Mineralization Reduces the Toxicity and Improves Stability and Protective Immune Response Induced by <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>
Ling Li,
Yong-Chao Guan,
Shao-Yuan Bai,
Qi-Wang Jin,
Jian-Ping Tao,
Guo-Ding Zhu,
Si-Yang Huang
Affiliations
Ling Li
Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou 225009, China
Yong-Chao Guan
Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou 225009, China
Shao-Yuan Bai
Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou 225009, China
Qi-Wang Jin
Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou 225009, China
Jian-Ping Tao
Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou 225009, China
Guo-Ding Zhu
National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Provincial Medical Key Laboratory, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi 214064, China
Si-Yang Huang
Institute of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Yangzhou 225009, China
Vaccination is an ideal strategy for the control and prevention of toxoplasmosis. However, the thermostability and effectiveness of vaccines limit their application. Here, calcium mineralization was used to fabricate Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites as immunogenic core–shell particles with improved immune response and thermostability. In the current study, T. gondii RH particles coated with mineralized shells were fabricated by calcium mineralization. The mineralized shells could maintain the T. gondii tachyzoites structural integrity for at least 12 months and weaken the virulence. Immunization of mice with mineralized tachyzoites induced high levels of T. gondii-specific antibodies and cytokines. The immunized mice were protected with a 100% survival rate in acute and chronic infection, and brain cyst burdens were significantly reduced. This study reported for the first time the strategy of calcium mineralization on T. gondii and proved that mineralized tachyzoites could play an immune protective role, thus expanding the application of biomineralization in T. gondii vaccine delivery.