T. canis experimental murine infection: IgG subclass antibodies detection by Immunological techniques using native proteins and recombinant cell-free protein system

• Grant number: 18/23021-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2021
• End date: June 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology - Helminthology of Parasites
• Principal Investigator: Susana Angélica Zevallos Lescano
• Grantee: Susana Angélica Zevallos Lescano
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Fabiana Martins de Paula ; Gabriela Rodrigues e Fonseca ; Marcelo Andreetta Corral ; Pedro Paulo Chieffi ; Ronaldo Cesar Borges Cryschek ; Sergio Vieira dos Santos

Abstract

Toxocariasis is a neglected zoonosis worldwide, especially in tropical climate areas, with T. canis larvae frequently attributed. Man can also be infected by the ingestion of embryonated eggs containing the third stage larva. Because humans are paratenic hosts, the larvae cannot establish themselves in the intestine, and thus migrate to other organs, causing the visceral larva migrans, ocular larva migrans, covert toxocariasis and neurotoxocariasis syndromes. In the study of the experimental infection by T. canis, the mouse is an excellent laboratory host, since it tolerates massive infections for long periods and without major alterations. In these animals, larvae perform the entero pneumo-somatic cycle, causing signs and symptoms similar to those produced in humans. Several authors have reported that the humoral immune response in these rodents presents results comparable to those observed in human toxocariasis, but few studies have analyzed the use of IgG subclasses under a broad optic that encompasses different periods after infection and their diagnostic application. Studies that analyze recombinant antigens have used an in vivo system, which is complex, troublesome and can lead to false results. Also, there is no research in the literature using a cell-free expression synthetic protein together with IgG subclasses detection through immunological methods in different points post-infection. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the dynamics of anti-Toxocara antibodies in BALB/c mice inoculated with T. canis and the diagnostic applicability of a synthetic protein produced by a cell-free system, as well as to observe its possible cross-reactions with antigens from other helminths, through immunological techniques using both antigens. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GABRIELA RODRIGUES E FONSECA; ANA LAURA GROSSI DE OLIVEIRA; RAMAYANA MORAIS DE MEDEIROS BRITO; MARCELO ANDREETTA CORRAL; RICHARD JOHN WARD; PÂMELA APARECIDA DE LIMA; JOSÉ BRYAN DA ROCHA RIHS; MARCELO EDUARDO CARDOZO; PAULA KEIKO SATO; RICARDO TOSHIO FUJIWARA; et al. Immunogenic mapping of potential epitopes from Tc-CTL-1 for the diagnosis of murine toxocariasis. Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, v. 120, 2025-03-14. (18/23021-7)