The protective effect of a Toxoplasma gondii SAG1 plasmid DNA vaccine in mice is enhanced with IL-18 |
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Authors: | Quan Liu Limin Shang Feng Wei Hongwei Gao |
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Affiliation: | a Institute of Military Veterinary, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun 130062, Jilin Province, China b College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, 2888 Xincheng Street, Changchun 130118, Jilin Province, China c Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Street, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong Province, China |
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Abstract: | More effective vaccines against Toxoplasma gondii may contribute to the control of this pathogen that has major veterinary and public health significance. In this study, two recombinant plasmids pcDNA/TgSAG1 and pVAX/mIL-18 containing T. gondii SAG1 (TgSAG1) and murine cytokine interleukin-18 (IL-18) were evaluated for their ability to protect mice against T. gondii challenge. Mice were given two intramuscular immunizations 3 weeks apart, and challenged with T. gondii 3 weeks later. All animals vaccinated with pcDNA/TgSAG1 alone or with pVAX/mIL-18 developed specific anti-TLA (T. gondii lysate antigen) antibodies and specific lymphocyte proliferative responses. Co-injection of pVAX/mIL-18 significantly increased the production of IFN-γ and IL-2. Further, challenge experiments showed that co-immunization with pVAX/mIL-18 significantly (P < 0.05) increased the survival rate (60%), compared with pcDNA/TgSAG1 alone (40%). Therefore, codelivery of the IL-18-secreting plasmid potentiates the induction and maintenance of the type 1 helper T-cell immune response and may be a potent strategy for enhancing the protective efficacy of vaccines against T. gondii. |
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Keywords: | Toxoplasma gondii TgSAG1 IL-18 Immunity |
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