vaccine candidate in various studies include surface antigens and secretory excretions that have been synthesized and evaluated in different studies. In some studies, secretory antigens play an important role in stimulating the host immune response. Various antigens such as SAG, GRA, ROP, ROM, and MAG have been from different strains of T. gondii have been synthesized and their protective effects have been evaluated in animal models in different vaccine platforms including recombinant antigens, nanoparticles, and DNA vaccine. Four bibliographic databases including Science Direct, PubMed Central (PMC), Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched for articles published up to 2020.The current review article focuses on recent studies on the use and usefulness of recombinant antigens, nanoparticles, and DNA vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirreza Javadi Mamaghani
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Anwar Fathollahi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Arab-Mazar
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kobra kohansal
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Medicine, Jondishapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Matin Fathollahi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Adel Spotin
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Homayoon Bashiri
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Arezoo Bozorgomid
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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Jin GN, Lu JM, Lan HW, Lu YN, Shen XY, Xu X, Piao LX. Protective effect of ginsenoside Rh2 against Toxoplasma gondii infection-induced neuronal injury through binding TgCDPK1 and NLRP3 to inhibit microglial NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 112:109176. [PMID: 36067653 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a neurotropic obligate intracellular parasite that can activate microglial and promote neuronal apoptosis, leading to central nervous system diseases. The NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome signaling complex plays a key role in inducing neuroinflammation. Our previous studies have found that ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2) inhibits T. gondii infection-induced microglial activation and neuroinflammation by downregulating the Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway. However, whether GRh2 reduces T. gondii infection-induced neuronal injury through actions on microglial NLRP3 inflammasome signaling has not yet been clarified. METHODS In this study, we employed T. gondii RH strain to establish in vitro and in vivo infection models in BV2 microglia cell line and BALB/c mice. Molecular docking, localized surface plasmon resonance assay, quantitative competitive-PCR, ELISA, western blotting, flow cytometric analysis, and immunofluorescence were performed. RESULTS Our results showed that GRh2 alleviated neuropathological damage and neuronal apoptosis in cortical tissue of T. gondii-infected mice. GRh2 and CY-09 (an inhibitor of NLRP3) exhibited potent anti-T. gondii effects through binding T. gondii calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 (TgCDPK1). GRh2 decreased Iba-1 (a specific microglial marker) and NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway-related protein expression by binding NLRP3. Co-culture of microglia/primary cortical neurons revealed that T. gondii-induced microglial activation caused neuronal apoptosis, but GRh2 reduced this effect, consistent with the effects of CY-09. CONCLUSION Taken together, our results show that GRh2 has a protective effect against T. gondii infection-induced neuronal injury by binding TgCDPK1 and NLRP3 to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway in microglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Nan Jin
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin, China
| | - Jing-Mei Lu
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin, China
| | - Hui-Wen Lan
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin, China
| | - Yu-Nan Lu
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin, China
| | - Xin-Yu Shen
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin, China
| | - Xiang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin, China.
| | - Lian-Xun Piao
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin, China.
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Allahyari M. PLGA Nanoparticles as an Efficient Platform in Protein Vaccines Against Toxoplasma gondii. Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:582-591. [PMID: 35013939 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00499-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) as an obligatory intracellular is widespread all over the world and causes considerable concerns in immunocompromised patients by developing toxoplasmic encephalitis and in pregnancy because of serious consequences in the fetus. Although vaccination is the only approach to overcome toxoplasmosis, there is no commercially available human vaccine against T. gondii. PURPOSE The remarkable features of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) particles have brought up the application of PLGA as a promising vaccine delivery vehicle against T. gondii and other intracellular parasites. This review focuses on the application of the PLGA delivery system in the development of preventive vaccines against T. gondii. METHODS In this study, all required data were collected from articles indexed in English databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. RESULT Immunity against T. gondii, characteristics of PLGA particles as a delivery vehicle, and all researches on particulate PLGA vaccines with different T. gondii antigens and DNA against were discussed and their efficacies in conferring protection against a lethal challenge based on increased survival or reduced brain cyst loads have been shown. CONCLUSION Although various levels of protection against lethal challenge have been achieved through PLGA-based vaccinations, there is still no complete protection against T. gondii infection. Surprisingly, the application of surface modifications of PLGA particles by mucoadhesive polymers, cationic agents, DCs (dendritic cells) targeting receptors, specialized membranous epithelial cells (M-cells), and co-delivery of the desired antigen along with toll-like receptor ligands would be a revolutionized vaccine strategy against T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojgan Allahyari
- Recombinant Protein Production Department, Production and Research Complex, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Karaj, Iran.
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Khorshidvand Z, Khosravi A, Mahboobian MM, Larki-Harchegani A, Fallah M, Maghsood AH. Novel naltrexone hydrochloride nanovaccine based on chitosan nanoparticles promotes induction of Th1 and Th17 immune responses resulting in protection against Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites in a mouse model. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 208:962-972. [PMID: 35346684 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.03.146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
This study was aimed to encapsulate and construct the Toxoplasma gondii surface antigen (SAG1) and naltrexone hydrochloride (NLT-HCL) as an adjuvant within chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) to develop efficacious vaccine against T. gondii. Seven groups of BALB/c mice were immunized with SAG1, chitosan (CS), NLT-SAG1, CS-SAG1, CS-SAG1-NLT, CS-NLT and PBS. The efficiency of each approach was detected in vivo mouse immunization. Moreover, the immuno-induction effect of SAG1 recombinant protein and CS-NPs-based NLT-HCL as an adjuvant in a vaccine delivery was evaluated. Experimentally, Th1/Th17 biased cellular and humoral immune responses were activated in the mice immunized with CS-SAG1-NLT nanoparticles that were accompanied by considerable increased production of IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-12, IL-4, IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio, IgG, IgG2a. This group of mice also showed significantly increased survival time post-challenging. The successful encapsulated SAG1 recombinant protein and NLT-HCL, as an adjuvant, within CS-NPs can induce immune responses against toxoplasmosis. We could incorporate NLT-HCL adjuvant into the CS-NPs based delivery systems, which makes CS-NPs attractive as a colloidal carrier system for NLT-HCL as secondary adjuvant. This new approach or the simultaneous use of CS and NLT demonstrated that the co-administration of CS-NPs and NLT-HCL induce production of IL-17 cytokine. This approach can be used for vaccination purposes, in which Th17 and Th1 cellular immune are considered the key of the successful immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Khorshidvand
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Afra Khosravi
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Mahboobian
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
| | - Amir Larki-Harchegani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Fallah
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
| | - Amir Hossein Maghsood
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
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11
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Mining the Proteome of Toxoplasma Parasites Seeking Vaccine and Diagnostic Candidates. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12091098. [PMID: 35565525 PMCID: PMC9099775 DOI: 10.3390/ani12091098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The One Health concept to toxoplasmosis highlights that the health of humans is closely related to the health of animals and our common environment. Toxoplasmosis outcomes might be severe and fatal in patients with immunodeficiency, diabetes, and pregnant women and infants. Consequently, the development of effective vaccine and diagnostic strategies is urgent for the elimination of this disease. Proteomics analysis has allowed the identification of key proteins that can be utilized in the development of novel disease diagnostics and vaccines. This work presents relevant proteins found in the proteome of the life cycle-specific stages of Toxoplasma parasites. In fact, it brings together the main functionality key proteins from Toxoplasma parasites coming from proteomic approaches that are most likely to be useful in improving the disease management, and critically proposes innovative directions to finally develop promising vaccines and diagnostics tools. Abstract Toxoplasma gondii is a pathogenic protozoan parasite that infects the nucleated cells of warm-blooded hosts leading to an infectious zoonotic disease known as toxoplasmosis. The infection outcomes might be severe and fatal in patients with immunodeficiency, diabetes, and pregnant women and infants. The One Health approach to toxoplasmosis highlights that the health of humans is closely related to the health of animals and our common environment. The presence of drug resistance and side effects, the further improvement of sensitivity and specificity of serodiagnostic tools and the potentiality of vaccine candidates to induce the host immune response are considered as justifiable reasons for the identification of novel targets for the better management of toxoplasmosis. Thus, the identification of new critical proteins in the proteome of Toxoplasma parasites can also be helpful in designing and test more effective drugs, vaccines, and diagnostic tools. Accordingly, in this study we present important proteins found in the proteome of the life cycle-specific stages of Toxoplasma parasites that are potential diagnostic or vaccine candidates. The current study might help to understand the complexity of these parasites and provide a possible source of strategies and biomolecules that can be further evaluated in the pathobiology of Toxoplasma parasites and for diagnostics and vaccine trials against this disease.
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12
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Direct enzyme-linked aptamer assay (DELAA) for diagnosis of toxoplasmosis by detection of SAG1 protein in mice and humans. Acta Trop 2022; 226:106255. [PMID: 34843688 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled parasite commonly found in mammals and birds. Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis largely depends on measurements of the antibody and/or antigen and Toxoplasma DNAs due to the presence of tissue dwelling duplicating tachyzoites, or quiescent cysts in latent infection of the parasite. As a major surface antigen of T.gondii tachyzoites, SAG1 is a key molecule for laboratory diagnosis. However, there are no methods available yet for SAG1 detection using aptamer-based technology. Recombinant SAG1 (r-SAG1) of Toxoplasma WH3 strain (type Chinese 1) was expressed in E.coli and subjected to the synthetic oligonucleotide library for selection of nucleic acid aptamers which target the r-SAG1 antigen, with systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) strategy. The specific aptamers were screened out and used in direct enzyme-linked aptamer assay (DELAA) for detection of native SAG1 (n-SAG1) obtained from tachyzoite lysates, mouse sera of acute infection, and human sera that had been verified for Toxoplasma DNAs by PCR amplification. As results, the soluble r-SAG1 protein was obtained from E.coli lysates by purification and identification with immunoblotting, followed by biotinylation. The selected aptamers were amplified by PCR and DNA sequencing. The results showed that the aptamer-2, with the highest affinity to n-SAG1 in the sera of animals with minimal difference in the four aptamer candidates, has a high specificity and sensitivity when used in detection of n-SAG1 in the sera of humans when compared with the commercial kit of ELISA for T.gondii circulating antigen test. We concluded that a new direct enzyme-linked aptamer assay (DELAA) was developed for the detection of the n-SAG1 protein of T. gondii. With increased sensitivity and specificity, stability, easy and cheap preparation, the aptamer-based technology is considered an efficient method for the diagnosis of active as well as reactivated toxoplasmosis.
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Wu L, Yang H, Wang J, Yu X, He Y, Chen S. A Novel Combined DNA Vaccine Encoding Toxoplasma gondii SAG1 and ROP18 Provokes Protective Immunity Against a Lethal Challenge in Mice. Acta Parasitol 2021; 66:1387-1395. [PMID: 34019277 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00415-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Antigens expressed by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) during its life cycle trigger various immune responses in the host. Recently, toxoplasma vaccine research focused on T. gondii surface antigen 1 (SAG1) and Rhoptry Protein 18 (ROP18) to establish a safe and efficacious DNA vaccine. METHOD We constructed two eukaryotic expression plasmids: p3 × FLAG-Myc-CMV™-24-SAG1 and p3 × FLAG-Myc-CMV™-24-ROP18. BALB/c mice were randomly divided into six groups and immunized with these DNA vaccines either separately or in combination. The combination vaccine was administered at either the full dose or at half-strength dose. Control mice were immunized with empty vector or with phosphate-buffered saline. RESULTS The frequency of CD4+ cells in the spleen was consistent among all groups, whereas that of CD8+ T cells was the highest in the group immunized with the combination vaccine at half-strength dose (p < 0.05). Importantly, the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interferon-gamma (INF-γ) were closely correlated (r = 0.6, p < 0.0001) and both were upregulated in the group that was immunized with the combination vaccine at half-strength dose (p < 0.0001). The survival time of the mice subjected to a lethal dose of toxoplasma was significantly extended by prior immunization with DNA vaccines expressing either SAG1 or ROP18 or a combination of both (p < 0.05). The group that was immunized with the combination vaccine at half-strength dose demonstrated the best efficacy (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION These results showed that the combination DNA vaccine provided better immune protection than the single gene vaccines, and that optimizing the dosing of the vaccine can improve the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamei Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Anting Hospital, Jiading District, Shanghai, 201800, China
| | - Huijian Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Jianglin Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jiading District Central Hospital Affiliated Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Jiading District, Shanghai, 201800, China
| | - Xiuwen Yu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jiading District Central Hospital Affiliated Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Jiading District, Shanghai, 201800, China
| | - Yanhong He
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Anting Hospital, Jiading District, Shanghai, 201800, China.
| | - Shenxia Chen
- Department of Microbiology, Medical College of Jiangsu University, ZhenJiang, 212013, China.
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Allahyari M, Golkar M, Fard-Esfahani P, Dimier-Poisson I, Mévélec MN. Co-delivery of PLGA nanoparticles loaded with rSAG1 antigen and TLR ligands: An efficient vaccine against chronic toxoplasmosis. Microb Pathog 2021; 162:105312. [PMID: 34826553 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.105312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Although vaccination is a promising approach for the control of toxoplasmosis, there is currently no commercially available human vaccine. Adjuvants such as delivery vehicles and immunomodulators are critical components of vaccine formulations. In this study, Poly (D, l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles were applied to serve as delivery system for both surface antigen-1 (SAG1), a candidate vaccine against toxoplasmosis and two TLR ligands, monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) and imiquimod (IMQ), respectively. Compared to rSAG1 alone, CBA/J mice immunized with rSAG1-PLGA produced higher anti-SAG1 IgG antibodies titers. This response was increased by the co-administration of IMQ-PLGA (p < 0.01). Compared to IMQ-PLGA co-administration, MPL-PLGA co-administration further increased the humoral response (p < 0.01) and potentiated the Th1 humoral response. Compared to rSAG1 alone, rSAG1-PLGA, or rSAG1-PLGA mixed with IMQ-PLGA or MPL-PLGA similarly enhanced the cellular response characterized by the production of IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α and low levels of IL-5, indicating a Th1-biased immunity. The induced immune responses, led to significant brain cyst reductions (p < 0.01) after oral challenge with T. gondii cysts in mice immunized with either rSAG1-PLGA, rSAG1-PLGA + IMQ-PLGA, rSAG1-PLGA + MPL-PLGA formulations. Taken together the results indicated that PLGA nanoparticles could serve as a platform for dual-delivery of antigens and immunomodulators to provide efficacious vaccines against toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojgan Allahyari
- Recombinant Protein Production Department, Research and Production Complex, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Karaj, Iran.
| | - Majid Golkar
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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Lu JM, Jin GN, Lu YN, Zhao XD, Lan HW, Mu SR, Shen XY, Xu GH, Jin CH, Ma J, Jin X, Xu X, Piao LX. Resveratrol modulates Toxoplasma gondii infection induced liver injury by intervening in the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 910:174497. [PMID: 34508751 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligate intracellular parasite that can cause liver diseases in the host, including hepatitis and hepatomegaly. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is the main inflammatory mediator causing cell injury or necrosis. HMGB1 binds to toll like receptor 4 (TLR4), then activates the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway, which promotes the release of inflammatory factors. Our previous studies showed that HMGB1 mediated TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway plays an important role in liver injury induced by T. gondii infection. Resveratrol (RSV) is a small polyphenol, which has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-T. gondii effect. However, the effect of RSV on liver injury caused by T. gondii infection is unclear. This study used the RH strain tachyzoites of T. gondii to infect murine liver line, NCTC-1469 cells to establish an in vitro model and acute infection of mice for the in vivo model to explore the protective effect of RSV on liver injury induced by T. gondii infection. The results showed that RSV inhibited the proliferation of T. gondii in the liver, reduced the alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase levels and pathological liver damage. Additionally, RSV inhibited the production of tumor necrosis factor-α, inducible nitric oxide synthase and HMGB1 by interfering with the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. These results indicate that RSV can protect liver injury caused by T. gondii infection by intervening in the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. This study will provide a theoretical basis for RSV treatment of T. gondii infection induced liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Mei Lu
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin, China
| | - Guang-Nan Jin
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin, China
| | - Yu-Nan Lu
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin, China
| | - Xu-Dong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin, China
| | - Hui-Wen Lan
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin, China
| | - Shuai-Ru Mu
- College of Integration Science, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin Province, China
| | - Xin-Yu Shen
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin, China
| | - Guang-Hua Xu
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin, China
| | - Cheng-Hua Jin
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin, China
| | - Juan Ma
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin, China
| | - Xuejun Jin
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin, China.
| | - Xiang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin, China.
| | - Lian-Xun Piao
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin, China; College of Integration Science, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, Jilin Province, China.
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Ekawasti F, Cahyaningsih U, Dharmayanti NLPI, Sa'diah S, Subekti DT, Azmi Z, Desem MI. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of genes of virulent strain isolate of Toxoplasma gondii using enzyme DdeI. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ONE HEALTH 2021. [DOI: 10.14202/ijoh.2021.196-203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Toxoplasma gondii is a unicellular coccidian parasite distributed globally and is an important zoonotic pathogen. Approximately 30% of the human population worldwide is chronically infected with T. gondii. The pathogenicity of this species depends on the type originating from the clonal population. Techniques for more accurately determining the type of T. gondii have recently been developed using genetic markers. Specifically, T. gondii has been typed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). This study aimed to identify sets of PCR-RFLP markers that have high power to discriminate genotyping of T. gondii and are easy to use and are easy to use. The objective of this study was to characterize virulent strain isolates of T. gondii by PCR-RFLP using 10 markers with DdeI.
Materials and Methods: T. gondii tachyzoites (RH virulent strain) were derived from culture cells at the Indonesian Research Center for Veterinary Sciences. Genotyping was performed on T. gondii DNA extracted from cell cultured tachyzoites using 10 genetic markers of PCR-RFLP, namely, B1#1, B1#2, B1#3, SAG1#1, SAG1#2, P30, BAG1, ROP1, GRA1, and GRA7, with digestion using the restriction enzyme DdeI.
Results: The 10 genes were amplified by PCR. Among them, three genetic markers, B1#3, ROP1, and GRA1, were genotyped by the PCR-RFLP using restriction enzyme DdeI. Overall, the findings showed that the specific RFLP profile of digestion of gene regions by DdeI could be used as a specific marker for the virulent biotype causative of toxoplasmosis. In addition, virulent strains of T. gondii can be easily detected by these markers.
Conclusion: Three pairs of primers (B1#3, ROP1, and GRA1) with DdeI have proven useful for the diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis (virulent strain biotype I). This proposed method is relatively simple, rapid, cheap, and can be performed in most laboratories, providing a practical approach for the routine analysis of T. gondii strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fitrine Ekawasti
- Indonesian Research Center for Veterinary Sciences, Indonesia Agency Agriculture Research and Development, Agricultural of Ministry, Bogor, 16167, Indonesia; Department of Animal Infectious Diseases and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, IPB University, Bogor, 16680, Indonesia
| | - Umi Cahyaningsih
- Department of Animal Infectious Diseases and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, IPB University, Bogor, 16680, Indonesia
| | - N. L. P. Indi Dharmayanti
- Indonesian Research Center for Veterinary Sciences, Indonesia Agency Agriculture Research and Development, Agricultural of Ministry, Bogor, 16167, Indonesia
| | - Siti Sa'diah
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, IPB University, Bogor, 16680, Indonesia
| | - Didik Tulus Subekti
- Indonesian Research Center for Veterinary Sciences, Indonesia Agency Agriculture Research and Development, Agricultural of Ministry, Bogor, 16167, Indonesia
| | - Zul Azmi
- Indonesian Research Center for Veterinary Sciences, Indonesia Agency Agriculture Research and Development, Agricultural of Ministry, Bogor, 16167, Indonesia
| | - Muhammad Ibrahim Desem
- Indonesian Research Center for Veterinary Sciences, Indonesia Agency Agriculture Research and Development, Agricultural of Ministry, Bogor, 16167, Indonesia
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Sánchez-López EF, Corigliano MG, Oliferuk S, Ramos-Duarte VA, Rivera M, Mendoza-Morales LF, Angel SO, Sander VA, Clemente M. Oral Immunization With a Plant HSP90-SAG1 Fusion Protein Produced in Tobacco Elicits Strong Immune Responses and Reduces Cyst Number and Clinical Signs of Toxoplasmosis in Mice. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:726910. [PMID: 34675949 PMCID: PMC8525317 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.726910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Plant 90kDa heat shock protein (HSP90) is a potent adjuvant that increases both humoral and cellular immune responses to diverse proteins and peptides. In this study, we explored whether Arabidopsis thaliana HSP90 (AtHsp81.2) can improve the immune effects of a Toxoplasma gondii surface antigen 1 (SAG1). We designed two constructs containing the sequence of mature antigen (SAG1m), from aa77 to aa322, and B- and T-cell antigenic epitope-containing SAG1HC, from aa221 to aa319 fused to AtHsp81.2 sequence. When comparing the transient expression in Nicotiana tabacum X-27-8 leaves, which overexpress the suppressor helper component protease HC-Pro-tobacco etch virus (TEV), to that in N. benthamiana leaves, co-agroinfiltrated with the suppressor p19, optimal conditions included 6-week-old N. benthamiana plants, 7-day time to harvest, Agrobacterium tumefaciens cultures with an OD600nm of 0.6 for binary vectors and LED lights. While AtHsp81.2-SAG1m fusion protein was undetectable by Western blot in any of the evaluated conditions, AtHsp81.2-SAG1HC was expressed as intact fusion protein, yielding up to 90μg/g of fresh weight. Besides, the AtHsp81.2-SAG1HC mRNA was strongly expressed compared to the endogenous Nicotiana tabacum elongation factor-alpha (NtEFα) gene, whereas the AtHsp81.2-SAG1m mRNA was almost undetectable. Finally, mice were orally immunized with AtHsp81.2-SAG1HC-infiltrated fresh leaves (plAtHsp81.2-SAG1HC group), recombinant AtHsp81.2-SAG1HC purified from infiltrated leaves (rAtHsp81.2-SAG1HC group), non-infiltrated fresh leaves (control group), or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS group). Serum samples from plAtHsp81.2-SAG1HC-immunized mice had significantly higher levels of IgGt, IgG2a, and IgG2b anti-SAG1HC antibodies than serum from rAtHsp81.2-SAG1HC, control, and PBS groups. The number of cysts per brain in the plAtHsp81.2-SAG1HC-immunized mice was significantly reduced, and the parasite load in brain tissue was also lower in this group compared with the remaining groups. In an immunoblot assay, plant-expressed AtHsp81.2-SAG1HC was shown to react with antibodies present in sera from T. gondii-infected people. Therefore, the plant expression of a T. gondii antigen fused to the non-pathogenic adjuvant and carrier plant HSP90 as formulations against T. gondii can improve the vaccine efficacy, and plant extract can be directly used for vaccination without the need to purify the protein, making this platform a suitable and powerful biotechnological system for immunogenic antigen expression against toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin F. Sánchez-López
- Laboratorio de Molecular Farming y Vacunas, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), Universidad Nacional de General San Martín (UNSAM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Mariana G. Corigliano
- Laboratorio de Molecular Farming y Vacunas, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), Universidad Nacional de General San Martín (UNSAM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Sonia Oliferuk
- Laboratorio de Molecular Farming y Vacunas, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), Universidad Nacional de General San Martín (UNSAM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Victor A. Ramos-Duarte
- Laboratorio de Molecular Farming y Vacunas, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), Universidad Nacional de General San Martín (UNSAM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Maximiliano Rivera
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), Universidad Nacional de General San Martín (UNSAM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Luisa F. Mendoza-Morales
- Laboratorio de Molecular Farming y Vacunas, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), Universidad Nacional de General San Martín (UNSAM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Sergio O. Angel
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), Universidad Nacional de General San Martín (UNSAM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Valeria A. Sander
- Laboratorio de Molecular Farming y Vacunas, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), Universidad Nacional de General San Martín (UNSAM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Marina Clemente
- Laboratorio de Molecular Farming y Vacunas, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), Universidad Nacional de General San Martín (UNSAM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Chascomús, Argentina
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18
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Kalef DA. Leishmania mexicana recombinant filamentous acid phosphatase as carrier for Toxoplasma gondii surface antigen 1 expression in Leishmania tarentolae. J Parasit Dis 2021; 45:1135-1144. [PMID: 34177154 PMCID: PMC8211313 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-021-01413-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmania tarentolae has been used to produce recombinant intracellular and secreted proteins for their easy handling and posttranslational modifications. Filamentous acid phosphatase is a multimeric protein complex composed of many subunits assembled in a linear highly glycosylated filament, which is secreted in vast amounts into the culture supernatant via the flagellar pocket of Leishmania mexicana promastigotes. This suggested that the protein could be used as a carrier for the Surface Antigen1 protein of a Toxoplasma gondii (SAG1) for easy purification to generate a protein with multiple SAG1 subunits suitable for immunisation. SAG1 has an immunodominant structure that is involved in binding to host cells. Previous studies used this surface protein for vaccination for its immunological importance for triggering a type 1 immune response in the host. This study aims to determine the production of recombinant filamentous protein carried subunits of the surface protein of Toxoplasma gondii for vaccination purposes. Leishmania codon-optimised SAG1 was cloned as a fusion construct into pLEXSY-ble2.1 plasmid and introduced into Leishmania tarentolae to generate recombinant cell lines expressing a filamentous fusion protein called SAP2SAG1. PCR confirmed the correct integration into the small ribosomal subunit RNA gene locus of Leishmania tarentolae. Immunofluorescences and Immunoblot analyses were used to detect the fusion protein in the sediment of culture supernatants of recombinant L. tarentolae promastigotes after purification by ultracentrifugation. The yield of purified protein was low that suggested further investigations of other methods for scaling large production of secreted protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalia Ahmed Kalef
- Department of Parasitology, University of Baghdad, Baghdad city, Iraq
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19
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Liyanage KLDTD, Wiethoelter A, Hufschmid J, Jabbar A. Descriptive Comparison of ELISAs for the Detection of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Animals: A Systematic Review. Pathogens 2021; 10:605. [PMID: 34063342 PMCID: PMC8157005 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10050605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is the zoonotic parasite responsible for toxoplasmosis in warm-blooded vertebrates. This systematic review compares and evaluates the available knowledge on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), their components, and performance in detecting T. gondii antibodies in animals. Four databases were searched for published scientific studies on T. gondii and ELISA, and 57 articles were included. Overall, indirect (95%) and in-house (67%) ELISAs were the most used types of test among the studies examined, but the 'ID Screen® Toxoplasmosis Indirect Multi-species' was common among commercially available tests. Varying diagnostic performance (sensitivity and specificity) and Kappa agreements were observed depending on the type of sample (serum, meat juice, milk), antigen (native, recombinant, chimeric) and antibody-binding reagents used. Combinations of recombinant and chimeric antigens resulted in better performance than native or single recombinant antigens. Protein A/G appeared to be useful in detecting IgG antibodies in a wide range of animal species due to its non-species-specific binding. One study reported cross-reactivity, with Hammondia hammondi and Eimeria spp. This is the first systematic review to descriptively compare ELISAs for the detection of T. gondii antibodies across different animal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. L. D. Tharaka D. Liyanage
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC 3030, Australia; (A.W.); (J.H.); (A.J.)
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20
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Immunogenicity of in-silico designed multi-epitope DNA vaccine encoding SAG1, SAG3 and SAG5 of Toxoplasma gondii adjuvanted with CpG-ODN against acute toxoplasmosis in BALB/c mice. Acta Trop 2021; 216:105836. [PMID: 33485872 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.105836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The causative agent of toxoplasmosis, Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), is able to influence the health of humans and other vertebrates. Toxoplasma may cause severe illness in the fetus and immunocompromised individuals. The high incidence and intense damages of Toxoplasma infection clearly shows the need to achieve the safe and suitable vaccine. In this study, an immunoinformatics approach was employed to design a multi-epitope DNA vaccine encoding the T. gondii SAG1, SAG3 and SAG5. The bioinformatic outputs supported the immunogenic and non-allergic natures of multi-epitope vaccine. Thereafter, the protective efficacy of the vaccine was evaluated with/without CpG-ODN adjuvant in a laboratory animal model. BALB/c mice were immunized subcutaneously with multi-epitope DNA vaccine. The in vivo findings indicated that the multi-epitope DNA vaccine elicited significant production of IgG antibodies (472.90 ± 2.74 ng/ml) as well as IFN-γ (173.71 ± 26.39 pg/ml) (p < 0.001). Moreover, a significant reduced parasite-burden (17,470 per mg of spleen) and prolonged survival time (9 days) were observed in the immunized groups compared to the controls (p < 0.05). The low values of IL-4 (22.5 ± 0.16 pg/ml) were detected in vaccinated mice compared to the control (PBS) (p > 0.05). In addition, CpG-ODN as an adjuvant increased the immune efficacy of the multi-epitope DNA vaccine. In multi-epitope vaccine+CpG-ODN group, the values of IgG antibodies (535.90 ±7.29 ng/ml) and IFN-γ (358.21 ± 32.70 pg/ml) were significanly higher than the multi-epitope vaccine group. Meanwhile, an increased survival time (10 days) and fewer parasite load (15,485 per mg of spleen) were observed in multi-epitope vaccine+CpG-ODN group. The results revealed that the DNA vaccine containing epitopes of SAG1, SAG3 and SAG5 adjuvanted with CpG-ODN might be a new model for further investigations against acute T. gondii infection.
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21
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Steinberg HE, Bowman NM, Diestra A, Ferradas C, Russo P, Clark DE, Zhu D, Magni R, Malaga E, Diaz M, Pinedo-Cancino V, Ramal Asayag C, Calderón M, Carruthers VB, Liotta LA, Gilman RH, Luchini A. Detection of toxoplasmic encephalitis in HIV positive patients in urine with hydrogel nanoparticles. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009199. [PMID: 33651824 PMCID: PMC7954332 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diagnosis of toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE) is challenging under the best clinical circumstances. The poor clinical sensitivity of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for Toxoplasma in blood and CSF and the limited availability of molecular diagnostics and imaging technology leaves clinicians in resource-limited settings with few options other than empiric treatment. METHOLOGY/PRINCIPLE FINDINGS Here we describe proof of concept for a novel urine diagnostics for TE using Poly-N-Isopropylacrylamide nanoparticles dyed with Reactive Blue-221 to concentrate antigens, substantially increasing the limit of detection. After nanoparticle-concentration, a standard western blotting technique with a monoclonal antibody was used for antigen detection. Limit of detection was 7.8pg/ml and 31.3pg/ml of T. gondii antigens GRA1 and SAG1, respectively. To characterize this diagnostic approach, 164 hospitalized HIV-infected patients with neurological symptoms compatible with TE were tested for 1) T. gondii serology (121/147, positive samples/total samples tested), 2) qPCR in cerebrospinal fluid (11/41), 3) qPCR in blood (10/112), and 4) urinary GRA1 (30/164) and SAG1 (12/164). GRA1 appears to be superior to SAG1 for detection of TE antigens in urine. Fifty-one HIV-infected, T. gondii seropositive but asymptomatic persons all tested negative by nanoparticle western blot and blood qPCR, suggesting the test has good specificity for TE for both GRA1 and SAG1. In a subgroup of 44 patients, urine samples were assayed with mass spectrometry parallel-reaction-monitoring (PRM) for the presence of T. gondii antigens. PRM identified antigens in 8 samples, 6 of which were concordant with the urine diagnostic. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCES Our results demonstrate nanoparticle technology's potential for a noninvasive diagnostic test for TE. Moving forward, GRA1 is a promising target for antigen based diagnostics for TE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E. Steinberg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Natalie M. Bowman
- Division of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Andrea Diestra
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Cusi Ferradas
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Paul Russo
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Daniel E. Clark
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Deanna Zhu
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Ruben Magni
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Edith Malaga
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Monica Diaz
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Viviana Pinedo-Cancino
- Laboratorio de Investigación de Productos Naturales Antiparasitarios de la Amazonía, Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Peru
| | - Cesar Ramal Asayag
- Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana, Iquitos, Peru
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Regional de Loreto, Iquitos, Peru
| | - Maritza Calderón
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Vern B. Carruthers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Lance A. Liotta
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Robert H. Gilman
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Alessandra Luchini
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Virginia, United States of America
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22
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Cruz-Mirón R, Ramírez-Flores CJ, Lagunas-Cortés N, Mondragón-Castelán M, Ríos-Castro E, González-Pozos S, Aguirre-García MM, Mondragón-Flores R. Proteomic characterization of the pellicle of Toxoplasma gondii. J Proteomics 2021; 237:104146. [PMID: 33588107 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2021.104146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most successful intracellular parasites in the world. The dynamic, adhesion, invasion, and even replication capabilities of Toxoplasma are based on dynamic machinery located in the pellicle, a three membrane complex that surrounds the parasite. Among the proteins that carry out these processes are inner membrane complex (IMC) proteins, gliding-associated proteins (GAP), diverse myosins, actin, tubulin, and SRS proteins. Despite the importance of the pellicle, the knowledge of its composition is limited. Broad protein identification from an enriched pellicle fraction was obtained by independent digestion with trypsin and chymotrypsin and quantified by mass spectrometry. By trypsin digestion, 548 proteins were identified, while by chymotrypsin digestion, additional 22 proteins were identified. Besides, a group of "sequences related to SAG1" proteins (SRS) were detected together with unidentified new proteins. From identified SRS proteins, SRS51 was chosen for analysis and modeling as its similarities with crystallized adhesion proteins, exhibiting the presence of a spatial groove that is apparently involved in adhesion and cell invasion. As SRS proteins have been reported to be involved in the activation of the host's immune response, further studies could consider them as targets in the design of vaccines or of drugs against Toxoplasma. SIGNIFICANCE: To date, the proteomic composition of the pellicle of Toxoplasma is unknown. Most proteins reported in Toxoplasma pellicle have been poorly studied, and many others remain unidentified. Herein, a group of new SRS proteins is described. Some SRS proteins previously described from pellicle fraction have adhesion properties to the host cell membrane, so their study would provide data related to invasion mechanism and to open possibilities for considering them as targets in the design of immunoprotective strategies or the design of new pharmacological treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalba Cruz-Mirón
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. IPN No. 2508, Ciudad de México C.P. 07360, Mexico
| | - Carlos J Ramírez-Flores
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. IPN No. 2508, Ciudad de México C.P. 07360, Mexico; Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Noé Lagunas-Cortés
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. IPN No. 2508, Ciudad de México C.P. 07360, Mexico
| | - Mónica Mondragón-Castelán
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. IPN No. 2508, Ciudad de México C.P. 07360, Mexico
| | | | | | - M Magdalena Aguirre-García
- Unidad de Investigación UNAM-INC, División de Investigación, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Ricardo Mondragón-Flores
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. IPN No. 2508, Ciudad de México C.P. 07360, Mexico.
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23
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Shedding light on biochemical features and potential immunogenic epitopes of Neospora caninum SAG1: In silico study. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2021.100785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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24
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Cakir-Koc R, Budama-Kilinc Y, Ustun E, Babur C. Conjugation and Characterization of Latex Particles with Toxoplasma gondii-specific Immunoglobulin Y Antibodies for Diagnostic Aim and Evaluation Efficiency in In Vitro Culture. J Equine Vet Sci 2020; 92:103145. [PMID: 32797775 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Revised: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that causes severe health problems in the world. Toxoplasmosis, an infection caused by T. gondii, leads to high risk of mortality in patients with immunodeficiency, transplantation, and cancer. Besides that, it causes miscarriages in pregnancy, various abnormalities such as hydrocephalus in infants and congenital diseases. Because the clinical indication of the disease is not specific, it is confused with many diseases, and this leads to the necessity of directly detecting the presence of the toxoplasmosis. Therefore, various diagnostic assays are needed for the diagnosis of the disease. Amongs them, latex agglutination assay is widely used for the detection of specific antibodies or antigens in samples. Latex particles are coated with immunogenic molecules (antigens) to detect antibodies in the blood or used to identify antigens when coated with specific antibodies. In both, aggregation of latex particles results in agglutination. Monoclonal antibodies are often used in latex agglutination assay as in other diagnostic methods. However, monoclonal antibodies can be produced in low quantities at a high cost. Besides, to produce monoclonal antibodies, an experienced staff, a well-equipped cell culture laboratory, a long period of time, and a burdened budget are needed. In recent years, as an alternative to monoclonal antibodies, immunoglobulin Y (IgY) antibodies, which are obtained from chicken eggs, and specifically produced against desired antigenic constructs, have become quite attractive in terms of both low cost and abundant production without requiring infrastructure. In contrast, the latex assay based on IgY antibodies for use in the diagnosis of T. gondii has not been developed. This study aimed to conjugate T. gondii-specific IgY antibodies to latex particles, characterize the particles by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and spectroscopic methods, and finally demonstrate the interaction with T.gondii parasites in culture with scanning electron microscopy analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabia Cakir-Koc
- Department of Bioengineering, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | | | - Eslin Ustun
- Department of Bioengineering, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Cahit Babur
- Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health, Public Health General Directorate, Microbiology Reference Laboratory And Biological Products Presidency, National Parasitology Laboratory, Ankara, Turkey
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25
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Allahyari M, Mohabati R, Vatanara A, Golkar M. In-vitro and in-vivo comparison of rSAG1-loaded PLGA prepared by encapsulation and adsorption methods as an efficient vaccine against Toxoplasma gondii”. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2019.101327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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26
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Javadi Mamaghani A, Seyyed Tabaei SJ, Ranjbar MM, Haghighi A, Spotin A, Ataee Dizaji P, Rezaee H. Designing Diagnostic Kit for Toxoplasma gondii Based on GRA7, SAG1, and ROP1 Antigens: An In Silico Strategy. Int J Pept Res Ther 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-020-10021-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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27
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Pagheh AS, Sarvi S, Sharif M, Rezaei F, Ahmadpour E, Dodangeh S, Omidian Z, Hassannia H, Mehrzadi S, Daryani A. Toxoplasma gondii surface antigen 1 (SAG1) as a potential candidate to develop vaccine against toxoplasmosis: A systematic review. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 69:101414. [PMID: 31958746 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite that infects a broad range of animal species and humans. As the main surface antigen of the tachyzoite, SAG1 is involved in the process of recognition, adhesion and invasion of host cells. The aim of the current systematic review study is to clarify the latest status of studies in the literature regarding SAG1-associated recombinant proteins or SAG1-associated recombinant DNAs as potential vaccines against toxoplasmosis. Data were systematically collected from six databases including PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, Google Scholar, EBSCO and Scopus, up to 1st of January 2019. A total of 87 articles were eligible for inclusion criteria in the current systematic review. The most common antigens used for experimental cocktail vaccines together with SAG1 were ROP2 and SAG2. In addition, the most parasite strains used were RH and ME49. Freund's adjuvant and cholera toxin have been predominantly utilized. Furthermore, regarding the animal models, route and dose of vaccination, challenge methods, measurement of immune responses and cyst burden have been discussed in the text. Most of these experimental vaccines induce immune responses and have a high degree of protection against parasite infections, increase survival rates and duration and reduce cyst burdens. The data demonstrated that SAG1 antigen has a high potential for use as a vaccine and provided a promising approach for protecting humans and animals against toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdol Sattar Pagheh
- Infectious Disease Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mehdi Sharif
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Sari Branch, Islamic AZAD University, Sari, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rezaei
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ehsan Ahmadpour
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Samira Dodangeh
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Zahra Omidian
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Hadi Hassannia
- Immunonogenetics Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Saeed Mehrzadi
- Razi Drug Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran..
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28
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Decker Franco C, Wieser SN, Soria M, de Alba P, Florin-Christensen M, Schnittger L. In silico identification of immunotherapeutic and diagnostic targets in the glycosylphosphatidylinositol metabolism of the coccidian Sarcocystis aucheniae. Transbound Emerg Dis 2019; 67 Suppl 2:165-174. [PMID: 31880101 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Meat of the South American camelids (SACs) llama and alpaca is an important source of animal protein and income for rural families in the Andes, and a product with significant growth potential for local and international markets. However, infestation with macroscopic cysts of the coccidian protozoon Sarcocystis aucheniae, a parasitosis known as SAC sarcocystosis, significantly hampers its commercialization. There are no validated methods to diagnose the presence of S. aucheniae cysts other than carcass examination. Moreover, there are no available drugs or vaccines to cure or prevent SAC sarcocystosis. Identification of relevant molecules that act at the host-pathogen interface can significantly contribute to the control of this disease. It has been shown for other pathogenic protozoa that glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) is a critical molecule implicated in parasite survival and pathogenicity. This study focused on the identification of the enzymes that participate in the S. aucheniae GPI biosynthetic pathway and the repertoire of the parasite GPI-anchored proteins (GPI-APs). To this aim, RNA was extracted from parasite cysts and the transcriptome was sequenced and translated into amino acid sequences. The generated database was mined using sequences of well-characterized GPI biosynthetic enzymes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Toxoplasma gondii. Eleven enzymes predicted to participate in the S. aucheniae GPI biosynthetic pathway were identified. On the other hand, the database was searched for proteins carrying an N-terminal signal peptide and a single C-terminal transmembrane region containing a GPI anchor signal. Twenty-four GPI-anchored peptides were identified, of which nine are likely S. aucheniae-specific, and 15 are homologous to membrane proteins of other coccidians. Among the latter, 13 belong to the SRS domain superfamily, an extensive group of coccidian GPI-anchored proteins that mediate parasite interaction with their host. Phylogenetic analysis showed a great degree of intra- and inter-specific divergence among SRS family proteins. In vitro and in vivo experiments are needed to validate S. aucheniae GPI biosynthetic enzymes and GPI-APs as drug targets and/or as vaccine or diagnostic antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Decker Franco
- Instituto de Patobiología Veterinaria, CICVyA, INTA-Castelar, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sarah N Wieser
- Instituto de Patobiología Veterinaria, CICVyA, INTA-Castelar, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Soria
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Microbiología Agrícola, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paloma de Alba
- Instituto de Patobiología Veterinaria, CICVyA, INTA-Castelar, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mónica Florin-Christensen
- Instituto de Patobiología Veterinaria, CICVyA, INTA-Castelar, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Leonhard Schnittger
- Instituto de Patobiología Veterinaria, CICVyA, INTA-Castelar, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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29
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Abasi E, Shahabi S, Golkar M, Khezri P, Mohammadzadeh Hajipirloo H. Evaluation of Immunogenic Effect of Toxoplasma gondii Recombinant SAG-1 Antigen with Propranolol as Adjuvant in BALB/c Mice. Adv Pharm Bull 2019; 9:632-639. [PMID: 31857968 PMCID: PMC6912185 DOI: 10.15171/apb.2019.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Propranolol as a novel adjuvant, was used to evaluate the immunogenic effect of three doses of recombinant SAG-1 (rSAG-1) antigen of Toxoplasma gondii in BALB/c mice for finding the optimal dose, and was compared with efficacy of tachyzoite lysate antigen (TLA). Methods: Eight different groups of 15 BALB/c mice received different volumes of the immunogenic material (three doses of r SAG-1 and one dose of TLA antigens), with or without propranolol adjuvant, subcutaneously. The control group mice received only PBS. Three weeks after the last immunization, the serum levels of IgG2a, IgG1 and IgG total antibodies against TLA, splenic interleukin-5 (IL-5) and Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) (produced against TLA) and the splenic lymphocyte proliferation after adding TLA were measured to evaluate humoral and cellular immune responses. Challenge test was performed by subcutaneously injection of 1000 alive and active tachyzoites in to five mice per each group and survival days for each group of mice were recorded. Results: The mice group that received propranolol adjuvant and 20 µg of r SAG-1 antigen per dose of injection showed significantly more IFN-γ production, more proliferation of splenic lymphocytes and higher anti-TLA-specific IgG2a production (three main indexes for cell mediated immunity) in comparison with other groups. Moreover, in the challenge test, this group of mice had a significantly increased survival time, indicating the positive effect of propranolol in the more stimulating of cellular immunity that is necessary for toxoplasmosis prevention or suppress. Conclusion: Our results showed that T. gondii rSAG-1 antigen in combination with propranolol as adjuvant (which can induce Th1 related responses) are good candidates for further study to a vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmaeil Abasi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Shahram Shahabi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Majid Golkar
- Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Peyman Khezri
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, 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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Gatkowska J, Dzitko K, Ferra BT, Holec-Gąsior L, Kawka M, Dziadek B. The Impact of the Antigenic Composition of Chimeric Proteins on Their Immunoprotective Activity against Chronic Toxoplasmosis in Mice. Vaccines (Basel) 2019; 7:vaccines7040154. [PMID: 31635267 PMCID: PMC6963210 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines7040154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis may pose a serious threat for individuals with weakened or undeveloped immune systems. However, to date, there is no specific immunoprophylaxis for humans. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the immunogenicity of three trivalent—SAG2-GRA1-ROP1L (SGR), SAG1L-MIC1-MAG1 (SMM), and GRA1-GRA2-GRA6 (GGG)—and two tetravalent—SAG2-GRA1-ROP1-GRA2 (SGRG) and SAG1-MIC1-MAG1-GRA2 (SMMG)—chimeric T. gondii proteins, as well as their protective potential against chronic toxoplasmosis in laboratory mice. All three trivalent recombinant proteins possessed immunogenic properties, as defined by specific humoral and cellular responses in vaccinated mice characterized by the synthesis of specific IgG (IgG1/IgG2a) antibodies in vivo and the release of Th1/Th2 cytokines by stimulated splenocytes in vitro. Immunization with all three recombinant proteins provided partial protection against toxoplasmosis, although the protective capacity strongly depended on the individual antigenic composition of each preparation. The antigens providing the highest (86%) and lowest (45%) protection, SGR and SMM, respectively, were supplemented with GRA2 antigen fragment, to form the tetravalent chimeric proteins SGRG and SMMG. Further study revealed that the tetravalent preparations exhibited high immunogenic potential; however, the addition of another antigen to the recombinant protein structure had distinct effects on the protection generated, compared to that of the trivalent counterparts, depending on the antigen tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Gatkowska
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-237 Łódź, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Dzitko
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-237 Łódź, Poland.
| | - Bartłomiej Tomasz Ferra
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Lucyna Holec-Gąsior
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Malwina Kawka
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-237 Łódź, Poland.
| | - Bożena Dziadek
- Department of Immunoparasitology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-237 Łódź, Poland.
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Antigenic Epitope Analysis and Efficacy Evaluation of GRA41 DNA Vaccine Against T. gondii Infection. Acta Parasitol 2019; 64:471-478. [PMID: 31187386 DOI: 10.2478/s11686-019-00091-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii has a comprehensive impact on a great range of warm-blood mammals, in which one-third of the population all over the world is involved. Dense granular proteins, regarded as GRA family, mediating substantial interface between host cell cytoplasm and parasite, are widely studied for preventing the infection of T. gondii. PURPOSE As is handled in our study, the effect of intramuscularly injecting the genetic vaccine pEGFP-C1/GRA41 encoding a novel dense granule protein, GRA41, was evaluated. METHODS At the beginning, bioinformatics analysis was used to evaluate epitopes of both B cells and T cells on the GRA41 protein of T. gondii. Afterwards, recombinant plasmids (pEGFP-C1/GRA41) were injected into BALB/c mice and the quantity of IgG and its subclass IgG2a remarkably increased. IFN-γ, distinctive from the other cytokines (IL-4, and IL-10), was significant in growth. Afterwards, the intraperitoneal challenge was executed for recording survival time with tachyzoites with high virulence (in RH strain) and counting the number of brain cysts was carried out after the infection of PRU strain (low virulence). RESULTS In pEGFP-C1/GRA41 group, the survival period was significantly longer (13.3 ± 3.37 days) after tachyzoites attack with the RH strain in high virulence, compared with the other groups (less than 8 days). Additionally, the cyst quantity is remarkably lower and the rate of reduction could reach 59.34%. CONCLUSION All the results indicated effective protection of DNA vaccine encoding GRA41 against T. gondii.
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Garg M, Stern D, Groß U, Seeberger PH, Seeber F, Varón Silva D. Detection of Anti- Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Human Sera Using Synthetic Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Glycans on a Bead-Based Multiplex Assay. Anal Chem 2019; 91:11215-11222. [PMID: 31401830 PMCID: PMC6748559 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b02154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, while often an asymptomatic parasitic disease in healthy individuals, can cause severe complications in immunocompromised persons and during pregnancy. The most common method to diagnose Toxoplasma gondii infections is the serological determination of antibodies directed against parasite protein antigens. Here we report the use of a bead-based multiplex assay containing a synthetic phosphoglycan portion of the Toxoplasma gondii glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI1) for the detection of GPI1-specific antibodies in human sera. The glycan was conjugated to beads at the lipid site to retain its natural orientation and its immunogenic groups. We compared the response against GPI1 with that against the protein antigen SAG1, a common component of commercial serological assays, via the detection of parasite-specific human IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. The GPI1-based test is in excellent agreement with the results for the commercial ELISA, as the ROC analysis of the GPI1 test shows 97% specificity and 98% sensitivity for the assay. GPI1 was a more reliable predictor for a parasite-specific IgM response compared to SAG1, indicating that a bead-based multiplex assay using GPI1 in combination with SAG1 may strengthen Toxoplasma gondii serology, in particular in seroepidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Garg
- Department of Biomolecular Systems , Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , 14424 Potsdam , Germany.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Freie Universität Berlin , Arnimallee 22 , 14195 Berlin , Germany
| | | | - Uwe Groß
- German Consulting Laboratory for Toxoplasma, Institute for Medical Microbiology , University Medical Center Göttingen , 37075 Goettingen , Germany
| | - Peter H Seeberger
- Department of Biomolecular Systems , Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , 14424 Potsdam , Germany.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Freie Universität Berlin , Arnimallee 22 , 14195 Berlin , Germany
| | | | - Daniel Varón Silva
- Department of Biomolecular Systems , Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , 14424 Potsdam , Germany.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Freie Universität Berlin , Arnimallee 22 , 14195 Berlin , Germany
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Mavi SA, Modarressi MH, Mohebali M, Shojaee S, Zeraati H, Teimouri A, Keshavarz H. Assessment of the immunogenicity and protective efficiency of a novel dual-promoter DNA vaccine, harboring SAG1 and GRA7 genes, from RH strain of Toxoplasma gondii in BALB/c mice. Infect Drug Resist 2019; 12:2519-2530. [PMID: 31616167 PMCID: PMC6699518 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s209270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasmosis, a protozoan parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, has been a serious human and veterinary medicine problem with global distribution. In the current study, we assessed immunogenicity and protective efficiency of a novel dual-promoter DNA vaccine, harboring SAG1 and GRA7 genes, from RH strain of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) with or without CpG-ODN as adjuvant in a murine model. METHODS BALB/c mice were immunized intramuscularly with pVitro-SAG1-GRA7 alone and pVitro-SAG1-GRA7 with CpG-ODN three times at three-week intervals. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assess total IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) cytokines in mice sera. Four weeks post final vaccination, MTT assay and lethal challenge-infection with 1×103 tachyzoites of T. gondii RH strain were carried out to assess stimulation index (SI) and mice survival time, respectively. RESULTS The IgG levels in mice immunized with multicomponent vaccines, including pVitro-SAG1-GRA7 alone and pVitro-SAG1-GRA7 with CpG-ODN, were significantly higher than those in control mice or single-gene DNA-vaccinated ones (P<0.05). Furthermore, level of IgG2a in mice receiving pVitro-SAG1-GRA7 with CpG-ODN was significantly higher than that in mice receiving pVitro-SAG1-GRA7 alone (P<0.05). The Toxoplasma lysate antigen (TLA)-stimulated lymphocytes from pVitro-SAG1-GRA7 with CpG-ODN group responded more dramatically than those from control groups or single-gene DNA-vaccinated groups (P<0.001). The pVitro-SAG1-GRA7 with CpG-ODN-vaccinated mice developed high levels of IgG2a and IFN-γ (P<0.001) and low levels of IgG1 and IL-10, compared to control groups, suggesting a modulated immune response type Th1. In addition, survival time of the mice immunized with pVitro-SAG1-GRA7 with CpG-ODN was significantly extended, compared to controls (P<0.05); however, all mice died. CONCLUSION The multivalent pVitro-SAG1-GRA7 DNA vaccine with CpG-ODN adjuvant is a promising vaccine candidate against toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ayazian Mavi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mehdi Mohebali
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Center for Research of Endemic Parasites of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Shojaee
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hojjat Zeraati
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aref Teimouri
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Students Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Keshavarz
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Center for Research of Endemic Parasites of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Sobati H, Dalimi A, Kazemi B, Ghaffarifar F. Evaluation of Anti-Toxoplasma gondii Immune Responses in BALB/c Mice Induced by DNA Vaccines Encoding Surface Antigen 1 (SAG1) and 3 (SAG3). MOLECULAR GENETICS MICROBIOLOGY AND VIROLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.3103/s0891416819010099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Choi WH, Lee IA. The Mechanism of Action of Ursolic Acid as a Potential Anti-Toxoplasmosis Agent, and Its Immunomodulatory Effects. Pathogens 2019; 8:pathogens8020061. [PMID: 31075881 PMCID: PMC6631288 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8020061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was performed to investigate the mechanism of action of ursolic acid in terms of anti-Toxoplasma gondii effects, including immunomodulatory effects. We evaluated the anti-T. gondii effects of ursolic acid, and analyzed the production of nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cytokines through co-cultured immune cells, as well as the expression of intracellular organelles of T. gondii. The subcellular organelles and granules of T. gondii, particularly rhoptry protein 18, microneme protein 8, and inner membrane complex sub-compartment protein 3, were markedly decreased when T. gondii was treated with ursolic acid, and their expressions were effectively inhibited. Furthermore, ursolic acid effectively increased the production of NO, ROS, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and interferon-β, while reducing the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) in T. gondii-infected immune cells. These results demonstrate that ursolic acid not only causes anti-T. gondii activity/action by effectively inhibiting the survival of T. gondii and the subcellular organelles of T. gondii, but also induces specific immunomodulatory effects in T. gondii-infected immune cells. Therefore, this study indicates that ursolic acid can be effectively utilized as a potential candidate agent for developing novel anti-toxoplasmosis drugs, and has immunomodulatory activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won Hyung Choi
- Marine Bio Research & Education Center, Kunsan National University, 558 Daehak-ro, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do 54150, Korea.
| | - In Ah Lee
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Science, Kunsan National University, 558 Daehak-ro, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do 54150, Korea.
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In silico analysis and expression of a novel chimeric antigen as a vaccine candidate against Toxoplasma gondii. Microb Pathog 2019; 132:275-281. [PMID: 31078709 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that causes one of the most common parasitic infections in humans and other warm-blooded animals. Currently, there are no effective treatments for inhibiting the formation of chronic tissue cysts in infected hosts. Thus, the development of a vaccine to protect against toxoplasmosis is an attractive option for avoiding infection. The aim of this study was to design an epitope-based vaccine for T. gondii. In the present study, an in silico approach was used to predict and analyze B-cell and T-cell epitopes and the transmembrane domain of proteins SAG1, MIC3, and ROP8. We also predicted the antigenicity, allergenicity, secondary and tertiary structures, and physicochemical characteristics of a chimeric protein. Next, codon optimization and mRNA structure prediction were conducted using bioinformatics tools, and the designed construct was chemically synthesized and cloned into the pET28a vector. SAG1 (amino acid positions 85-235), MIC3 (30-180), and ROP8 (85-185) were found to have several strong immunodominant epitopes that were joined with a rigid linker A(EAAAK)2A. Although the resultant protein called MRS (MIC3, ROP8, and SAG1) did not turn out to be an allergen, its antigenicity was estimated to be 0.7983. Additionally, MRS was selected as the best vaccine candidate on the basis of its secondary and tertiary structures. The number of amino acids, molecular weight, and numbers of negatively and positively charged residues of MRS were 427 and 45,661.31 Da, 45, and 50, respectively. ΔG of the best-predicted structure was -413.0 kcal/mol, and the first nucleotides at the 5' end did not form a stable hairpin or pseudoknot. Finally, successful expression and verification of the expressed MRS protein showed that in silico analysis was almost accurate. This vaccine candidate selected by in silico tools should be validated in experimental studies.
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Sánchez-López EF, Corigliano MG, Albarracín RM, Sander VA, Legarralde A, Bengoa-Luoni SA, Clemente M. Plant Hsp90 is a novel adjuvant that elicits a strong humoral and cellular immune response against B- and T-cell epitopes of a Toxoplasma gondii SAG1 peptide. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:140. [PMID: 30909938 PMCID: PMC6434815 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3362-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 90-kDa heat-shock protein (Hsp90) from Nicotiana benthamiana (NbHsp90.3) is a promising adjuvant, especially for those vaccines that require a T cell-mediated immune response. Toxoplasma gondii SAG1 is considered one of the most important antigens for the development of effective subunit vaccines. Some epitopes located in the SAG1 C-terminus region have showed a strong humoral and cellular immune response. In the present study, we aimed to assess the efficacy of NbHsp90.3 as carrier/adjuvant of SAG1-derived peptide (SAG1HC) in a T. gondii infection murine model. METHODS In the present study, C57BL/6 mice were intraperitoneal immunized with the NbHsp90.3-SAG1HC fusion protein (NbHsp90.3-SAG1HC group), mature SAG1 (SAG1m group), NbHsp90.3 (NbHsp90.3 group) or PBS buffer 1× (PBS group). The levels of IgG antibodies and the cytokine profile were determined by ELISA. Two weeks after the last immunization, all mice were orally challenged with 20 cysts of T. gondii Me49 strain and the number of brain cysts was determined. In addition, both humoral and cellular immune responses were also evaluated during the acute and chronic phase of T. gondii infection by ELISA. RESULTS The characterization of the immune response generated after vaccination with NbHsp90.3 as an adjuvant showed that NbHsp90.3-SAG1HC-immunized mice produced antibodies that were able to recognize not only rSAG1m but also the native SAG1 present in the total lysate antigen extract (SAG1TLA) from T. gondii tachyzoites, while control groups did not. Furthermore, anti-rSAG1m IgG2a/2b antibodies were significantly induced. In addition, only the spleen cell cultures from NbHsp90.3-SAG1HC-immunized mice showed a significantly increased production of IFN-γ. During the chronic phase of T. gondii infection, the antibodies generated by the infection were unable to detect the recombinant protein, but they did react with TLA extract. In addition, splenocytes from all groups showed a high production of IFN-γ when stimulated with rGRA4, but only those from NbHsp90.3-SAG1HC group stimulated with rSAG1m showed high production of IFN-γ. Finally, NbHsp90.3-SAG1HC-immunized mice exhibited a significant reduction in the cyst load (56%) against T. gondii infection. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that NbHsp90.3 enhances the humoral and cell-mediated immune response through a Th1 type cytokine production. Mice vaccinated with NbHsp90.3-SAG1HC exhibited a partial protection against T. gondii infection and it was correlated with the induction of memory immune response. We developed and validated a vaccine formulation which, to our knowledge, for the first time includes the NbHsp90.3 protein covalently fused to a peptide from T. gondii SAG1 protein that contains T- and B-cell epitopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin F. Sánchez-López
- Unidad de Biotecnología 6-UB6, IIB-INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Intendente Marino Km 8.2, B7130IWA Chascomús, Buenos Aires Province Argentina
| | - Mariana G. Corigliano
- Unidad de Biotecnología 6-UB6, IIB-INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Intendente Marino Km 8.2, B7130IWA Chascomús, Buenos Aires Province Argentina
| | - Romina M. Albarracín
- Unidad de Biotecnología 6-UB6, IIB-INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Intendente Marino Km 8.2, B7130IWA Chascomús, Buenos Aires Province Argentina
| | - Valeria A. Sander
- Unidad de Biotecnología 6-UB6, IIB-INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Intendente Marino Km 8.2, B7130IWA Chascomús, Buenos Aires Province Argentina
| | - Ariel Legarralde
- Unidad de Biotecnología 6-UB6, IIB-INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Intendente Marino Km 8.2, B7130IWA Chascomús, Buenos Aires Province Argentina
| | - Sofía A. Bengoa-Luoni
- Unidad de Biotecnología 6-UB6, IIB-INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Intendente Marino Km 8.2, B7130IWA Chascomús, Buenos Aires Province Argentina
| | - Marina Clemente
- Unidad de Biotecnología 6-UB6, IIB-INTECH, CONICET-UNSAM, Intendente Marino Km 8.2, B7130IWA Chascomús, Buenos Aires Province Argentina
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Hajissa K, Zakaria R, Suppian R, Mohamed Z. Epitope-based vaccine as a universal vaccination strategy against Toxoplasma gondii infection: A mini-review. J Adv Vet Anim Res 2019; 6:174-182. [PMID: 31453188 PMCID: PMC6702889 DOI: 10.5455/javar.2019.f329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the significant progress in the recent efforts toward developing an effective vaccine against toxoplasmosis, the search for new protective vaccination strategy still remains a challenge and elusive goal because it becomes the appropriate way to prevent the disease. Various experimental approaches in the past few years showed that developing a potential vaccine against the disease can be achievable. The combination of multi-epitopes expressing different stages of the parasite life cycle has become an optimal strategy for acquiring a potent, safe, and effective vaccine. Epitope-based vaccines have gained attention as alternative vaccine candidates due to their ability of inducing protective immune responses. This mini-review highlights the current status and the prospects of Toxoplasma gondii vaccine development along with the application of epitope-based vaccine in the future parasite immunization as a novel under development and evaluation strategy.
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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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A systematic review of Toxoplasma gondii antigens to find the best vaccine candidates for immunization. Microb Pathog 2018; 126:172-184. [PMID: 30399440 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2018.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
At present, there is not any available accepted vaccine for prevention of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) in human and animals. We conducted literature search through English (Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, EBSCO, ISI Web of Science) scientific paper databases to find the best vaccine candidates against toxoplasmosis among T. gondii antigens. Articles with information on infective stage, pathogenicity, immunogenicity and characterization of antigens were selected. We considered that the ideal and significant vaccines should include different antigens and been expressed in all infective stages of the parasite with a high pathogenicity and immunogenicity. Evaluation within this systematic review indicates that MIC 3, 4, 13, ROP 2, RON 5, GRA 1, 6, 8, 14 are expressed in all three infective stages and have pathogenicity and immunogenicity. MIC 5, ROM 4, GRA 2, 4, 15, ROP 5, 16, 17, 38, RON 4, MIC 1, GRA 10, 12, 16, SAG 3 are expressed in only tachyzoites and bradyzoites stages of T. gondii with pathogenicity/immunogenicity. Some antigens appeared to be expressed in a single stage (tachyzoites) but have high pathogenicity and induce immune response. They include enolase2 (ENO2), SAG 1, SAG5D, HSP 70, ROM 1, ROM 5, AMA 1, ROP 18, RON2 and GRA 24. In conclusion, current vaccination against T. gondii infection is not satisfactory, and with the increasing number of high-risk individuals, the development of an effective and safe specific vaccine is greatly valuable for toxoplasmosis prevention. This systematic review reveals prepare candidates for immunization studies.
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Lai MY, Lau YL. Measurement of binding strength between prey proteins interacting with Toxoplasma gondii SAG1 and SAG2 using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Acta Parasitol 2018; 63:106-113. [PMID: 29351065 DOI: 10.1515/ap-2018-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Following the outcome from a previously performed yeast two-hybrid experiment, the binding strength between T. gondii SAG1 and SAG2 and their respective prey proteins were further confirmed in this study. The sag1, sag2 and their prey genes were amplified and cloned into a pGEMT vector. To express the recombinant proteins, the fragments were then subcloned into a pRSETA vector and transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3) cells. The recombinant proteins were expressed optimally at 37°C and 1mM of IPTG. The 6X His-tag fusion proteins were purified, dialyzed and concentrated. To confirm the expressed proteins, the recombinant proteins were analysed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. As expected, the size of SAG1, SAG2, HLY and HZF protein were 32, 23, 28 and 37 kDa, respectively. The purified proteins were loaded onto a MicroCal Auto-iTC200 calorimeter from MicroCal™ to quantify binding strength. ITC results indicated there was a typical binding curve for interactions between SAG1 and HLY protein. However, there was an atypical binding curve obtained for interactions between SAG2 and HZF protein. By observing the data obtained from the ITC assay, both of the human proteins (HLY and HZF) were demonstrated to bind to their respective SAG1 and SAG2 proteins.
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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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Lakhrif Z, Moreau A, Hérault B, Di-Tommaso A, Juste M, Moiré N, Dimier-Poisson I, Mévélec MN, Aubrey N. Targeted Delivery of Toxoplasma gondii Antigens to Dendritic Cells Promote Immunogenicity and Protective Efficiency against Toxoplasmosis. Front Immunol 2018. [PMID: 29515595 PMCID: PMC5826183 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a major public health problem and the development of a human vaccine is of high priority. Efficient vaccination against Toxoplasma gondii requires both a mucosal and systemic Th1 immune response. Moreover, dendritic cells play a critical role in orchestrating the innate immune functions and driving specific adaptive immunity to T. gondii. In this study, we explore an original vaccination strategy that combines administration via mucosal and systemic routes of fusion proteins able to target the major T. gondii surface antigen SAG1 to DCs using an antibody fragment single-chain fragment variable (scFv) directed against DEC205 endocytic receptor. Our results show that SAG1 targeting to DCs by scFv via intranasal and subcutaneous administration improved protection against chronic T. gondii infection. A marked reduction in brain parasite burden is observed when compared with the intranasal or the subcutaneous route alone. DC targeting improved both local and systemic humoral and cellular immune responses and potentiated more specifically the Th1 response profile by more efficient production of IFN-γ, interleukin-2, IgG2a, and nasal IgA. This study provides evidence of the potential of DC targeting for the development of new vaccines against a range of Apicomplexa parasites.
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Steinberg HE, Russo P, Angulo N, Ynocente R, Montoya C, Diestra A, Ferradas C, Schiaffino F, Florentini E, Jimenez J, Calderón M, Carruthers VB, Gilman RH, Liotta L, Luchini A. Toward detection of toxoplasmosis from urine in mice using hydro-gel nanoparticles concentration and parallel reaction monitoring mass spectrometry. NANOMEDICINE : NANOTECHNOLOGY, BIOLOGY, AND MEDICINE 2018; 14:461-469. [PMID: 29203146 PMCID: PMC5844831 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2017.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Diagnosis of clinical toxoplasmosis remains a challenge, thus limiting the availability of human clinical samples. Though murine models are an approximation of human response, their definitive infection status and tissue availability make them critical to the diagnostic development process. Hydrogel mesh nanoparticles were used to concentrate antigen to detectable levels for mass spectrometry. Seven Toxoplasma gondii isolates were used to develop a panel of potential peptide sequences for detection by parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) mass spectrometry. Nanoparticles were incubated with decreasing concentrations of tachyzoite lysate to explore the limits of detection of PRM. Mice whose toxoplasmosis infection status was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR had urine tested by PRM after hydrogel mesh concentration for known T. gondii peptides. Peptides from GRA1, GRA12, ROP4, ROP5, SAG1, and SAG2A proteins were detected by PRM after nanoparticle concentration of urine, confirming detection of T. gondii antigen in the urine of an infected mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E Steinberg
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Paul Russo
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, VA, USA
| | - Noelia Angulo
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Raúl Ynocente
- Laboratorio de Parasitología de Fauna Silvestre y Zoonosis, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú
| | - Cristina Montoya
- Laboratorio de Parasitología de Fauna Silvestre y Zoonosis, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú
| | - Andrea Diestra
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Cusi Ferradas
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Laboratorio de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Francesca Schiaffino
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Laboratorio de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Edgar Florentini
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Juan Jimenez
- Laboratorio de Parasitología de Fauna Silvestre y Zoonosis, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú
| | - Maritza Calderón
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | | | - Robert H Gilman
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lance Liotta
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, VA, USA
| | - Alessandra Luchini
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, VA, USA
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HAJISSA K, ZAKARIA R, SUPPIAN R, MOHAMED Z. Immunogenicity of Multiepitope Vaccine Candidate against Toxoplasma gondii Infection in BALB/c Mice. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2018; 13:215-224. [PMID: 30069205 PMCID: PMC6068360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is a widely prevalent intracellular protozoan parasite which causes serious clinical and veterinary problems. Development of an effective vaccine for controlling toxoplasmosis is an extremely important aim. In the present study, the protective efficacy of recombinant multiepitope antigen (USM.TOXO1) expressing nine potential epitopes identified from SAG1, GRA2, and GRA7 of Toxoplasma gondii was evaluated in BALB/c mice. METHODS Mice were immunized subcutaneously with three doses of USM.TOXO1 antigen (10 μg/ml). Following the immunization, the IgG antibody, IgG subclass, IFN-γ and IL-4 production were evaluated using ELISA, the study was conducted at Animal Research and Service Center (ARASC), USM Health Campus in 2016. RESULTS Mice immunized with USM.TOXO1 significantly induced a mixed Th1/Th2 response polarized toward the IgG1 antibody isotype. While the cytokine analysis revealed a significant release of IFN-γ cytokines. CONCLUSION USM.TOXO1 is a potential vaccine candidate that elicits strong immunity in BALB/c mice. The proven immunogenicity of the generated antigen can serve as a premise for further use of epitope-based vaccine in the immunoprevention of human and animal toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid HAJISSA
- Dept. of Zoology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman, Sudan, Dept. of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Ku-bang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Robaiza ZAKARIA
- Dept. of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Ku-bang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Rapeah SUPPIAN
- Biomedicine Program, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kuban Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Zeehaida MOHAMED
- Dept. of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Ku-bang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia,Correspondence
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Hajissa K, Zakaria R, Suppian R, Mohamed Z. An evaluation of a recombinant multiepitope based antigen for detection of Toxoplasma gondii specific antibodies. BMC Infect Dis 2017; 17:807. [PMID: 29284420 PMCID: PMC5747131 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-017-2920-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The inefficiency of the current tachyzoite antigen-based serological assays for the serodiagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection mandates the need for acquirement of reliable and standard diagnostic reagents. Recently, epitope-based antigens have emerged as an alternative diagnostic marker for the achievement of highly sensitive and specific capture antigens. In this study, the diagnostic utility of a recombinant multiepitope antigen (USM.TOXO1) for the serodiagnosis of human toxoplasmosis was evaluated. METHODS An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to evaluate the usefulness of USM.TOXO1 antigen for the detection of IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in human sera. Whereas the reactivity of the developed antigen against IgM antibody was evaluated by western blot and Dot enzyme immunoassay (dot-EIA) analysis. RESULTS The diagnostic performance of the new antigens in IgG ELISA was achieved at the maximum values of 85.43% and 81.25% for diagnostic sensitivity and specificity respectively. The USM.TOXO1 was also proven to be reactive with anti- T. gondii IgM antibody. CONCLUSIONS This finding makes the USM.TOXO1 antigen an attractive candidate for improving the toxoplasmosis serodiagnosis and demonstrates that multiepitope antigens could be a potential and promising diagnostic marker for the development of high sensitive and accurate assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid Hajissa
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Omdurman Islamic University, B.O.Box, 382, Omdurman, Sudan
| | - 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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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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Synergistic effect of rSAG1 and rGRA2 antigens formulated in PLGA microspheres in eliciting immune protection against Toxoplasama gondii. Exp Parasitol 2016; 170:236-246. [PMID: 27663469 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2016.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Revised: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
There is still no human vaccine against Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), as one of the most successful parasites. In present study, we designed a subunit vaccine composed of recombinant SAG1 (rSAG1) and recombinant GRA2 (rGRA2) proteins. In order to improve the induced immune responses, rSAG1 and rGRA2 were adsorbed on Poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres (MS) prepared by double emulsion solvent evaporation method. BALB/c mice were subcutaneously vaccinated by rSAG1-adsorbed PLGA MS (rSAG1-PLGA), rGRA2-adsorbed PLGA MS (rGRA2-PLGA), and the mixture of both formulations (rSAG1/rGRA2-PLGA), twice with a 3-week interval. PLGA MS characteristics, protein release, cellular and humoral immune responses, and protection against acute toxoplasmosis were evaluated. All vaccinated mice induced significantly partial protection and longer survival times associated with higher IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio and higher amount of Toxoplasma-specific IgG antibodies compared to control groups. Interestingly, the synergistic effect of rSAG1 and rGRA2 in eliciting more potent cellular and humoral responses and consequently higher protection in comparison to single antigen was confirmed. This study introduces the mixture of rSAG1 and rGRA2 (derived from different stages of Toxoplasma life-cycle) formulated in PLGA MS as a promising candidate in vaccine development against T. gondii.
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48
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Gashout A, Amro A, Erhuma M, Al-Dwibe H, Elmaihub E, Babba H, Nattah N, Abudher A. Molecular diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in Libya. BMC Infect Dis 2016; 16:157. [PMID: 27083153 PMCID: PMC4833959 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-1491-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii infections are prevalent in humans and animals throughout Libya. Current diagnosis is based on detection of Toxoplasma-specific IgM and IgG. In this study, we established and optimized a diagnostic PCR assay for molecular diagnosis of T. gondii in Libya. Methods From January to December, 2010, 177 blood and serum samples were collected from suspected patients. This includes: 140 women who have had spontaneous abortions, 26 HIV-positive patients, nine patients with leukemia and lymphoma, and two infants with ocular infection. Samples were screened for anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies before DNA extraction. The surface antigen gene 2 (SAG2) was targeted in a semi-nested PCR to amplify a 999 bp and a 614 bp fragment in the first and the second run respectively. Results A total of 54/140 (38.5 %) women who have had spontaneous abortions, 23/26 (88 %) HIV patients, 6/9 (66.6 %) of the leukaemia and lymphoma patients, and one child with ocular infection were seropositive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG and/or IgM. Genomic DNA was extracted from 38 selected seropositive samples. The PCR was sensitive enough to detect DNA concentration of 12 ng/μL. PCR analysis was performed for 38 selected seropositive patients (16 women who have had spontaneous abortions, 15 positive HIV patients, six leukaemia patients and one child with ocular infection). Our designed primers were successfully amplified in 22/38 (57.9 %) samples; 5/12 (35.7 %) from serum and 17/26 (65.8 %) from whole blood samples. All PCR positive samples were IgG-positive except two samples which were IgM and IgG & IgM-positive serum samples respectively. The semi-nested PCR confirmed five more samples. These included two leukaemia and two HIV-positive whole blood samples and one serum sample from an aborted woman. Conclusion The ability of PCR to diagnose active toxoplasmosis is needed in immunocompromised patients and congenital toxoplasmosis cases, especially when serological techniques fail. For the first time in Libya, we established and optimized semi-nested PCR of SAG2 gene. The developed PCR method was able to detect as little as 12 ng/μL of T. gondii DNA and was useful to diagnose the diseases in women who have had spontaneous abortions, HIV-positive patients, patients with leukemia and lymphoma, and infants with ocular infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisha Gashout
- Faculty of Medical Technology Pathology Department, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Ahmad Amro
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Quds University, Main Campus, Abu Dis, P.O. Box 5100, Jerusalem, Palestine.
| | - Mabruk Erhuma
- Medical Laboratory Department, Immunology Unit, Tripoli Central Hospital, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Hamida Al-Dwibe
- Faculty of Medicine, Dermatology Department, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Eanas Elmaihub
- Scientific College - Sabrata, Zoology Department, University of Zawia, Zawia, Libya
| | - Hamouda Babba
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie à la Faculté de Pharmacie, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Nabil Nattah
- Genetic Laboratory at Bio- technologies Researches Centre, Tripoli, Libya
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Cakir-Koc R. Production of anti-SAG1 IgY antibody against Toxoplasma gondii parasites and evaluation of antibody activity by ELISA method. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:2947-52. [PMID: 27079459 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5047-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Chicken egg yolk antibody, also known as immunoglobulin Y (IgY), is the predominant class of serum immunoglobulin in birds. IgY has many advantages over mammalian antibodies, such as enhanced immunogenicity conserved mammalian proteins exhibited in birds due to their phylogenetic distance, non-invasive rapid, and economical collection system. However, there are limited studies about IgY production against Toxoplasma, which is a worldwide veterinary and public health problem. In this study, the production of specific IgY antibodies against the surface antigen 1 (SAG1) protein of Toxoplasma gondii and the determination of antibody activity via the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method were conducted. According to ELISA, Western blot, and NanoDrop results, specific and higher amounts of IgY antibody against SAG1 were obtained with this study. Considering the advantages of IgY and importance of SAG1 for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, it is expected that anti-SAG1 IgY will play an increasing role and gain commercial value in research, diagnostics, and immunotherapy against toxoplasmosis in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabia Cakir-Koc
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, 34210, Esenler, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Brüggmann D, Handl V, Klingelhöfer D, Jaque J, Groneberg DA. Congenital toxoplasmosis: an in-depth density-equalizing mapping analysis to explore its global research architecture. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:646. [PMID: 26691532 PMCID: PMC4687351 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1263-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasmosis endangers the unborn child if its infectious agent--toxoplasma gondii--is transmitted transplacentally during pregnancy. Although this condition occurs in all parts of the world and represents a major public health burden, no detailed knowledge on the global research architecture of congenital toxoplasmosis is available thus far. Hence, it was the aim of this study to assess the related global research activity over the past 110 years. METHODS We employed the NewQIS platform, which combines established scientometric and socioeconomic analysis tools with novel visualizing techniques such as density equalizing mapping projections. RESULTS In the Web of Science, 13,044 congenital toxoplasmosis-related items published between 1900 and 2012 were identified. These were issued by 26,483 authors originating from 125 countries. The US was the dominating nation (38.7 % of total scientific output), followed by France (10.9 %) and Great Britain (9.2 %). The US also led the ranking in regards to semi-qualitative parameters (total citations, country-specific h-indices and citation rates). When research activity was related to economic figures, the ratio of total toxoplasmosis publications to the total GDP listed Switzerland first with an average of 589.35 toxoplasmosis-related publications per GDP in 1000 Bio US-$, followed by France (545.16), the UK (486.13) and Brazil (431.84) and the US (311.11). The relation of toxoplasmosis-specific publications to the economic power indicator GDP per capita in 1000 US-$ revealed that the US was ranked first with 97.65 toxoplasmosis-related publications/GDP per capita in 1000 US-$, followed by Brazil (85.95). Subject area analysis indicated a relative shortage of studies that addressed pharmacological or public health aspects of congenital toxoplasmosis. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first in-depth approach to sketch a global picture of the congenital toxoplasmosis research architecture. In contrast to other fields of biomedical research, not only high-income countries play a major role regarding congenital toxoplasmosis research but also countries such as Brazil that have a high incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dörthe Brüggmann
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Department of Female Health and Preventive Medicine, Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Vanessa Handl
- Department of Female Health and Preventive Medicine, Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Doris Klingelhöfer
- Department of Female Health and Preventive Medicine, Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Jenny Jaque
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - David A Groneberg
- Department of Female Health and Preventive Medicine, Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany.
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