Toxoplasma WH3 Δrop18 acts as a live attenuated vaccine against acute and chronic toxoplasmosis
Cong Wang,
Shengnan Fu,
Xin Yu,
Hang Zhou,
Famin Zhang,
Lingling Song,
Ji Zhao,
Yun Yang,
Jianbing Du,
Qingli Luo,
Jilong Shen,
Li Yu
Affiliations
Cong Wang
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Province key Laboratory of Zoonoses and The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions Anhui School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University
Shengnan Fu
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Province key Laboratory of Zoonoses and The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions Anhui School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University
Xin Yu
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Province key Laboratory of Zoonoses and The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions Anhui School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University
Hang Zhou
First Clinical Medical College, Anhui Medical University
Famin Zhang
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Province key Laboratory of Zoonoses and The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions Anhui School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University
Lingling Song
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Province key Laboratory of Zoonoses and The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions Anhui School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University
Ji Zhao
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Province key Laboratory of Zoonoses and The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions Anhui School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University
Yun Yang
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Province key Laboratory of Zoonoses and The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions Anhui School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University
Jianbing Du
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University
Qingli Luo
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Province key Laboratory of Zoonoses and The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions Anhui School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University
Jilong Shen
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Province key Laboratory of Zoonoses and The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions Anhui School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University
Li Yu
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Anhui Province key Laboratory of Zoonoses and The Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonoses of High Institutions Anhui School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University
Abstract Toxoplasma gondii is a significant zoonotic pathogen of toxoplasmosis in humans and animals. Here a live attenuated Toxoplasma vaccine of WH3 Δrop18 was developed. The results showed that all mice vaccinated with WH3 Δrop18 were able to survive when challenge with various strains of Toxoplasma, including RH (type I), ME49 (type II), WH3 or WH6 (type Chinese 1). No cysts, if few, in the brain of the vaccinated animals were seen after challenge with cyst forming strains of ME49 or WH6. Vaccination with the WH3 Δrop18 triggered a strong immune response, including significantly increased level of the cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-12, TNF-α and IL-10) and the activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes and long term of specific antibodies against Toxoplasma. Our results strongly indicate that vaccine of WH3 Δrop18 might provide effective immune protection against a wide range strains of Toxoplasma infections and be a promising live attenuated vaccine candidate.
