Virus-like Particle Vaccine Containing Toxoplasma gondii Rhoptry Protein 13 Induces Protection against T. gondii ME49 Infection in Mice
10.3347/kjp.2019.57.5.543
- Author:
Hae Ji KANG
1
;
Ki Back CHU
;
Su Hwa LEE
;
Min Ju KIM
;
Hyunwoo PARK
;
Hui JIN
;
Fu Shi QUAN
Author Information
1. Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea.
- Publication Type:Brief Communication
- Keywords:
Toxoplasma gondii;
rhoptry protein 13;
virus-like particle
- MeSH:
Animals;
Antibody Formation;
Antibody-Producing Cells;
Body Weight;
Brain;
Feces;
Female;
Germinal Center;
Humans;
Immunization;
Immunoglobulin A;
Immunoglobulin G;
Mice;
Pregnant Women;
Spleen;
T-Lymphocytes;
Toxoplasma
- From:The Korean Journal of Parasitology
2019;57(5):543-547
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Toxoplasma gondii can infect humans worldwide, causing serious diseases in pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals. T. gondii rhoptry protein 13 (ROP13) is known as one of the key proteins involved in host cell invasion. In this study, we generated virus-like particles (VLPs) vaccine expressing T. gondii rhoptry ROP13 and investigated VLPs vaccine efficacy in mice. Mice immunized with ROP13 VLPs vaccine elicited significantly higher levels of T. gondii-specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, and IgA antibody responses following boost immunization and challenge infection, whereas antibody inductions were insignificant upon prime immunization. Differing immunization routes resulted in differing antibody induction, as intranasal immunization (IN) induced greater antibody responses than intramuscular immunization (IM) after boost and challenge infection. IN immunization induced significantly higher levels of IgG and IgA antibody responses from feces, antibody-secreting cells (ASCs), CD4⁺ T, CD8⁺ T cells and germinal center B cell responses in the spleen compared to IM immunization. Compared to IM immunization, IN immunization resulted in significantly reduced cyst counts in the brain as well as lesser body weight loss, which contributed to better protection. All of the mice immunized through either route survived, whereas all naïve control mice perished. These results indicate that the ROP13 VLPs vaccine could be a potential vaccine candidate against T. gondii infection.
