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García-López L, Zamora-Vélez A, Vargas-Montes M, Sanchez-Arcila JC, Fasquelle F, Betbeder D, Gómez-Marín JE. Human T-cell activation with Toxoplasma gondii antigens loaded in maltodextrin nanoparticles. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302486. [PMID: 38724195 PMCID: PMC11082450 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is the most prevalent parasitic zoonosis worldwide, causing ocular and neurological diseases. No vaccine has been approved for human use. We evaluated the response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to a novel construct of Toxoplasma gondii total antigen in maltodextrin nanoparticles (NP/TE) in individuals with varying infectious statuses (uninfected, chronic asymptomatic, or ocular toxoplasmosis). We analyzed the concentration of IFN-γ after NP/TE ex vivo stimulation using ELISA and the immunophenotypes of CD4+ and CD8+ cell populations using flow cytometry. In addition, serotyping of individuals with toxoplasmosis was performed by ELISA using GRA6-derived polypeptides. Low doses of NP/TE stimulation (0.9 μg NP/0.3 μg TE) achieved IFN-γ-specific production in previously exposed human PBMCs without significant differences in the infecting serotype. Increased IFN-γ expression in CD4+ effector memory cell subsets was found in patients with ocular toxoplasmosis with NP/TE but not with TE alone. This is the first study to show how T-cell subsets respond to ex vivo stimulation with a vaccine candidate for human toxoplasmosis, providing crucial insights for future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura García-López
- https://ror.org/01358s213 GEPAMOL Group, Center for Biomedical Research CIBM, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California Merced, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Alejandro Zamora-Vélez
- https://ror.org/01358s213 GEPAMOL Group, Center for Biomedical Research CIBM, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Mónica Vargas-Montes
- https://ror.org/01358s213 GEPAMOL Group, Center for Biomedical Research CIBM, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | | | | | | | - Jorge Enrique Gómez-Marín
- https://ror.org/01358s213 GEPAMOL Group, Center for Biomedical Research CIBM, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
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Nayeri T, Sarvi S, Daryani A. Effective factors in the pathogenesis of Toxoplasmagondii. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31558. [PMID: 38818168 PMCID: PMC11137575 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a cosmopolitan protozoan parasite in humans and animals. It infects about 30 % of the human population worldwide and causes potentially fatal diseases in immunocompromised hosts and neonates. For this study, five English-language databases (ScienceDirect, ProQuest, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus) and the internet search engine Google Scholar were searched. This review was accomplished to draw a global perspective of what is known about the pathogenesis of T. gondii and various factors affecting it. Virulence and immune responses can influence the mechanisms of parasite pathogenesis and these factors are in turn influenced by other factors. In addition to the host's genetic background, the type of Toxoplasma strain, the routes of transmission of infection, the number of passages, and different phases of parasite life affect virulence. The identification of virulence factors of the parasite could provide promising insights into the pathogenesis of this parasite. The results of this study can be an incentive to conduct more intensive research to design and develop new anti-Toxoplasma agents (drugs and vaccines) to treat or prevent this infection. In addition, further studies are needed to better understand the key agents in the pathogenesis of T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tooran Nayeri
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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Zhang HS, Cao H, Li CX, Zhang ZW, Wang M, Zhu XQ, Zheng XN. Immunization with Live-Attenuated RHΔ had2a Strain Confers Partial Protective Immunity against Acute and Chronic Infection of Toxoplasma gondii in Mice. Pathogens 2024; 13:121. [PMID: 38392859 PMCID: PMC10892008 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13020121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonosis of human and animal health significance. Current chemical therapeutics have side effects, and no commercially available vaccine is licensed for the prevention of toxoplasmosis in humans and most animals. Developing a safe and effective vaccine with long-term protection against T. gondii infection is necessary to control toxoplasmosis. HAD2a is a key member of the haloacid dehalogenase (HAD) phosphatase family, which is essential for T. gondii daughter budding. However, the role of HAD2a in T. gondii virulence remains unknown. In this study, we successfully constructed the had2a gene knockout strain in the T. gondii-type I RH strain (RHΔhad2a) and determined its role in virulence and vaccination. These results demonstrate that HAD2a played an important role in parasite daughter budding and in vitro replication. Knockout of the had2a gene attenuated the virulence of the T. gondii-type I RH strain. Vaccination with RHΔhad2a tachyzoites induced a Th1-biased immune response, provided partial protection against acute T. gondii infection in mice by highly virulent tachyzoites of RH and PYS (ToxoDB#9, Chinese I) strains, and conferred strong protection against challenge infection by cysts and oocysts of the less virulent type II Pru strain. These results demonstrate that T. gondii had2a is important for its in vitro proliferation and virulence in mice and that RHΔhad2a may be used as a candidate strain to generate a multiple gene knockout live-attenuated strain or be collaboratively applied with other live-attenuated strains to confer more effective protection against T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Sheng Zhang
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; (H.-S.Z.); (H.C.); (C.-X.L.)
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China; (Z.-W.Z.); (M.W.)
| | - Hui Cao
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; (H.-S.Z.); (H.C.); (C.-X.L.)
| | - Chen-Xu Li
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; (H.-S.Z.); (H.C.); (C.-X.L.)
| | - Zhi-Wei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China; (Z.-W.Z.); (M.W.)
| | - Meng Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China; (Z.-W.Z.); (M.W.)
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; (H.-S.Z.); (H.C.); (C.-X.L.)
| | - Xiao-Nan Zheng
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; (H.-S.Z.); (H.C.); (C.-X.L.)
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Li X, Yuan W, He T, Guo R, Du X, He Y, Li X, El-Ashram S, Al-Olayan EM, Yang N, Sang X. Boosting Mouse Defense against Lethal Toxoplasma gondii Infection with Full-Length and Soluble SAG1 Recombinant Protein. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1678. [PMID: 38006011 PMCID: PMC10675489 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11111678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a major worldwide protozoan zoonosis. The surface antigen 1 (SAG1) of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) has always been recognized as an ideal vaccine candidate antigen. However, the intact and soluble SAG1 protein is usually difficult to acquire in vitro, which is unfavorable for employing the recombinant protein as a vaccine candidate antigen. In the present study, we obtained the full-length SAG1 recombinant protein in soluble form by Escherichia coli Transetta (DE3) cells under optimized expression conditions. The immunogenicity and protective ability of this recombinant protein against T. gondii acute infection were evaluated in a mouse model. Monitoring changes in serum antibody levels and types, the presence of cytokines, and the rate of lymphocyte proliferation in vaccinated mice were used to assess humoral and cellular immune responses. Additional assessments were performed to determine the protective potency of the recombinant protein in combating T. gondii RH tachyzoites. It was found that the titers of both IgG2a and IgG2b were considerably greater in the immunized mice compared to the titers of IgG1 and IgG3. The levels of Th1-type cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-12p70, IL-2, and TNF-α) and Th2-type cytokines (IL-10) significantly increased when splenocytes from immunological group mice were treated with T. gondii lysate antigen. Compared to the control group, a recombinant protein substantially increased the longevity of infected mice, with an average death time prolonged by 14.50 ± 0.34 days (p < 0.0001). These findings suggest that the full-length and soluble SAG1 recombinant protein produced potent immune responses in mice and could be a preferred subunit vaccine candidate for T. gondii, offering a feasible option for vaccination against acute toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China; (X.L.); (W.Y.); (T.H.); (R.G.); (X.D.); (Y.H.); (X.L.)
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Wei Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China; (X.L.); (W.Y.); (T.H.); (R.G.); (X.D.); (Y.H.); (X.L.)
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Ting He
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China; (X.L.); (W.Y.); (T.H.); (R.G.); (X.D.); (Y.H.); (X.L.)
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Ruiying Guo
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China; (X.L.); (W.Y.); (T.H.); (R.G.); (X.D.); (Y.H.); (X.L.)
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Xiuxian Du
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China; (X.L.); (W.Y.); (T.H.); (R.G.); (X.D.); (Y.H.); (X.L.)
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Yanhong He
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China; (X.L.); (W.Y.); (T.H.); (R.G.); (X.D.); (Y.H.); (X.L.)
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Xuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China; (X.L.); (W.Y.); (T.H.); (R.G.); (X.D.); (Y.H.); (X.L.)
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Saeed El-Ashram
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh 33516, Egypt;
| | - Ebtesam M. Al-Olayan
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Na Yang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China; (X.L.); (W.Y.); (T.H.); (R.G.); (X.D.); (Y.H.); (X.L.)
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Xiaoyu Sang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China; (X.L.); (W.Y.); (T.H.); (R.G.); (X.D.); (Y.H.); (X.L.)
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
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5
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Shi Y, Li J, Yang W, Chen J. Protective immunity induced by DNA vaccine containing Tg GRA35, Tg GRA42, and Tg GRA43 against Toxoplasma gondii infection in Kunming mice. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1236130. [PMID: 38029261 PMCID: PMC10644269 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1236130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii can cause congenital infection and abortion in humans and warm-blooded animals. T. gondii dense granule proteins, GRA35, GRA42, and GRA43, play a critical role in the establishment of chronic infection. However, their potential to induce protective immunity against T. gondii infection remains unexplored. Objective This study aimed to test the efficacy of a DNA vaccine encompassing GRA35, GRA42, and GRA43 in inducing protective immunity against the highly virulent T. gondii RH strain (type I) and the brain cyst-forming PRU strain (type II). Methods The eukaryotic plasmids pVAX-GRA35, pVAX-GRA42, and pVAX-GRA43 were constructed and formulated into two- or three-gene cocktail DNA vaccines. The indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was used to analyze their expression and immunogenicity. Mice were immunized with a single-gene, two-genes, or multicomponent eukaryotic plasmid, intramuscularly. We assessed antibody levels, cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) responses, cytokines, and lymphocyte surface markers by using flow cytometry. Additionally, mouse survival and cyst numbers in the brain of mice challenged 1 to 2 months postvaccination were determined. Results Specific humoral and cellular immune responses were elicited in mice immunized with single-, two-, or three-gene cocktail DNA vaccine, as indicated by significant increases in serum antibody concentrations of total IgG, IgG2a/IgG1 ratio, cytokine levels (IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-12, IL-4, and IL-10), lymphocyte proliferation, lymphocyte populations (CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes), CTL activities, and survival, as well as decreased brain cysts, in comparison with control mice. Moreover, compared with pVAX-GRA35 + pVAX-GRA42, pVAX-GRA42 + pVAX-GRA43, or pVAX-GRA35 + pVAX-GRA43, multicomponent DNA vaccine with three genes (pVAX-GRA35 + pVAX-GRA42 + pVAX-GRA43) induced the higher humoral and cellular immune responses, including serum antibody concentrations, cytokine levels, lymphocyte proliferation, lymphocyte populations, CTL activities and survival, resulting in prolonged survival time and reduced brain cyst loads. Furthermore, mice immunized with pVAX-GRA35 + pVAX-GRA42, pVAX-GRA42 + pVAX-GRA43, or pVAX-GRA35 + pVAX-GRA43 showed greater Th1 immune responses and protective efficacy than the single-gene-vaccinated groups. Conclusion These results demonstrate that TgGRA35, TgGRA42, or TgGRA43 are vaccine candidates against T. gondii infection, and the three-gene DNA vaccine cocktail conferred the strongest protection against T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youbo Shi
- The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Jianbing Li
- The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Weili Yang
- The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Jia Chen
- The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
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El Bissati K, Krishack PA, Zhou Y, Weber CR, Lykins J, Jankovic D, Edelblum KL, Fraczek L, Grover H, Chentoufi AA, Singh G, Reardon C, Dubey JP, Reed S, Alexander J, Sidney J, Sette A, Shastri N, McLeod R. CD4 + T Cell Responses to Toxoplasma gondii Are a Double-Edged Sword. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1485. [PMID: 37766162 PMCID: PMC10535856 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11091485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
CD4+ T cells have been found to play critical roles in the control of both acute and chronic Toxoplasma infection. Previous studies identified a protective role for the Toxoplasma CD4+ T cell-eliciting peptide AS15 (AVEIHRPVPGTAPPS) in C57BL/6J mice. Herein, we found that immunizing mice with AS15 combined with GLA-SE, a TLR-4 agonist in emulsion adjuvant, can be either helpful in protecting male and female mice at early stages against Type I and Type II Toxoplasma parasites or harmful (lethal with intestinal, hepatic, and spleen pathology associated with a storm of IL6). Introducing the universal CD4+ T cell epitope PADRE abrogates the harmful phenotype of AS15. Our findings demonstrate quantitative and qualitative features of an effective Toxoplasma-specific CD4+ T cell response that should be considered in testing next-generation vaccines against toxoplasmosis. Our results also are cautionary that individual vaccine constituents can cause severe harm depending on the company they keep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal El Bissati
- Institute of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Paulette A. Krishack
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (P.A.K.); (C.R.W.); (G.S.); (C.R.)
| | - Ying Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (Y.Z.); (J.L.); (L.F.); (R.M.)
| | - Christopher R. Weber
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (P.A.K.); (C.R.W.); (G.S.); (C.R.)
| | - Joseph Lykins
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (Y.Z.); (J.L.); (L.F.); (R.M.)
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Dragana Jankovic
- Immunoparasitology Unit, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| | - Karen L. Edelblum
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
- Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Laboratory Medicine, Department of Pathology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Laura Fraczek
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (Y.Z.); (J.L.); (L.F.); (R.M.)
| | - Harshita Grover
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; (H.G.); (N.S.)
| | - Aziz A. Chentoufi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa;
| | - Gurminder Singh
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (P.A.K.); (C.R.W.); (G.S.); (C.R.)
| | - Catherine Reardon
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (P.A.K.); (C.R.W.); (G.S.); (C.R.)
| | - J. P. Dubey
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Steve Reed
- Infectious Diseases Research Institute, 1616 Eastlake Ave E #400, Seattle, WA 98102, USA;
| | - Jeff Alexander
- PaxVax, 3985-A Sorrento Valley Blvd, San Diego, CA 92121, USA;
| | - John Sidney
- La Jolla Institute of Allergy and Immunology, 9420 Athena Cir, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (J.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Alessandro Sette
- La Jolla Institute of Allergy and Immunology, 9420 Athena Cir, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (J.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Nilabh Shastri
- Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; (H.G.); (N.S.)
| | - Rima McLeod
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; (Y.Z.); (J.L.); (L.F.); (R.M.)
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Chyb M, Dziadek B, Dzitko K, Ferra BT, Kawka M, Holec-Gąsior L, Gatkowska J. Evaluation of long-term immunity and protection against T. gondii after immunization with multivalent recombinant chimeric T. gondii proteins. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12976. [PMID: 37563166 PMCID: PMC10415312 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40147-z] [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: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis caused by the opportunistic, cosmopolitan protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most common parasitoses in the world. Although it may prove dangerous or even fatal for immunocompromised individuals, immunoprophylaxis for humans is still nonexistent. Thus, the aim of the current work was to assess the ability of two immunogenic recombinant chimeric T. gondii proteins, SAG2-GRA1-ROP1 (SGR) and SAG1-MIC1-MAG1-GRA2 (SMMG), selected in previous experiments to induce long-lasting immunity when administered with a safe adjuvant. Thus, the determination of immunological parameters and parasite challenge were performed both two weeks after the last boost injection and 6 months postvaccination. Both experimental vaccines triggered specific humoral and cellular responses in immunized C3H/HeOuJ male mice, characterized by the production of specific IgG (IgG1/IgG2a) antibodies in vivo and the synthesis of key Th1/Th2 cytokines by Toxoplasma lysate antigen-stimulated splenocytes in vitro. Although the levels of specific antibodies and cytokine release were in most cases lower six months postimmunization, the protection rates conferred by the vaccination were comparable regardless of the time after the administration of the last vaccine dose. The results indicate that both preparations induce long-lasting immunity, which makes them attractive candidates for further research aimed at boosting their immunogenicity and immunoprotective capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Chyb
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland
- Bio-Med-Chem Doctoral School of the University of Lodz and Lodz Institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland
| | - Bożena Dziadek
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Dzitko
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland
| | - Bartłomiej Tomasz Ferra
- Department of Tropical Parasitology, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine in Gdynia, Medical University of Gdańsk, Powstania Styczniowego 9B, 81-519, Gdynia, Poland
| | - Malwina Kawka
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland
| | - Lucyna Holec-Gąsior
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Justyna Gatkowska
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237, Łódź, Poland.
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Sun HC, Deng PM, Fu Y, Deng JH, Xie RH, Huang J, Qi M, Shi TY. Protective efficacy of Toxoplasma gondii GRA12 or GRA7 recombinant proteins encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles against acute Toxoplasma gondii infection in mice. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1209755. [PMID: 37502604 PMCID: PMC10368986 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1209755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan parasite that affects the health of humans and livestock, and an effective vaccine is urgently required. Nanoparticles can modulate and improve cellular and humoral immune responses. Methods In the current study, poly (D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles were used as a delivery system for the T. gondii dense granule antigens GRA12 and GRA7. BALB/c mice were injected with the vaccines and protective efficacy was evaluated. Results Mice immunized with PLGA+GRA12 exhibited significantly higher IgG, and a noticeable predominance of IgG2a over IgG1 was also observed. There was a 1.5-fold higher level of lymphocyte proliferation in PLGA+GRA12-injected mice compared to Alum+GRA12-immunized mice. Higher levels of IFN-g and IL-10 and a lower level of IL-4 were detected, indicating that Th1 and Th2 immune responses were induced but the predominant response was Th1. There were no significant differences between Alum+GRA7-immunized and PLGA+GRA7-immunized groups. Immunization with these four vaccines resulted in significantly reduced parasite loads, but they were lowest in PLGA+GRA12-immunized mice. The survival times of mice immunized with PLGA+GRA12 were also significantly longer than those of mice in the other vaccinated groups. Conclusion The current study indicated that T. gondii GRA12 recombinant protein encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles is a promising vaccine against acute toxoplasmosis, but PLGA is almost useless for enhancing the immune response induced by T. gondii GRA7 recombinant protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-chao Sun
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Parasitology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Pu-ming Deng
- Institute of Animal Science and Technology, Department of Animal Diseases Diagnosis and Control of Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, Tarim University, Alar, China
| | - Yuan Fu
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Parasitology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jin-hua Deng
- Institute of Animal Science and Technology, Department of Animal Diseases Diagnosis and Control of Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, Tarim University, Alar, China
| | - Rong-hui Xie
- Department of Animal Epidemic Surveillance, Zhejiang Provincial Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing Huang
- Department of Animal Epidemic Surveillance, Zhejiang Provincial Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Meng Qi
- Institute of Animal Science and Technology, Department of Animal Diseases Diagnosis and Control of Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps, Tarim University, Alar, China
| | - Tuan-yuan Shi
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Parasitology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
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9
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Sang X, Li X, Chen R, Feng Y, He T, Zhang X, El-Ashram S, Al-Olayan E, Yang N. Co-Immunization with DNA Vaccines Expressing SABP1 and SAG1 Proteins Effectively Enhanced Mice Resistance to Toxoplasma gondii Acute Infection. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1190. [PMID: 37515006 PMCID: PMC10384583 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11071190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) has many intermediate hosts, obligately invades nucleated cells, and seriously threatens human and animal health due to a lack of effective drugs and vaccines. Sialic acid-binding protein 1 (SABP1) is a novel invasion-related protein that, like surface antigen 1 (SAG1), is found on the plasma membrane of T. gondii. To investigate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of DNA vaccines expressing SABP1 and SAG1 proteins against T. gondii acute infection, the recombinant plasmids pVAX1-SABP1 and pVAX1-SAG1 were produced and administered intramuscularly in Balb/c mice. Serum antibody levels and subtypes, lymphocyte proliferation, and cytokines were used to assess immunized mice's humoral and cellular immune responses. Furthermore, the ability of DNA vaccines to protect mice against T. gondii RH tachyzoites was tested. Immunized mice exhibited substantially higher IgG levels, with IgG2a titers higher than IgG1. When the immune group mice's splenocytes were stimulated with T. gondii lysate antigen, Th1-type cytokines (IL-12p70, IFN-γ, and IL-2) and Th2-type cytokine (IL-4) increased significantly. The combined DNA vaccine significantly increased the immunized mouse survival compared to the control group, with an average death time extended by 4.33 ± 0.6 days (p < 0.0001). These findings show that DNA vaccines based on the SABP1 and SAG1 genes induced robust humoral and cellular immunity in mice, effectively protecting against acute toxoplasmosis and potentially serving as a viable option for vaccination to prevent T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Sang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Ran Chen
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Ying Feng
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Ting He
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Xiaohan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Saeed El-Ashram
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh 33516, Egypt
| | - Ebtsam Al-Olayan
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Na Yang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases, Shenyang Agricultural University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110866, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
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10
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Alijani M, Saffar B, Yosefi Darani H, Mahzounieh M, Fasihi-Ramandi M, Shakshi-Niaei M, Soltani S, Ghaemi A, Shirian S. Immunological evaluation of a novel multi-antigenic DNA vaccine encoding SAG1, SAG3, MIC4, GRA5, GRA7, AMA1and BAG1 against Toxoplasma gondii in BALB/c mice. Exp Parasitol 2023; 244:108409. [PMID: 36403800 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108409] [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: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Many recent studies have been conducted to find new DNA vaccines based on Toxoplasma gondii antigens. DNA vaccines encoding complex of different antigens showed better immune responses compared to single antigen vaccine. In this study, we constructed a DNA vaccine encoding SAG1, SAG3, MIC4, GRA5, GRA7, AMA1 and BAG1 against T. gondii, and evaluated the immune response it induced in BALB/c mice. For this purposes, thirty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups containing tenmice each. There were two negative control groups (PBSand pVAX1 vector) and one vaccination group (pVAX1-MAF, Multantigenic Fragment). On days 0, 14 and 28, the mice were immunized intramuscularly, and 5 weeks later they were challenged with T. gondii RH strain. The immune responses were evaluated using lymphocyte proliferation assay, T-cell subsets detection, and measurement of antibody and cytokine levels. The results showed that mice immunized with pVAX1-MAF developed high levels of IL-2, IL-12, IgG and IFN- γ as well as CD3+CD4+ T cells. In addition, the survival time of mice immunized by pVAX1-MAF was longer than that control mice. In conclusion, our results show that the multiple DNA vaccine encodingSAG1, SAG3, mic4, GRA5, GRA7, AMA and BAG1effectively enhanced humoral and cellular immune responses, and prolonged the survival time. Together this would suggest that further investigation may result in a promising candidate vaccine to treat toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammadreza Alijani
- Graduated Student of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran; Shiraz Molecular Pathology Research Center, Dr Daneshbod Path Lab, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Behnaz Saffar
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Hossein Yosefi Darani
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Esfahan University of Medical Science, Esfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Mahzounieh
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran.
| | - Mahdi Fasihi-Ramandi
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mostafa Shakshi-Niaei
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Sodabe Soltani
- Graduated Student of Genetics, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Amir Ghaemi
- Department of Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sadegh Shirian
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Pathology, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran; Shefa Neuroscience Research Center, Kahatm Al-Anbia Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
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11
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Belén LH, Beltrán JF, Pessoa A, Castillo RL, de Oliveira Rangel-Yagui C, Farías JG. Helicobacter pyloril-asparaginase: a study of immunogenicity from an in silico approach. 3 Biotech 2022; 12:286. [PMID: 36276451 PMCID: PMC9489821 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-022-03359-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori has become the causal agent of multiple forms of gastric disease worldwide, including gastric cancer. The enzyme l-asparaginase (ASNase) has been studied as a virulence factor. In this work, we performed an in silico investigation to characterize the immunological profile of H. pylori ASNase (HpASNase) to ascertain the possible implication of HpASNase immunogenicity in the H. pylori virulence mechanism. We applied a workflow based on bioinformatics tools, which, by calculating the relative frequency of immunogenic T-cell and B-cell epitopes, allowed us to predict the immunogenicity and allergenicity of HpASNase in silico. We also visualized the epitopes by mapping them into the native structure of the enzyme. We report for the first time the T-cell and B-cell epitope composition that contributes to the immunogenicity of this HpASNase, as well as the regions that could generate a hypersensitivity response in humans. ASNase from H. pylori resulted in highly immunogenic and allergenic. The high immunogenicity of HpASNase could imply the pathogenic mechanisms of H. pylori. This knowledge could be important for the development of new drugs against H. pylori infections. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-022-03359-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisandra Herrera Belén
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Santo Tomas, Santiago, Chile
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Avda. Francisco Salazar 01145, P.O. Box: 54-D, Temuco, Chile
| | - Jorge F. Beltrán
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Avda. Francisco Salazar 01145, P.O. Box: 54-D, Temuco, Chile
| | - Adalberto Pessoa
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidad de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo L. Castillo
- Department of Internal Medicine East, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carlota de Oliveira Rangel-Yagui
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidad de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jorge G. Farías
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Avda. Francisco Salazar 01145, P.O. Box: 54-D, Temuco, Chile
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12
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Hammed-Akanmu M, Mim M, Osman AY, Sheikh AM, Behmard E, Rabaan AA, Suppain R, Hajissa K. Designing a Multi-Epitope Vaccine against Toxoplasma gondii: An Immunoinformatics Approach. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10091389. [PMID: 36146470 PMCID: PMC9505382 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10091389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with the intracellular apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii causes serious clinical outcomes in both human and veterinary settings worldwide. Although approximately one-third of the world’s population is infected with T. gondii, an effective human vaccine for this disease remains unavailable. We aimed to design a potential T. gondii vaccine candidate that consisted of the B- and T-lymphocyte epitopes of three parasite immunogenic antigens. Firstly, the immunodominant epitopes expressed within the ROP2, MIC3, and GRA7 proteins of T. gondii were identified. Subsequently, six B-cell epitopes, five CTL epitopes, and five HTL epitopes were combined to generate a multi-epitope vaccine, and the 50S ribosomal protein L7/L12 was added as an adjuvant to boost the vaccine’s immunogenicity. All these epitopes were found to be antigenic, nonallergenic, nontoxic, and nonhuman homologs. The designed vaccine construct has a molecular weight of 51 kDa, an antigenicity score of 0.6182, and a solubility of 0.903461. Likewise, the candidate vaccine was immunogenic, nonallergenic, and stable. Molecular docking analysis revealed stable interactions between the vaccine construct and the TLR-4 immune receptor. Meanwhile, the stability of the developed vaccine was validated using molecular dynamics simulation. In silico, the vaccine construct was able to trigger primary immune responses. However, further laboratory-based assessments are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutiat Hammed-Akanmu
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Maria Mim
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Abdinasir Yusuf Osman
- The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK
| | - Abdulrahman M. Sheikh
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Esmaeil Behmard
- School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Ali A. Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Public Health and Nutrition, The University of Haripur, Haripur 22610, Pakistan
| | - Rapeah Suppain
- Department of Biomedicine, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (K.H.)
| | - Khalid Hajissa
- The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Omdurman Islamic University, Omdurman P.O. Box 382, Sudan
- Correspondence: (R.S.); (K.H.)
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13
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Live-attenuated ME49Δcdpk3 strain of Toxoplasma gondii protects against acute and chronic toxoplasmosis. NPJ Vaccines 2022; 7:98. [PMID: 35986017 PMCID: PMC9391373 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-022-00518-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, a common parasitic disease, is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which infects approximately 30% of the world’s population. This obligate intracellular protozoan causes significant economic losses and poses serious public health challenges worldwide. However, the development of an effective toxoplasmosis vaccine in humans remains a challenge to date. In this study, we observed that the knockout of calcium-dependent protein kinase 3 (CDPK3) in the type II ME49 strain greatly attenuated virulence in mice and significantly reduced cyst formation. Hence, we evaluated the protective immunity of ME49Δcdpk3 as a live attenuated vaccine against toxoplasmosis. Our results showed that ME49Δcdpk3 vaccination triggered a strong immune response marked by significantly elevated proinflammatory cytokine levels, such as IFN-γ, IL-12, and TNF-α, and increased the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes. The high level of Toxoplasma-specific IgG was maintained, with mixed IgG1/IgG2a levels. Mice vaccinated with ME49Δcdpk3 were efficiently protected against the tachyzoites of a variety of wild-type strains, including type I RH, type II ME49, Chinese 1 WH3 and Chinese 1 WH6, as well as the cysts of wild-type strains ME49 and WH6. These data demonstrated that ME49Δcdpk3 inoculation induced effective cellular and humoral immune responses against acute and chronic Toxoplasma infections with various strains and was a potential candidate to develop a vaccine against toxoplasmosis.
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14
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Pinello JF, Clark TG. HAP2-Mediated Gamete Fusion: Lessons From the World of Unicellular Eukaryotes. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:807313. [PMID: 35071241 PMCID: PMC8777248 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.807313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Most, if not all the cellular requirements for fertilization and sexual reproduction arose early in evolution and are retained in extant lineages of single-celled organisms including a number of important model organism species. In recent years, work in two such species, the green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, and the free-living ciliate, Tetrahymena thermophila, have lent important new insights into the role of HAP2/GCS1 as a catalyst for gamete fusion in organisms ranging from protists to flowering plants and insects. Here we summarize the current state of knowledge around how mating types from these algal and ciliate systems recognize, adhere and fuse to one another, current gaps in our understanding of HAP2-mediated gamete fusion, and opportunities for applying what we know in practical terms, especially for the control of protozoan parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer F. Pinello
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Theodore G. Clark
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
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15
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Sun HC, Huang J, Fu Y, Hao LL, Liu X, Shi TY. Enhancing Immune Responses to a DNA Vaccine Encoding Toxoplasma gondii GRA7 Using Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticles as an Adjuvant. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:787635. [PMID: 34976863 PMCID: PMC8716823 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.787635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infects almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans. DNA vaccines are an effective strategy against T. gondii infection, but these vaccines have often been poorly immunogenic due to the poor distribution of plasmids or degradation by lysosomes. It is necessary to evaluate the antigen delivery system for optimal vaccination strategy. Nanoparticles (NPs) have been shown to modulate and enhance the cellular humoral immune response. Here, we studied the immunological properties of calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CaPNs) as nanoadjuvants to enhance the protective effect of T. gondii dense granule protein (GRA7). BALB/c mice were injected three times and then challenged with T. gondii RH strain tachyzoites. Mice vaccinated with GRA7-pEGFP-C2+nano-adjuvant (CaPNs) showed a strong cellular immune response, as monitored by elevated levels of anti-T. gondii-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG), a higher IgG2a-to-IgG1 ratio, elevated interleukin (IL)-12 and interferon (IFN)-γ production, and low IL-4 levels. We found that a significantly higher level of splenocyte proliferation was induced by GRA7-pEGFP-C2+nano-adjuvant (CaPNs) immunization, and a significantly prolonged survival time and decreased parasite burden were observed in vaccine-immunized mice. These data indicated that CaPN-based immunization with T. gondii GRA7 is a promising approach to improve vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Chao Sun
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Science, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing Huang
- Department of Animal Epidemic Surveillance, Zhejiang Provincial Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuan Fu
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Science, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li-Li Hao
- College of Life Science and Technology, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xin Liu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tuan-Yuan Shi
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Science, Hangzhou, China
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16
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Fatollahzadeh M, Eskandarian A, Darani HY, Pagheh AS, Ahmadpour E. Evaluation of Th17 immune responses of recombinant DNA vaccine encoding GRA14 and ROP13 genes against Toxoplasma gondii in BALB/c mice. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2021; 96:105150. [PMID: 34801755 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.105150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, a worldwide opportunistic parasite, causes serious diseases in both humans and fetuses with defective immune systems. The development of an effective vaccine is urgently required to prevent and control the spread of toxoplasmosis, caused by the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii which is one of the most damaging zoonotic diseases of global importance. Plasmid DNA vaccination is a promising procedure for vaccine development and following the previous studies, pcROP13 + pcGRA14 cocktail DNA vaccine was evaluated for Th17 immune responses. Four groups of BALB/c mice were immunized intramuscularly three times at 2-week intervals. Subsequently, the production of anti- T. gondii antibodies and serum levels of cytokines IL-17, and IL-22 were evaluated against the RH strain of T. gondii. In addition, both the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and parasite load were assessed using ELISA and Q-PCR, respectively. The results of this study showed that high levels of IgG were found in mice immunized with cocktail DNA vaccine (p < 0.05). The cytokines level of Th17, IL-17, and IL-22, increased remarkably in the immunized mice (p < 0.05). Also, significant induction (p < 0.05) was observed in ROS. In addition, immunization with pcROP13 + GRA14 resulted in a considerable decrease in parasite load compared to the control groups (p < 0.05). Based on the results, the pcROP13 + GRA14 cocktail DNA vaccine induced Th17 related cytokines and decreased the parasite load in spleen and brain tissues. Hence, pcGRA14 + pcROP13 cocktails are suitable candidates for DNA-based vaccines and due to the development of protective immune responses against T. gondii infection, future studies may yield promising results using these antigens in vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Fatollahzadeh
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Abbasali Eskandarian
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Hossein Yousofi Darani
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Abdol Sattar Pagheh
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Ehsan Ahmadpour
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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17
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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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18
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Saadatmand M, Al-Awsi GRL, Alanazi AD, Sepahvand A, Shakibaie M, Shojaee S, Mohammadi R, Mahmoudvand H. Green synthesis of zinc nanoparticles using Lavandula angustifolia Vera. Extract by microwave method and its prophylactic effects on Toxoplasma gondii infection. Saudi J Biol Sci 2021; 28:6454-6460. [PMID: 34764762 PMCID: PMC8568829 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Today, a suitable vaccine has not yet been discovered to prevent Toxoplasma gondii infection. Therefore, prophylaxis can be suggested as the preferred approach to prevent toxoplasmosis. This study aims to evaluate the prophylactic effects of synthesized zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs) using Lavandula angustifolia Vera., by microwave method on chronic toxoplasmosis in mice. Methods BALB/c Mice orally administrated with ZnNPs the doses of 32.5, 75, 150 mg/kg/day for two weeks. On the 15th day, the mice were intraperitoneally infected with the Tehran strain of T. gondii (25 tissue cysts). The mean diameter and the numbers of brain tissue cysts, as well as the mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthesize (iNOs), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in mice of each experimental group were evaluated. Results The synthesized ZnNPs represent a spherical form with a size ranging from 30 to 80 nm. The results revealed that oral administration of Zn NPs at the doses of 32.5 (p < 0.001) and 75 mg/kg/day (p < 0.001) for 14 days significantly reduced the mean number and diameter of the brain tissue cysts in tested mice. No T. gondii tissue cyst was observed after oral administration of Zn NPs at the doses of 150 mg/kg. Based on the results of Real-time PCR analysis, the expression level of IFN-γ and iNOs was significantly increased (p < 0.001) in mice treated with 32.5, 75, 150 mg/kg/day for two weeks. Conclusion The obtained findings of the current investigation exhibit the significant prophylactic effects of ZnNPs against chronic toxoplasmosis in mice; so that oral administration of ZnNPs the doses 32.5, 75, 150 mg/kg reduced the parasite load and even completely controlled the infection in mice. The results show that the ZnNPs had strengthened the innate immune system which could be the reason for its strong prophylactic effects. However, further in vivo and clinical investigations are required to confirm these results as well as other possible mechanisms that can trigger these pharmacological properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massumeh Saadatmand
- Student Research Committee, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | | | - Abdullah D Alanazi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Humanities, Shaqra University, P.O. Box 1040, Ad-Dawadimi 11911, Saudi Arabia
| | - Asghar Sepahvand
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Shakibaie
- Pharmaceutical Sciences and Cosmetic Products Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.,Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Shojaee
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rasool Mohammadi
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health and Nutrition, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Hossein Mahmoudvand
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
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19
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Zhu YC, Ma LJ, Zhang JL, Liu JF, He Y, Feng JY, Chen J. Protective Immunity Induced by TgMIC5 and TgMIC16 DNA Vaccines Against Toxoplasmosis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:686004. [PMID: 34595126 PMCID: PMC8476850 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.686004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite, which is responsible for a widely distributed zoonosis. Effective vaccines against toxoplasmosis are necessary to protect the public health. The aim of this study is to evaluate the immune efficacy of DNA vaccines encoding TgMIC5 and TgMIC16 genes against T. gondii infection. The recombinant plasmid pVAX-MIC5 and pVAX-MIC16 were constructed and injected intramuscularly in mice. The specific immune responses and protection against challenge with T. gondii RH tachyzoites were evaluated by measuring the cytokine levels, serum antibody concentrations, lymphocyte proliferation, lymphocyte populations, and the survival time. The protection against challenge with the T. gondii RH tchyzoites and PRU cysts was examined by evaluation of the reduction in the brain cyst burden. The results indicated that immunized mice showed significantly increased levels of IgG, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-12p70, and IL-12p40 and percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Additionally, vaccination prolonged the mouse survival time and reduced brain cysts compared with controls. Mouse groups immunized with a two-gene cocktail of pVAX-MIC5 + pVAX-MIC16 were more protected than mouse groups immunized with a single gene of pVAX-MIC5 or pVAX-MIC16. These results demonstrate that TgMIC5 and TgMIC16 induce effective immunity against toxoplasmosis and may serve as a good vaccine candidate against T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chao Zhu
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, China
| | - Li-Juan Ma
- Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Oncology, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Ji-Li Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, China
| | - Jian-Fa Liu
- Immunology Innovation Team, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, China
| | - Yong He
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, China
| | - Ji-Ye Feng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, China.,Immunology Innovation Team, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, China
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20
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Zhu Y, Xu Y, Hong L, Zhou C, Chen J. Immunization With a DNA Vaccine Encoding the Toxoplasma gondii' s GRA39 Prolongs Survival and Reduce Brain Cyst Formation in a Murine Model. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:630682. [PMID: 33995293 PMCID: PMC8113873 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.630682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, can cause infect almost all warm-blooded animals and humans. To evaluate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of T. gondii GRA39 (TgGRA39) in mice by using DNA immunization, we constructed a recombinant eukaryotic plasmid pVAX-TgGRA39. The specific immune responses in immunized mice were analyzed by serum antibody and cytokine measurements, lymphocyte proliferation assays and flow cytometry of T lymphocyte subclasses. Also, protective efficacy against acute and chronic T. gondii infection was assessed by observing the survival time after challenge with the highly virulent T. gondii RH strain (Genotype I) and counting the number of cyst-forming in brain at 4 weeks post-infection with the cyst-forming PRU strain of T. gondii (Genotype II), respectively. Our results showed that DNA immunization with pVAX-GRA39 via intramuscular injection three times, at 2-week intervals could elicit humoral and cellular immune response, indicated by enhanced levels of IgG and IgG2a antibodies (a slightly elevated IgG2a to IgG1 ratio), and increased levels of cytokines IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-12, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22 and IL-23 and percentages of CD3+ CD4+ CD8- and CD3+ CD8+ CD4– T cells, in contrast to non-immunized mice. The significant increase in the expression levels of IL-6, TGF-β1, IL-1β, and the transcription factor factors RORγt, RORα, and STAT3 involved in the activation and pathway of Th17 and Tc17 cells, were also observed. However, no significant difference was detected in level of IL-4 and IL-10 (p > 0.05). These effective immune responses had mounted protective immunity against T. gondii infection, with a prolonged survival time (16.80 ± 3.50 days) and reduced cyst numbers (44.5%) in comparison to the control mice. Our data indicated that pVAX-TgGRA39 could induce effective humoral, and Th1-type, Th17, and Tc17 cellular immune responses, and may represent a promising vaccine candidate against both acute and chronic T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchao Zhu
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yanan Xu
- The Ningbo Women and Children's Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Lu Hong
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Chunxue Zhou
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.,The Ningbo Women and Children's Hospital, Ningbo, China
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21
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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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22
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Pagheh AS, Daryani A, Alizadeh P, Hassannia H, Rodrigues Oliveira SM, Kazemi T, Rezaei F, Pereira MDL, Ahmadpour E. Protective effect of a DNA vaccine cocktail encoding ROP13 and GRA14 with Alum nano-adjuvant against Toxoplasma gondii infection in mice. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2021; 132:105920. [PMID: 33421633 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2021.105920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that can cause serious public health problems. The development of a safe and effective vaccine against T. gondii is urgently needed to prevent and control the spread of toxoplasmosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immune responses induced by a pcGRA14 + pcROP13 vaccine cocktail in BALB/c mice. All groups were immunized intramuscularly three times at two-week intervals. The production of anti-Toxoplasma gondii lysate antigen (TLA) antibodies, lymphocyte proliferation, serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 cytokines and the survival time were monitored after vaccination and challenged with the virulent RH strain of T. gondii. The results showed that immunization with the pcGRA14 + pcROP13 DNA vaccine significantly increased the production of specific IgG antibodies and cytokines against toxoplasmosis. Interestingly, high levels of IgG2a and IFN-γ were found in animals vaccinated with DNA vaccine cocktail. Furthermore, immunized mice challenged with the RH strain of T. gondii showed prolonged survival time when compared to control groups (P <0.05). The present study demonstrates the potential of a DNA cocktail vaccine expressing pcGRA14 and pcROP13 in developing specific immune responses and providing effective protection against T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdol Sattar Pagheh
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Paria Alizadeh
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hadi Hassannia
- Amol Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | | | - Tohid Kazemi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Maria de Lourdes Pereira
- CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ehsan Ahmadpour
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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23
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Barros M, Teixeira D, Vilanova M, Correia A, Teixeira N, Borges M. Vaccines in Congenital Toxoplasmosis: Advances and Perspectives. Front Immunol 2021; 11:621997. [PMID: 33658997 PMCID: PMC7917294 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.621997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital toxoplasmosis has a high impact on human disease worldwide, inducing serious consequences from fetus to adulthood. Despite this, there are currently no human vaccines available to prevent this infection. Most vaccination studies against Toxoplasma gondii infection used animal models in which the infection was established by exogenous inoculation. Here, we review recent research on potential T. gondii vaccines using animal models in which infection was congenitally established. Endeavors in this field have so far revealed that live or subunit vaccines previously found to confer protection against extrinsically established infections can also protect, at least partially, from vertically transmitted infection. Nevertheless, there is no consensus on the more adequate immune response to protect the host and the fetus in congenital infection. Most of the vaccination studies rely on the assessment of maternal systemic immune responses, quantification of parasitic loads in the fetuses, and survival indexes and/or brain parasitic burden in the neonates. More research must be carried out not only to explore new vaccines but also to further study the nature of the elicited immune protection at the maternal-fetal interface. Particularly, the cellular and molecular effector mechanisms at the maternal-fetal interface induced by immunization remain poorly characterized. Deeper knowledge on the immune response at this specific location will certainly help to refine the vaccine-induced immunity and, consequently, to provide the most effective and safest protection against T. gondii vertical infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Barros
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Daniela Teixeira
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Manuel Vilanova
- Immunobiology Group, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Departamento de Imuno-Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Alexandra Correia
- Immunobiology Group, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Departamento de Imuno-Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Natercia Teixeira
- Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit/Rede de Química e Tecnologia (UCIBIO/REQUIMTE), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Margarida Borges
- Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit/Rede de Química e Tecnologia (UCIBIO/REQUIMTE), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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24
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Dodangeh S, Fasihi-Ramandi M, Daryani A, Valadan R, Asgarian-Omran H, Hosseininejad Z, Nayeri Chegeni T, Pagheh AS, Javidnia J, Sarvi S. Protective efficacy by a novel multi-epitope vaccine, including MIC3, ROP8, and SAG1, against acute Toxoplasma gondii infection in BALB/c mice. Microb Pathog 2021; 153:104764. [PMID: 33548480 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.104764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular apicomplexan parasite, which can cause a serious infectious disease in pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals. Therefore, the development of a polyvalent vaccine consisting of all stages of the parasite life cycle using the epitopes from tachyzoites, bradyzoites, and sporozoites is likely to be required for complete protective immunity. In this study, we designed protein vaccine candidate based on the prediction of specific epitopes (i.e., B cell and T cell) from three Toxoplasma gondii antigens. The MRS protein (MIC3: 30-180, ROP8: 85-185, and SAG1: 85-235) was expressed in Escherichia coli, and purification was performed using a HisTrap HP column and then we evaluated immunogenicity and protective property in BALB/c mice. Seventy-two mice were randomly divided into six groups, including three vaccinations (i.e., MRS, MRS-Freund, and MRS-Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticles (MRS-CaPNs)) and three control (i.e., Phosphate-buffered saline, Freund, and CaPNs) groups. All groups were immunized three times via subcutaneous injection within three-week intervals. In the vaccination groups, the BALB/c mice were injected with 20 μg of MRS protein for the first time and 10 μg of MRS for the next two times. Antibodies, cytokines, and splenocytes proliferation in the immunized mice were assayed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Protective efficacy was analyzed by challenging the immunized mice with T. gondii of RH strain. Antibody, cytokine, and lymphocyte proliferation assays showed that the mice immunized with MRS induced stronger humoral and T helper type 1 cell-mediated immune responses, compared to the control mice. However, co-immunization with adjuvants (i.e., Freund and CaNPs) resulted in impaired immune responses. Effective protection against the parasite achieved an increase in survival time in the immunized mice, especially in the MRS-CaNPs group. The obtained results of the present study demonstrated that multi-epitope protein vaccination, MRS, is a potential strategy against toxoplasmosis infection. In addition, the vaccine co-delivered with CaPNs could provide an important key for vaccine candidate to control T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Dodangeh
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Children Growth Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran; Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mahdi Fasihi-Ramandi
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Reza Valadan
- Immunogenetics Research Center, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Hossein Asgarian-Omran
- Immunogenetics Research Center, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Zahra Hosseininejad
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Tooran Nayeri Chegeni
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Abdol Sattar Pagheh
- Infectious Disease Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Javad Javidnia
- Department of Medical Mycology, Invasive Fungi Research Center, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
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25
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Song PX, Yao SH, Yao Y, Zhou J, Li QF, Cao YH, He SY. Epitope Analysis and Efficacy Evaluation of Phosphatase 2C (PP2C) DNA Vaccine Against Toxoplasma gondii Infection. J Parasitol 2021; 106:513-521. [PMID: 32791522 DOI: 10.1645/18-210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infects almost all warm-blooded animals and negatively affects the health of a wide range of these animals, including humans. Protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C) is a T. gondii protein secreted by rhoptry organelles during host cell invasion. However, very little is known about whether this protein can induce protective immunity against T. gondii. In this study, bioinformatics analysis of PP2C revealed some useful information in the context of anti-toxoplasmosis treatments and vaccine research. In addition, the PP2C gene was amplified, and a eukaryotic expression vector (pEGFP-PP2C) was successfully constructed to express PP2C. Finally, the constructed pEGFP-PP2C was injected into mice to evaluate whether it could induce immunoprotection. Compared with the control groups, we found that immunizations with the pEGFP-PP2C plasmid could elicit specific IgG antibodies and cytokines against T. gondii infection. The survival of mice immunized with the pEGFP-PP2C plasmid was significantly prolonged compared with that of the control group mice. Based on the ability of pEGFP-PP2C to induce specific immune responses against T. gondii, we propose that PP2C merits consideration as a potential vaccine candidate against toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- P X Song
- Department of Medicine, Quzhou College of Technology, Quzhou, Zhejiang 324000, People's Republic of China.,Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Basic Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - S H Yao
- Department of Medicine, Quzhou College of Technology, Quzhou, Zhejiang 324000, People's Republic of China
| | - Y Yao
- Department of Medical Test, Shandong Medical College, Linyi, Shandong 276000, People's Republic of China
| | - J Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, People's Republic of China
| | - Q F Li
- Department of Medicine, Quzhou College of Technology, Quzhou, Zhejiang 324000, People's Republic of China
| | - Y H Cao
- Department of Medicine, Quzhou College of Technology, Quzhou, Zhejiang 324000, People's Republic of China
| | - S Y He
- Department of Parasitology, Shandong University School of Basic Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People's Republic of China
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26
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The Immunogenic and Immunoprotective Activities of Recombinant Chimeric T. gondii Proteins Containing AMA1 Antigen Fragments. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8040724. [PMID: 33276579 PMCID: PMC7761622 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, one of the most common parasitoses worldwide, is potentially dangerous for individuals with a weakened immune system, but specific immunoprophylaxis intended for humans is still lacking. Thus, efforts have been made to create an efficient universal vaccine for both animals and humans to overcome the shortcomings of currently used treatment methods and protect all hosts against toxoplasmosis. The current work represents a relatively new approach to vaccine development based on recombinant chimeric Toxoplasma gondii antigens. In the present research, three tetravalent chimeric proteins containing different portions of the parasite’s AMA1 antigen—AMA1domainI-SAG2-GRA1-ROP1L (ANSGR), AMA1domainsII,III-SAG2-GRA1-ROP1L (ACSGR) and AMA1fullprotein-SAG2-GRA1-ROP1L (AFSGR)—were tested for their immunogenic and immunoprotective capacities. All tested proteins were immunogenic, as evidenced by the triggering of specific humoral and cellular immune responses in vaccinated C3H/HeOuJ mice, defined by the production of specific IgG (IgG1/IgG2a) antibodies in vivo and synthesis of key Th1/Th2 cytokines by Toxoplasma lysate antigen-stimulated splenocytes in vitro. Although all tested preparations provided partial protection against chronic toxoplasmosis in immunized and T. gondii-challenged mice, the intensity of the generated immunoprotection depended on the fragment of the AMA1 antigen incorporated into the chimeric antigen’s structure.
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27
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Toxoplasma gondii ROP38 protein: Bioinformatics analysis for vaccine design improvement against toxoplasmosis. Microb Pathog 2020; 149:104488. [PMID: 32916240 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Rhoptry proteins (ROPs) play a significant role in various stages of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) life cycle, being critical for both invasion and intracellular survival. ROP38 is a key manipulator of host gene expression and has a function in tachyzoite to bradyzoite conversion. In this study, we've employed various bioinformatics online tools for immunogenicity prediction of ROP38 protein, comprising physico-chemical, antigenic and allergenic profiles, transmembrane domain, subcellular localization, post-translational modification (PTM) sites, secondary and 3D structure, B-cell, MHC-binding and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes. The findings showed 54 PTM sites without a transmembrane domain. Also, ROP38 was proved a non-allergenic and antigenic protein. The protein had Sec signal peptide (Sec/SPI) with 0.8762 likelihood. The secondary structure included 52.68% random coil, 29.57% alpha helix and 17.74% extended strand. Based on Ramachandran plot output for refined model, 95.3%, 3.4%, and 1.4% of amino acid residues were incorporated in the favored, allowed, and outlier regions, respectively. B-cell epitopes TFPGDDIQTSS (67-72) and KAKNKWGRTRYTLQG (207-221) as well as T-cell epitope LSPVGFFTAL (6-15) possessed the highest antigenic index in the protein sequence. This paper is a premise for further researches, and provides insights for the development of a suitable vaccine against toxoplasmosis. More empirical studies are required using the ROP38 alone or in combination with other antigens/epitopes in the future.
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28
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Ghaffari AD, Dalimi A, Ghaffarifar F, Pirestani M. Antigenic properties of dense granule antigen 12 protein using bioinformatics tools in order to improve vaccine design against Toxoplasma gondii. Clin Exp Vaccine Res 2020; 9:81-96. [PMID: 32864364 PMCID: PMC7445328 DOI: 10.7774/cevr.2020.9.2.81] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic parasite infecting all warm-blooded animals including humans. The dense granule antigens (GRAs) play an important role in parasite survival and virulence and in forming the parasitophorous vacuole. Identification of protein characteristics increases our knowledge about them and leads to develop the vaccine and diagnostic studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS This paper gave a comprehensive definition of the important aspects of GRA12 protein, including physico-chemical features, a transmembrane domain, subcellular position, secondary and tertiary structure, potential epitopes of B-cells and T-cells, and other important features of this protein using different and reliable bioinformatics methods to determine potential epitopes for designing of a high-efficient vaccine. RESULTS The findings showed that GRA12 protein had 53 potential post-translational modification sites. Also, only one transmembrane domain was recognized for this protein. The secondary structure of GRA12 protein comprises 35.55% alpha-helix, 19.50% extended strand, and 44.95% random coil. Moreover, several potential B- and T-cell epitopes were identified for GRA12. Based on the results of the Ramachandran plot, 79.26% of amino acid residues were located in favored, 11.85% in allowed and 8.89% in outlier regions. Furthermore, the results of the antigenicity and allergenicity assessment noted that GRA12 is immunogenic and non-allergenic. CONCLUSION This research provided important basic and conceptual data on GRA12 to develop an effective vaccine against acute and chronic toxoplasmosis for further in vivo investigations. More studies are required on vaccine development using the GRA12 alone or combined with other antigens in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Dalir Ghaffari
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdolhossein Dalimi
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ghaffarifar
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Pirestani
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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Sander VA, Sánchez López EF, Mendoza Morales L, Ramos Duarte VA, Corigliano MG, Clemente M. Use of Veterinary Vaccines for Livestock as a Strategy to Control Foodborne Parasitic Diseases. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:288. [PMID: 32670892 PMCID: PMC7332557 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Foodborne diseases (FBDs) are a major concern worldwide since they are associated with high mortality and morbidity in the human population. Among the causative agents of FBDs, Taenia solium, Echinococcus granulosus, Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium spp., and Trichinella spiralis are listed in the top global risk ranking of foodborne parasites. One common feature between them is that they affect domestic livestock, encompassing an enormous risk to global food production and human health from farm to fork, infecting animals, and people either directly or indirectly. Several approaches have been employed to control FBDs caused by parasites, including veterinary vaccines for livestock. Veterinary vaccines against foodborne parasites not only improve the animal health by controlling animal infections but also contribute to increase public health by controlling an important source of FBDs. In the present review, we discuss the advances in the development of veterinary vaccines for domestic livestock as a strategy to control foodborne parasitic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Marina Clemente
- Laboratorio de Molecular Farming y Vacunas, Unidad Biotecnológica 6-UB6, INTECH, UNSAM-CONICET, Chascomús, Argentina
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Zhu YC, He Y, Liu JF, Chen J. Adjuvantic cytokine IL-33 improves the protective immunity of cocktailed DNA vaccine of ROP5 and ROP18 against toxoplasma gondii infection in mice. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 27:26. [PMID: 32315596 PMCID: PMC7174000 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2020021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a threat for immunocompromized individuals, and no treatment is available for enhancing immunity against infection. Molecular adjuvants may improve the efficacy of DNA vaccine-induced T cell immunity. Here, we report that cocktailed DNA immunization with ROP5 and ROP18 boosted immune responses induced by a single DNA immunization with ROP5 or ROP18, but also that co-administration of molecular adjuvant IL-33 enhanced immune efficacy induced by this cocktailed DNA vaccination. These improved immune responses were characterized by higher Toxoplasma-specific IgG2a titers, Th1 responses associated with the production of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-12, as well as cell-mediated activity with higher frequencies of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. More importantly, this enhanced immunity has the ability to confer remarkable protection against a high dose lethal challenge of the T. gondii RH strain and thus against chronic infection with the T. gondii PRU strain. These data show that IL-33 is a promising immunoadjuvant to facilitate humoral as well as cellular immunity in a vaccine setting against T. gondii, and suggest that it should be evaluated in strategies against other apicomplexan parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chao Zhu
- Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Yong He
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University Medical School, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Jian-Fa Liu
- Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Jia Chen
- Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, PR China - Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University Medical School, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, PR China
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31
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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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32
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Maraghi S, Ghadiri AA, Tavalla M, Shojaee S, Abdizadeh R. Evaluation of immunogenicity and protective effect of DNA vaccine encoding surface antigen1 (SAG1) of Toxoplasma gondii and TLR-5 ligand as a genetic adjuvant against acute toxoplasmosis in BALB/c mice. Biologicals 2019; 62:39-49. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2019.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
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Rezaei F, Sharif M, Sarvi S, Hejazi SH, Aghayan S, Pagheh AS, Dodangeh S, Daryani A. A systematic review on the role of GRA proteins of Toxoplasma gondii in host immunization. J Microbiol Methods 2019; 165:105696. [PMID: 31442457 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2019.105696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread obligatory intracellular parasite infecting humans and most of all other warm-blooded animals. Currently there is no any accepted vaccine for prevention of T. gondii infection. Many studies are focused on using of various excretory secretory antigens (ESA); and among them dense granule antigens (GRAs) being involved in parasite survival, virulence and replication processes, are considered as one of the predominant vaccine candidates. The aim of this systematic review is to prepare more comprehensive understanding of these antigens to reduce T. gondii infection in humans and animals. English databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Scopus, ISI Web of Science were systematically searched and papers evaluating GRA antigens published until June 2019 were selected. Evaluation of selected publications revealed that GRA4 and GRA7 substantially increased survival time of the experimental animals. It is noticeable that the maximum reduction in cyst burden was observed in BALB/c mice vaccinated with combination of GRA3, GRA7 and M2AP antigens (93.5%). GRA6 and GRA10 have shown high immunogenicity and GRA1 and 2 are important for virulence and induction of immune responses. This review will be helpful for researchers to conduct more effective studies in the field of immunization against T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Rezaei
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Department of Parasitology & Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Students Research Committee, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mahdi Sharif
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Seyed Hossein Hejazi
- Skin Diseases and Leishmaniosis Research Center, Department of Parasitology & Mycology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Sargis Aghayan
- Laboratory of Zoology, Research Institute of Biology, Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Abdol Sattar Pagheh
- Infectious Disease Research Center, Birjand University Of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Samira Dodangeh
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Sari Medical School, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
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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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Yang WB, Wang JL, Gui Q, Zou Y, Chen K, Liu Q, Liang QL, Zhu XQ, Zhou DH. Immunization With a Live-Attenuated RH:Δ NPT1 Strain of Toxoplasma gondii Induces Strong Protective Immunity Against Toxoplasmosis in Mice. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1875. [PMID: 31456786 PMCID: PMC6701201 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, one of the most important health-threatening diseases worldwide, is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which infects a wide range of warm-blooded animals and humans, leading to enormous health and socioeconomic concerns. T. gondii can establish chronic infection to evade the immune response in hosts. Once a chronic infection has been established, the available treatments cannot efficiently control this stage of T. gondii efficiently. Moreover, the available treatments rely only on a few drugs, such as sulfapyridine and pyrimethamine, that tend to have severe side effects. Given these factors, vaccination has been considered to be the most efficient method to prevent and control this disease. However, there is currently lack of effective vaccine available for use to prevent toxoplasmosis apart form Toxovax®, the only available vaccine, which is used in sheep to prevent abortion. To address this problem, we knocked out the NPT1 gene of the type I T. gondii strain using the CRISPR-Cas9 system, constructed a live-attenuated vaccine and evaluated its protective efficacy in a mouse model. Immunization of mice with RH:ΔNPT1 induced a high level of Toxoplasma-specific IgG1, IgG2a and total IgG 42 days after immunization. There was a significant increase in the levels of cytokines in the splenocyte suspensions of RH:ΔNPT1-infected mice, and a mixed Th1/Th2 response was induced in the mice. Remarkably, after heterologous challenges with tachyzoites of the RH, PYS and Pru strains and cysts of the Pru strain by different infection routes, the immunized animals were protected from toxoplasmosis with a 100% survival rate, in both acute and chronic infection. In addition, compared with control mice, the Pru cyst load was clearly reduced in the brains of RH:ΔNPT1-infected immunization-mice. Our study demonstrated that the RH:ΔNPT1 strain was able to evoke strong anti-Toxoplasma immune responses and provide effective protection against parasite strains with different levels of virulence, suggesting that the RH:ΔNPT1 strain may represent a promising live-attenuated vaccine against toxoplasmosis, which is worthy of further evaluation in food-producing animals and in definitive feline host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Bin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Fujian-Taiwan Animal Pathogen Biology, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin-Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qian Gui
- Department of Microbiology and Microbial Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Kai Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qing Liu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, China
| | - Qin-Li Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Dong-Hui Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Fujian-Taiwan Animal Pathogen Biology, College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
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Alizadeh P, Ahmadpour E, Daryani A, Kazemi T, Spotin A, Mahami-Oskouei M, Flynn RJ, Azadi Y, Rajabi S, Sandoghchian S. IL-17 and IL-22 elicited by a DNA vaccine encoding ROP13 associated with protection against Toxoplasma gondii in BALB/c mice. J Cell Physiol 2019; 234:10782-10788. [PMID: 30565688 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular parasitic protozoan, is capable of infecting man and all warm-blooded animals. Cell-mediated immunity is vital in mounting protective responses against T. gondii infection. Recent studies have shown that T-helper (Th) 17 responses may play a key role in parasite control. In this current study, we constructed a DNA vaccine encoding T. gondii ROP13 in a pcDNA vector. Groups of BALB/c mice were immunized intramuscularly with pcROP13 or controls and challenged with the RH strain of T. gondii. The results showed that immunization with pcROP13 could elicit an antibody response against T. gondii. The expression of the canonical Th17 cytokines, interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-22, were significantly increased after immunization with pcROP13 compared with control groups ( p < 0.05). Furthermore, vaccination resulted in a significant decrease in parasite load ( p < 0.05). The induction of Th17 related cytokines, using a ROP13 DNA vaccine, against T. gondii should be considered as a potential vaccine approach for the control of toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paria Alizadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ehsan Ahmadpour
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Tohid Kazemi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Adel Spotin
- Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Mahami-Oskouei
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Robin J Flynn
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Yaghob Azadi
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Saba Rajabi
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Siamak Sandoghchian
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Innes EA, Hamilton C, Garcia JL, Chryssafidis A, Smith D. A one health approach to vaccines against Toxoplasma gondii. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2019; 15:e00053. [PMID: 32095623 PMCID: PMC7034027 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2019.e00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a serious disease with global impact, now recognised as one of the most important food borne diseases worldwide and a major cause of production loss in livestock. A one health approach to develop a vaccination programme to tackle toxoplasmosis is an attractive and realistic prospect. Knowledge of disease epidemiology, parasite transmission routes and main risk groups has helped to target key host species and outcomes for a vaccine programme and these would be to prevent/reduce congenital disease in women and sheep; prevent/reduce T. gondii tissue cysts in food animal species and to prevent/reduce T. gondii oocyst shedding in cats. Most animals, including humans, develop good protective immunity following infection, involving cell mediated immune responses, which may explain why live vaccines are generally more effective to protect against T. gondii. Recent advances in our knowledge of parasite genetics and gene manipulation, strain variation, key antigenic epitopes, delivery systems and induction of immune responses are all contributing to the prospects of developing new vaccines which may be more widely applicable. A key area in progressing vaccine development is to devise standard vaccine efficacy models in relevant animal hosts and this is where a one health approach bringing together researchers across different disciplines can be of major benefit. The tools and technologies are in place to make a real impact in tackling toxoplasmosis using vaccination and it just requires a collective will to make it happen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth A. Innes
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh, Scotland EH26 OPZ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Clare Hamilton
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh, Scotland EH26 OPZ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Joao L. Garcia
- Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Campus Universitario, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Pr 380, CEP 86057-970 Londrina, Parana, Brazil
| | - Andreas Chryssafidis
- Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Campus Universitario, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Pr 380, CEP 86057-970 Londrina, Parana, Brazil
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Lages, SC, Brazil
| | - David Smith
- 5740A Medical Science Building II, 1150 W. Medical Centre Dr, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5620, USA
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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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Zheng B, Lou D, Ding J, Zhuo X, Ding H, Kong Q, Lu S. GRA24-Based DNA Vaccine Prolongs Survival in Mice Challenged With a Virulent Toxoplasma gondii Strain. Front Immunol 2019; 10:418. [PMID: 30894865 PMCID: PMC6414464 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii causes infections in a wide range of intermediate hosts and remains a threatening disease worldwide because of the lack of effective drugs and vaccines. Dense granule protein 24 (GRA24) is a novel essential virulence factor that is transferred into the nucleus of host cells from the parasitophorous vacuole to regulate gene expression. In the present study, bioinformatic analysis showed that GRA24 had a high score for B-cell and T-cell epitopes compared with surface antigen 1 (SAG1), which has been studied as a promising vaccine candidate. As a DNA vaccine, pVAX1-GRA24 was injected intramuscularly into BALB/c mice and the induced immune response was evaluated. pVAX1-GRA24 induced high levels of a mixed Th1/Th2 cytokines at 6 weeks after immunization. Antibody determinations, cytokines [interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-12, IL-4, IL-10], antigen-specific lymphocyte proliferation, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity showed that mice immunized with pVAX1-GRA24 produced specific humoral and cellular immune responses. The expression levels of interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and T-Box 21 (T-bet) were significantly higher in the pVAX1-GRA24 immunization group than in the control groups. Survival times were prolonged significantly (24.6 ± 5.5 days) in the mice immunized with pVAX1-GRA24 compared with the mice in the control groups, which died within 7 days of T. gondii challenge (p < 0.05). The results of the present study showed that pVAX1-GRA24 induced a T. gondii-specific immune response and thus represents a promising candidate vaccine to treat toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zheng
- Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Di Lou
- Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianzu Ding
- Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xunhui Zhuo
- Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haojie Ding
- Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qingming Kong
- Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shaohong Lu
- Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
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40
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Sánchez-Sánchez R, Vázquez P, Ferre I, Ortega-Mora LM. Treatment of Toxoplasmosis and Neosporosis in Farm Ruminants: State of Knowledge and Future Trends. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 18:1304-1323. [PMID: 30277158 PMCID: PMC6340160 DOI: 10.2174/1568026618666181002113617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis and neosporosis are closely related protozoan diseases that lead to important economic impacts in farm ruminants. Toxoplasma gondii infection mainly causes reproductive failure in small ruminants and is a widespread zoonosis, whereas Neospora caninum infection is one of the most important causes of abortion in cattle worldwide. Vaccination has been considered the most economic measure for controlling these diseases. However, despite vaccine development efforts, only a live-attenuated T. gondii vaccine has been licensed for veterinary use, and no promising vaccines against ne-osporosis have been developed; therefore, vaccine development remains a key goal. Additionally, drug therapy could be a valuable strategy for disease control in farm ruminants, as several drugs that limit T. gondii and N. caninum proliferation and dissemination have been evaluated. This approach may also be relevant to performing an initial drug screening for potential human therapy for zoonotic parasites. Treat-ments can be applied against infections in adult ruminants to minimize the outcomes of a primo-infection or the reactivation of a chronic infection during gestation or in newborn ruminants to avoid infection chronification. In this review, the current status of drug development against toxoplasmosis and neosporo-sis in farm ruminants is presented, and in an effort to promote additional treatment options, prospective drugs that have shown efficacy in vitro and in laboratory animal models of toxoplasmosis and neosporosis are examined
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Sánchez-Sánchez
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Vázquez
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ferre
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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Foroutan M, Ghaffarifar F, Sharifi Z, Dalimi A, Jorjani O. Rhoptry antigens as Toxoplasma gondii vaccine target. Clin Exp Vaccine Res 2019; 8:4-26. [PMID: 30775347 PMCID: PMC6369123 DOI: 10.7774/cevr.2019.8.1.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a cosmopolitan zoonotic infection, caused by a unicellular protozoan parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii that belongs to the phylum Apicomplexa. It is estimated that over one-third of the world's population has been exposed and are latently infected with the parasite. In humans, toxoplasmosis is predominantly asymptomatic in immunocompetent persons, while among immunocompromised individuals may be cause severe and progressive complications with poor prognosis. Moreover, seronegative pregnant mothers are other risk groups for acquiring the infection. The life cycle of T. gondii is very complex, indicating the presence of a plurality of antigenic epitopes. Despite of great advances, recognize and construct novel vaccines for prevent and control of toxoplasmosis in both humans and animals is still remains a great challenge for researchers to select potential protein sequences as the ideal antigens. Notably, in several past years, constant efforts of researchers have made considerable advances to elucidate the different aspects of the cell and molecular biology of T. gondii mainly on microneme antigens, dense granule antigens, surface antigens, and rhoptry proteins (ROP). These attempts thereby provided great impetus to the present focus on vaccine development, according to the defined subcellular components of the parasite. Although, currently there is no commercial vaccine for use in humans. Among the main identified T. gondii antigens, ROPs appear as a putative vaccine candidate that are vital for invasion procedure as well as survival within host cells. Overall, it is estimated that they occupy about 1%–30% of the total parasite cell volume. In this review, we have summarized the recent progress of ROP-based vaccine development through various strategies from DNA vaccines, epitope or multi epitope-based vaccines, recombinant protein vaccines to vaccines based on live-attenuated vectors and prime-boost strategies in different mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoud Foroutan
- Abadan School of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran.,Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ghaffarifar
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zohreh Sharifi
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdolhosein Dalimi
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ogholniaz Jorjani
- Laboratory Science Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
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42
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Zhang NZ, Gao Q, Wang M, Hou JL, Zhang FK, Hu LY, Zhu XQ. Protective Efficacy Against Acute and Chronic Toxoplasma gondii Infection Induced by Immunization With the DNA Vaccine TgDOC2C. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2965. [PMID: 30564214 PMCID: PMC6288300 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous intracellular apicomplexan parasite that can cause zoonotic toxoplasmosis. Effective vaccines against T. gondii infection are necessary to prevent and control the spread of toxoplasmosis. The present study analyzed the B-linear epitopes of T. gondii DOC2 (TgDOC2) protein and then cloned the C-terminus of the TgDOC2 gene (TgDOC2C) to construct the pVAX-TgDOC2C eukaryotic vector. After intramuscular injection of pVAX-TgDOC2C, immune responses were monitored. Two weeks after the last immunization, the protective effects of pVAX-TgDOC2C against acute and chronic toxoplasmosis were evaluated by challenges with T. gondii RH tachyzoites (genotype I) and PRU cysts (genotype II). The DNA vaccine elicited strong humoral and cellular immune responses with high levels of IgG antibody, IL-2 and IFN-γ production compared to those of the controls. The percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in mice immunized with pVAX-TgDOC2C was significantly increased compared to that of mice injected with empty pVAX I or PBS. After acute infection with 103 lethal tachyzoites, mice immunized with pVAX-TgDOC2C survived longer (12.5 days) than mice treated with pVAX I (8 days) and PBS (7.5 days). Mice immunized with pVAX-TgDOC2C had significantly less brain cysts (1600.83 ± 284.61) compared to mice immunized with pVAX I (3016.67 ± 153.84) or PBS (3100 ± 246.98). Together, these results demonstrated that TgDOC2C confers protective immunity against T. gondii infection and may be a promising candidate antigen for further development of an effective multicomponent vaccine for veterinary use against toxoplasmosis in livestock animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nian-Zhang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qi Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,Hunan Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Changsha, China
| | - Meng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jun-Ling Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Fu-Kai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ling-Ying Hu
- Fujian Yongcheng Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sci-Tech Group, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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43
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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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Pan M, Li M, Li L, Song Y, Hou L, Zhao J, Shen B. Identification of Novel Dense-Granule Proteins in Toxoplasma gondii by Two Proximity-Based Biotinylation Approaches. J Proteome Res 2018; 18:319-330. [PMID: 30362762 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.8b00626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic pathogen infecting humans and a variety of vertebrate animals. Secretory dense-granule proteins (GRAs) play diverse roles in the mediation of host-parasite interactions and facilitate parasitism, but many of them still remain to be identified. Here, we used two proximity-based protein labeling techniques to identify novel GRA proteins. Taking GRA1 as bait, transgenic strains expressing GRA1-BirA* or GRA1-APEX were constructed to biotinylate GRAs. Using these methods, a total of 46 proteins were identified, 20 of which were known GRA proteins. Among these 46, 17 were identified by both strategies, and 14 out of the 17 were known GRAs. The other three were all confirmed to localize to dense granules. Nonetheless a significant portion of the proteins were only identified by either APEX or BirA*, indicating that there are differences between these methods. Of the 26 novel GRAs, 5 were validated as bona fide GRAs by localization studies. The majority of these novel GRAs are only present in coccidian parasites and are likely dispensable for parasite growth in vitro; they may play roles during animal infections. The identification of novel GRAs laid the foundation for further studies investigating the mechanisms underlying parasite-host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine , Huazhong Agricultural University , Wuhan , Hubei , PR China , 430070
| | - Mingjun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine , Huazhong Agricultural University , Wuhan , Hubei , PR China , 430070
| | - Longjiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine , Huazhong Agricultural University , Wuhan , Hubei , PR China , 430070
| | - Yongle Song
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine , Huazhong Agricultural University , Wuhan , Hubei , PR China , 430070
| | - Lun Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine , Huazhong Agricultural University , Wuhan , Hubei , PR China , 430070
| | - Junlong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine , Huazhong Agricultural University , Wuhan , Hubei , PR China , 430070.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine , Wuhan , Hubei , PR China.,Hubei Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production , Wuhan , Hubei , PR China , 430070
| | - Bang Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine , Huazhong Agricultural University , Wuhan , Hubei , PR China , 430070.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine , Wuhan , Hubei , PR China
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45
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Azadi Y, Ahmadpour E, Hamishehkar H, Daryani A, Spotin A, Mahami-Oskouei M, Barac A, Rajabi S, Alizadeh P, Montazeri M. Quantification of Toxoplasma gondii in the tissues of BALB/c mice after immunization with nanoliposomal excretory-secretory antigens using Real-Time PCR. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2018; 59:52-56. [PMID: 30290888 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2018.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Although almost 1/3 of the world's population are seropositive, there is no effective vaccine against toxoplasmosis. Therefore, the development of an effective vaccine for control of toxoplasmosis is one of major concerns in parasitology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of nano-liposomal excretory-secretory antigens (NLESA) in BALB/c mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS Excretory-secretory antigens (ESA) was obtained from tachyzoites, encapsulated in the liposome and studied by scanning electron microscope. BALB/c mice were immunized with NLESA and ESA, sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Immunization was performed three times at 14-day intervals and challenged with 1 × 104 tachyzoites of T. gondii RH strain four weeks later. The parasite load of mice blood, brain and spleen tissues were determined using quantitative PCR targeted at the repeated element (RE) gene. RESULTS The immunization with NLESA and ESA induced a significant increase of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody compared with PBS group (P < 0.05). After challenge with tachyzoites, qPCR analyses showed significant reduction of parasite load in NLESA and ESA immunized mice compared with control group (P < 0.05). Also, NLESAs were more effective than ESAs and showed significantly reduced parasite load in blood (P = 0.001) and brain tissue (P = 0.01). DISCUSSION The vaccination with NLESA showed more promising results comparing to ESA. Further studies are recommended in order to achieve effectiveness of the vaccine against T. gondii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaghob Azadi
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ehsan Ahmadpour
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Hamed Hamishehkar
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Adel Spotin
- Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Aleksandra Barac
- Clinic for Infectious and tropical diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Saba Rajabi
- Student Research Committee, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Paria Alizadeh
- Student Research Committee, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mahbobeh Montazeri
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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46
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Xia N, Zhou T, Liang X, Ye S, Zhao P, Yang J, Zhou Y, Zhao J, Shen B. A Lactate Fermentation Mutant of Toxoplasma Stimulates Protective Immunity Against Acute and Chronic Toxoplasmosis. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1814. [PMID: 30147689 PMCID: PMC6096001 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonotic pathogen infecting one-third of the world’s population and numerous animals, causing significant healthcare burden and socioeconomic problems. Vaccination is an efficient way to reduce global sero-prevalence, however, ideal vaccines are not yet available. We recently discovered that the Toxoplasma mutant lacking both lactate dehydrogenases LDH1 and LDH2 (Δldh) grew well in vitro but was unable to propagate in mice, making it a good live vaccine candidate. Here, we tested the protection efficacy of ME49 Δldh using a mouse model. Vaccinated mice were efficiently protected from the lethal challenge of a variety of wild-type strains, including type 1 strain RH, type 2 strain ME49, type 3 strain VEG, and a field isolate of Chinese 1. The protection efficacies of a single vaccination were nearly 100% for most cases and it worked well against the challenges of both tachyzoites and tissue cysts. Re-challenging parasites were unable to propagate in vaccinated mice, nor did they make tissue cysts. High levels of Toxoplasma-specific IgG were produced 30 days after immunization and stayed high during the whole tests (at least 125 days). However, passive immunization of naïve mice with sera from vaccinated mice did reduce parasite propagation, but the overall protection against parasite infections was rather limited. On the other hand, Δldh immunization evoked elevated levels of Th1 cytokines like INF-γ and IL-12, at early time points. In addition, splenocytes extracted from immunized mice were able to induce quick and robust INF-γ and other pro-inflammatory cytokine production upon T. gondii antigen stimulation. Together these results suggest that cellular immune responses are the main contributors to the protective immunity elicited by Δldh vaccination, and humoral immunity also contributes partially. We also generated uracil auxotrophic mutants in ME49 and compared their immune protection efficiencies to the Δldh mutants. The results showed that these two types of mutants have similar properties as live vaccine candidates. Taken together, these results suggest that mutants lacking LDH were severely attenuated in virulence but were able to induce strong anti-toxoplasma immune responses, therefore are good candidates for live vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningbo Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Taifang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaohan Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shu Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Pengfei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jichao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanqin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Junlong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine in Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Bang Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine in Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
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47
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Zhang Z, Li Y, Liang Y, Wang S, Xie Q, Nan X, Li P, Hong G, Liu Q, Li X. Molecular characterization and protective immunity of rhoptry protein 35 (ROP35) of Toxoplasma gondii as a DNA vaccine. Vet Parasitol 2018; 260:12-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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48
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Li ZY, Lu J, Zhang NZ, Elsheikha HM, Hou JL, Guo HT, Zhu XQ. Immunization with plasmid DNA expressing Heat Shock Protein 40 confers prophylactic protection against chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection in Kunming mice. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 25:37. [PMID: 30040611 PMCID: PMC6057741 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2018040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii causes one of the most common protozoal diseases of humans and animals worldwide. With the aim of designing an effective vaccine against T. gondii infection, we examined the immunogenicity of a DNA vaccine expressing heat shock protein 40 (HSP40) against challenge with T. gondii (type I RH and type II Pru) strains in Kunming mice. The plasmid pVAX1-HSP40 was constructed and used to immunize mice by intramuscular injection for three sequential immunizations with two-week intervals. This immunization regimen significantly reduced parasite cyst burden in pVAX1-HSP40-immunized mice (1871.9 ± 142.3) compared with control mouse groups immunized with pVAX1 (3479.2 ± 204.4), phosphate buffered saline (3024.4 ± 212.8), or left untreated (3275.0 ± 179.8) as healthy controls (p < 0.01). However, immunization failed to protect mice against challenge with the virulent RH strain. There was a significant increase in T lymphocyte subclasses (CD3e+CD4+ T and CD3e+CD8a+ T lymphocytes) in splenic tissues in immunized mice compared with controls (p < 0.05). However, the level of antibodies, lymphocyte proliferation and concentration of cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-12p70) were not significantly different between immunized and control mouse groups (p < 0.05). These data indicate that pVAX1-HSP40 induced specific immune responses and achieved a significant reduction in the number of brain cysts in Pru-infected mice, and thus can be tested in future immunization studies along with plasmids containing other immunogenic proteins as a cocktail vaccine to fully abolish chronic toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Yuan Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui 230036, PR China - State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China
| | - Jing Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China
| | - Nian-Zhang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China
| | - Hany M Elsheikha
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Jun-Ling Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China
| | - Hai-Ting Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China - College of Biological Science and Technology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang 163319, PR China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, PR China
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49
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Gamma irradiation of Toxoplasma gondii protein extract improve immune response and protection in mice models. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 106:599-604. [PMID: 29990848 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.06.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2018] [Revised: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Gamma radiation induces protein changes that enhance immunogenicity for venoms, used in antivenin production. Coccidian parasites exposed to gamma radiation elicit immune response with protection in mice and man, but without studies on the effect of gamma radiation in soluble acellular extracts or isolated proteins. Toxoplasmosis is a highly prevalent coccidian disease with only one vaccine for veterinary use but with remaining tissue cysts. Total parasite extracts or recombinant proteins used as immunogen induce usually low protection. Here, we study gamma radiation effect on T. gondii extracts proteins (STAG) and its induced immunity in experimental mice models. By SDS-PAGE, protein degradation is seen at high radiation doses, but at ideal dose (1500 Gy), there are preservation of the antigenicity and immunogenicity, detected by specific antibody recognition or production after mice immunization. Immunization with STAG irradiated at 1500 Gy induced significant protection in mice immunized and challenged with distinct T. gondii strains. In their blood, higher levels of specific CD19+, CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ activated cells were found when compared to mice immunized with STAG. Irradiated T. gondii tachyzoites extracts induce immune response and protection in mice in addition, could be a feasible alternative for Toxoplasma vaccine.
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50
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Zhang Z, Li Y, Xie Q, Li P, Nan X, Kong L, Zeng D, Ding Z, Wang S. The Molecular Characterization and Immunity Identification of Rhoptry Protein 22 of Toxoplasma gondii
as a DNA Vaccine Candidate Against Toxoplasmosis. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2018; 66:147-157. [PMID: 29858559 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Revised: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenchao Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences; Xinxiang Medical University; Xinxiang Henan 453003 China
| | - Yuhua Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University; Xinxiang Henan 453003 China
| | - Qing Xie
- School of Basic Medical Sciences; Xinxiang Medical University; Xinxiang Henan 453003 China
| | - Pengju Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences; Xinxiang Medical University; Xinxiang Henan 453003 China
| | - Xiaoxu Nan
- School of Stomatology; Xinxiang Medical University; Xinxiang Henan 453003 China
| | - Lingmin Kong
- School of Basic Medical Sciences; Xinxiang Medical University; Xinxiang Henan 453003 China
| | - Dapeng Zeng
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University; Xinxiang Henan 453003 China
| | - Zhifang Ding
- School of Basic Medical Sciences; Xinxiang Medical University; Xinxiang Henan 453003 China
| | - Shuai Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences; Xinxiang Medical University; Xinxiang Henan 453003 China
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