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Li D, Han M, Cao Y, Du J, An R. Protective effect against toxoplasmosis in BALB/C mice vaccinated with recombinant Toxoplasma gondii CDPK3, GRA35, and ROP46 protein cocktail vaccine. Vaccine 2024; 42:1342-1351. [PMID: 38310017 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.01.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is one of the most common pathogenic protozoa in the world, and causes toxoplasmosis, which in varying degrees causes significant economic losses and poses a serious public health challenge globally. To date, the development of an effective vaccine for human toxoplasmosis remains a challenge. Given that T.gondii calcium-dependent protein kinase 3 (CDPK3), dense granule protein 35 (GRA35) and rhoptry organelle protein 46 (ROP46) play key roles during Toxoplasma gondii invasion of host cells, we developed a protein vaccine cocktail including these proteins and validated its protective efficacy. The specific protective effects of vaccine on mice were analyzed by measuring serum antibodies, cytokines, splenocyte proliferation, the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes, survival rate, and parasite cyst burden. The results showed that mice vaccinated with a three-protein cocktail produced the highest levels of immune protein antibodies to IgG, and high levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 compared to other mice vaccinated with two proteins. In addition, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell percentages were significantly elevated. Compared to the control groups, mice vaccinated with the three-protein cocktail survived significantly longer after acute infection with T. gondii and had significantly fewer cysts after chronic infection. These results demonstrated that a cocktail vaccine of TgCDPK3, TgGRA35, and TgROP46 can effectively induce cellular and humoral immune responses with good protective effects in mice, indicating its potential as vaccine candidates for toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; The Research Center for Infectious Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Meng Han
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; The Research Center for Infectious Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yuhua Cao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; The Research Center for Infectious Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Jian Du
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; The Research Center for Infectious Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
| | - Ran An
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; The Research Center for Infectious Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions in Anhui, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
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Lotfalizadeh N, Sadr S, Morovati S, Lotfalizadeh M, Hajjafari A, Borji H. A potential cure for tumor-associated immunosuppression by Toxoplasma gondii. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2024; 7:e1963. [PMID: 38109851 PMCID: PMC10850000 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1963] [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: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, immunotherapy has become very hopeful for cancer therapy. Cancer treatment through immunotherapy has excellent specificity and less toxicity than conventional chemoradiotherapy. Pathogens have been used in cancer immunotherapy for a long time. The current study aims to evaluate the possibility of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) as a probable treatment for cancers such as melanoma, breast, ovarian, lung, and pancreatic cancer. RECENT FINDINGS Nonreplicating type I uracil auxotrophic mutants of T. gondii can stimulate immune responses against tumors by reverse immunosuppression at the cellular level. T. gondii can be utilized to research T helper 1 (Th1) cell immunity in intracellular infections. Avirulent T. gondii uracil auxotroph vaccine can change the tumor's immunosuppression and improve the production of type 1 helper cell cytokines, i.e., Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and Interleukin-12 (IL-12) and activate tumor-related Cluster of Differentiation 8 (CD8+) T cells to identify and destroy cancer cells. The T. gondii profilin protein, along with T. gondii secreted proteins, have been found to exhibit promising properties in the treatment of various cancers. These proteins are being studied for their potential to inhibit tumor growth and enhance the effectiveness of cancer therapies. Their unique mechanisms of action make them valuable candidates for targeted interventions in ovarian cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, melanoma, and lung cancer treatments. CONCLUSION In summary, the study underscores the significant potential of harnessing T. gondii, including its diverse array of proteins and antigens, particularly in its avirulent form, as a groundbreaking approach in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narges Lotfalizadeh
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineFerdowsi University of MashhadMashhadIran
| | - Soheil Sadr
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineFerdowsi University of MashhadMashhadIran
| | - Solmaz Morovati
- Division of Biotechnology, Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary MedicineShiraz UniversityShirazIran
| | - Mohammadhassan Lotfalizadeh
- Board Certificate Oral and Maxillofacial RadiologistNorth Khorasan University of Medical Sciences (NKUMS)BojnurdIran
| | - Ashkan Hajjafari
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineIslamic Azad University, Science and Research BranchTehranIran
| | - Hassan Borji
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineFerdowsi University of MashhadMashhadIran
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Deng B, Vanagas L, Alonso AM, Angel SO. Proteomics Applications in Toxoplasma gondii: Unveiling the Host-Parasite Interactions and Therapeutic Target Discovery. Pathogens 2023; 13:33. [PMID: 38251340 PMCID: PMC10821451 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13010033] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite with the ability to infect various warm-blooded vertebrates, including humans, is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis. This infection poses significant risks, leading to severe complications in immunocompromised individuals and potentially affecting the fetus through congenital transmission. A comprehensive understanding of the intricate molecular interactions between T. gondii and its host is pivotal for the development of effective therapeutic strategies. This review emphasizes the crucial role of proteomics in T. gondii research, with a specific focus on host-parasite interactions, post-translational modifications (PTMs), PTM crosstalk, and ongoing efforts in drug discovery. Additionally, we provide an overview of recent advancements in proteomics techniques, encompassing interactome sample preparation methods such as BioID (BirA*-mediated proximity-dependent biotin identification), APEX (ascorbate peroxidase-mediated proximity labeling), and Y2H (yeast two hybrid), as well as various proteomics approaches, including single-cell analysis, DIA (data-independent acquisition), targeted, top-down, and plasma proteomics. Furthermore, we discuss bioinformatics and the integration of proteomics with other omics technologies, highlighting its potential in unraveling the intricate mechanisms of T. gondii pathogenesis and identifying novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Deng
- Department of Biology and VBRN Proteomics Facility, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Laura Vanagas
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús 7130, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina; (L.V.); (S.O.A.); (A.M.A.)
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), 25 de Mayo y Francia. C.P., San Martín 1650, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andres M. Alonso
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús 7130, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina; (L.V.); (S.O.A.); (A.M.A.)
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), 25 de Mayo y Francia. C.P., San Martín 1650, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sergio O. Angel
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (CONICET-UNSAM), Chascomús 7130, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina; (L.V.); (S.O.A.); (A.M.A.)
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), 25 de Mayo y Francia. C.P., San Martín 1650, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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