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Immunogenicity and Protective Effect of a Virus-Like Particle Containing the SAG1 Antigen of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> as a Potential Vaccine Candidate for Toxoplasmosis
oleh: Won Hyung Choi, Ji Sun Park
Format: | Article |
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Diterbitkan: | MDPI AG 2020-04-01 |
Deskripsi
This study was carried out to evaluate the vaccination effect of a virus-like particle (VLP) including the surface antigen 1 (SAG1) of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> as a potential vaccine for toxoplasmosis. The SAG1 virus-like particles (SAG1-VLPs) were expressed by Sf9 cells, and their expression was confirmed through cloning, RT-PCR analysis, and western blot method. The immunogenicity and vaccine efficacy of SAG1-VLPs were assessed by the antibody response, cytokine analysis, neutralization activity, splenocyte assay, and survival rates through a mouse model. In particular, IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, and IgA were markedly increased after immunization, and the survival rates of <i>T. gondii</i> were strongly inhibited by the immunized sera. Furthermore, the immunization of SAG1-VLPs effectively decreased the production of specific cytokines, such as IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, after parasite infection. In particular, the immunized group showed strong activity and viability compared with the non-immunized infection group, and their survival rate was 75%. These results demonstrate that SAG1-VLP not only has the immunogenicity to block <i>T. gondii</i> infection by effectively inducing the generation of specific antibodies against <i>T. gondii</i>, but is also an effective antigen delivery system for preventing toxoplasmosis. This study indicates that SAG1-VLP can be effectively utilized as a promising vaccine candidate for preventing or inhibiting <i>T. gondii</i> infection.