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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Vaccination with Recombinant Microneme Proteins Confers Protection against Experimental Toxoplasmosis in Mice

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Author(s):
Pinzan, Camila Figueiredo [1] ; Sardinha-Silva, Aline [1] ; Almeida, Fausto [1] ; Lai, Livia [2] ; Lopes, Carla Duque [1] ; Lourenco, Elaine Vicente [3] ; Panunto-Castelo, Ademilson [4] ; Matthews, Stephen [2] ; Roque-Barreira, Maria Cristina [1]
Total Authors: 9
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Dept Cell & Mol Biol, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Univ London Imperial Coll Sci Technol & Med, Div Mol Biosci, London SW7 2AZ - England
[3] Univ Calif Los Angeles, Dept Med, Div Rheumatol, Los Angeles, CA 90095 - USA
[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Philosophy Sci & Literature Ribeirao Preto, Dept Biol, Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: PLoS One; v. 10, n. 11 NOV 17 2015.
Web of Science Citations: 18
Abstract

Toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is an important public health problem and veterinary concern. Although there is no vaccine for human toxoplasmosis, many attempts have been made to develop one. Promising vaccine candidates utilize proteins, or their genes, from microneme organelle of T. gondii that are involved in the initial stages of host cell invasion by the parasite. In the present study, we used different recombinant microneme proteins (TgMIC1, TgMIC4, or TgMIC6) or combinations of these proteins (TgMIC1-4 and TgMIC1-4-6) to evaluate the immune response and protection against experimental toxoplasmosis in C57BL/6 mice. Vaccination with recombinant TgMIC1, TgMIC4, or TgMIC6 alone conferred partial protection, as demonstrated by reduced brain cyst burden and mortality rates after challenge. Immunization with TgMIC1-4 or TgMIC1-4-6 vaccines provided the most effective protection, since 70% and 80% of mice, respectively, survived to the acute phase of infection. In addition, these vaccinated mice, in comparison to non-vaccinated ones, showed reduced parasite burden by 59% and 68%, respectively. The protective effect was related to the cellular and humoral immune responses induced by vaccination and included the release of Th1 cytokines IFN-gamma and IL12, antigen-stimulated spleen cell proliferation, and production of antigen-specific serum antibodies. Our results demonstrate that microneme proteins are potential vaccines against T. gondii, since their inoculation prevents or decreases the deleterious effects of the infection. (AU)