Virus-like particle vaccine displaying Toxoplasma gondii apical membrane antigen 1 induces protection against T. gondii ME49 infection in mice

Toxoplasmosis is an intracellular parasitic disease caused by the protozoa Toxoplasma gondii, which affects about half of the world's population. In spite of the strenuous endeavors, a T. gondii vaccine for clinical use remains unreported to date. In the present study, we generated virus-like p...

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Published in:Microbial pathogenesis 2020-05, Vol.142, p.104090-104090, Article 104090
Main Authors: Kim, Min-Ju, Lee, Su-Hwa, Kang, Hae-Ji, Chu, Ki-Back, Park, Hyunwoo, Jin, Hui, Moon, Eun-Kyung, Kim, Sung Soo, Quan, Fu-Shi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AMA1
Immune response
Toxoplasma gondii
Virus-like particles (VLPs)
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Summary:Toxoplasmosis is an intracellular parasitic disease caused by the protozoa Toxoplasma gondii, which affects about half of the world's population. In spite of the strenuous endeavors, a T. gondii vaccine for clinical use remains unreported to date. In the present study, we generated virus-like particles (VLPs) containing T. gondii apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) and assessed its efficacy in a murine model. VLPs were characterized using western blot and TEM. T. gondii-specific IgG and IgA antibody responses in sera, germinal center B cell responses in spleen, brain cyst counts and their sizes were determined. Elevated T. gondii-specific IgG and IgA antibody responses were observed from the sera of AMA1 VLP-immunized mice. Immunization with AMA1 VLPs enhanced T. gondii-specific antibody-secreting cell responses and germinal center B cell responses upon antigen stimulation. Brain tissue analysis revealed that AMA1 VLP-immunization reduced cyst formation and its size compared to control. Also, VLP-immunized mice were less susceptible to body weight loss and displayed enhanced survival rate compared to the control group. Our results demonstrated that the immune response induced by T. gondii AMA1 VLPs confer partial protection against T. gondii infection and provides important insight into potential T. gondii vaccine design strategy. [Display omitted] •Virus-like particles (VLPs) expressing AMA1 were generated as vaccines.•Toxoplasma gondii apical membrane antigen1 (AMA1) immunogenicity was investigated.•VLPs immunization elicited T. gondii–specific IgG and IgA antibody responses.•Germinal center B cell responses were enhanced upon AMA1 VLP immunization.•T. gondii VLP immunization reduced cyst formation and enhanced survival in mice.
ISSN:0882-4010
1096-1208
DOI:10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104090