Multi-epitope DNA vaccine linked to the A2/B subunit of cholera toxin protect mice against Toxoplasma gondii.
The search for an effective vaccine against toxoplasmosis remains a challenging and elusive goal. Combination of epitopes from different stages of Toxoplasma gondii life cycle is an optimal strategy to overcome the antigen complexity of the parasite. Based on published epitope derived from several promising candidate vaccine antigens, we construct a DNA vaccine encoding multi-epitope of T. gondii and CpG motif, with or without the A2/B subunit of cholera toxin as a genetic adjuvant. The immunity induced by this vaccine in BALB/c mice and the protection afforded against challenge with the highly virulent RH strain of T. gondii is assessed. This vaccine was able to elicit a significant humoral and cellular immune response in vaccinated mice. Furthermore, CTXA2/B as a genetic adjuvant could enhance the magnitude of immune responses as well as increased survival rate in mice infected with the lethal RH tachyzoites. This study is the first report of a multi-epitope DNA construct strategy as a potential DNA vaccine against toxoplasmosis.
Department of Parasitology, Medical School, Shandong University, No. 44 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China.
Hua
H
Cong
Qin Min
QM
Gu
Hong En
HE
Yin
Jing Wen
JW
Wang
Qun Li
QL
Zhao
Huai Yu
HY
Zhou
Ying
Y
Li
Jia Qin
JQ
Zhang
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D001483:Base Sequence; D002772:Cholera Toxin / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D000939:Epitopes / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010957:Plasmids; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000939:Epitopes; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D002772:Cholera Toxin