山羊免疫弓形虫代谢分泌抗原后的免疫应答

将山羊随机分为6组,即E／SA纽、E／SA＋cpG组（未乳化）、E／SA＋CpG组、E／SA＋IL-2组、E／SA＋IL-2＋CpG组、对照组,每组3只,分别于免疫前、免疫后第2周、免疫后第4周、感染后第1周及感染后第2周采集山羊外周全血及涂血片,IHA法检测抗体滴度的动态变化;ELISA法检测IFN-γ、TNF—a、IL-2、IL-4的表达水平;ANAE染色法检测T淋巴细胞的动态变化。结果显示,免疫后各免疫组的IFN-γ、TNF-a、IL-2、IL-4及T淋巴细胞水平显著高于对照组（P〈0．05）,各免疫组的抗体水平均高于对照组。结果表明,E／SA可引起IFN—γ、TNF—a、IL-2、IL-4、T淋巴细胞及抗体水平的升高,说明E／SA免疫后可引起山羊较强的细胞免疫和体液免疫应答。     

Production of antibodies in murine mucosal immunization with Toxoplasma gondii excreted/secreted antigens

Toxoplasmagondii RH strain excreted/secreted antigens (ESA) were administrated weekly by the oral route, to two groups of 40 OF1 mice for 4 weeks. One group received ESA associated with cholera toxin (CT+) and the other, ESA only (CT-). Five animals from each group were sacrificed from day 4 (D4) to D49 following the first immunization and their feces and sera were collected and tested by ELISA for IgA, IgG and IgM antibody detection. In feces, IgA antibodies were detected on D4 and on D12 in the CT+ and CT- groups, respectively, and they persisted up to D49. IgG antibodies were detected from D12 to D41 in the CT+ group and on D12 only in the CT- group. No IgM antibodies were detected. In sera, IgA antibodies were detected on D27, D41 and D49 only in the CT+ group. IgG and IgM antibodies were found on D12 and D4, respectively, in the CT+ group and starting from D27 in the CT- group. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that ESA, with or without CT, are immunogenic when administrated by the oral route.     

A new type of pterocarpanquinone that affects Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites in vitro

Toxoplasma gondii, the agent of Toxoplasmosis, is an obligate intracellular protozoan able to infect a wide range of vertebrate cells, including nonprofessional and professional phagocytes. Therefore, drugs must have intracellular activities in order to control this parasite. The most common therapy for Toxoplasmosis is the combination of sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine. This treatment is associated with adverse reactions, thus, the development of new drugs is necessary. In previous studies, naphthoquinone derivatives showed anti-cancer activity functioning as agents capable of acting on groups of DNA, preventing cancer cells duplication. These derivatives also display anti-parasitic activity against Plasmodium falciparum and Leishmania amazonensis. The derivative pterocarpanquinone tested in this work resulted from the molecular hybridization between pterocarpans and naphtoquinone that presents anti-tumoral and anti-parasitic activities of lapachol. The aim of this work was to determine if this derivative is able to change T. gondii growth within LLC-MK2 cells. The drug did not arrest host cell growth, but was able to decrease the infection index of T. gondii with an IC(50) of 2.5 μM. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy analysis showed morphological changes of parasites including membrane damage. The parasite that survived tended to encyst as seen by Dolichos biflorus lectin staining and Bag-1 expression. These results suggest that pterocarpanquinones are drugs potentially important for the killing and encystment of T. gondii.     

弓形虫主要表面抗原的研究进展

弓形虫(Toxoplasma gondii)是一种呈世界性分布的机会性致病原虫,它的宿主范围非常广泛,感染包括人在内的190多种哺乳动物和鸟类。弓形虫的表面是与宿主细胞最先接触的部分,其表面抗原(SAG,Surface antigen)在虫体对宿主细胞的吸附、信号传导、入侵等过程中以及弓形虫的各个发育阶段中发挥着重要作用。本文主要对近年来国内外对弓形虫表面抗原的研究进展作一综述。     

Aspects of the early moments of interaction between tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii with neutrophils

The interaction of the tachyzoite stage of Toxoplasma gondii with neutrophils was investigated. Morphological aspects of the initial moments of interaction were analyzed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, revealing at least three types of reaction from the leukocytes to the parasite: the projection of filopodia, formation of a tunnel-like projection involving the parasite, and invagination of the leukocyte surface at the point of entry. The influence on infectivity of tyrosine kinase, phosphokinase C and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase cell signaling pathways were studied with the aid of drugs affecting these enzymes in these cells.     

Quantitative survival of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites and bradyzoites in pepsin and in trypsin solutions

Bradyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii survived in pepsin solutions and in trypsin solutions. After 120 minutes in trypsin solution at 37 C, infectivity of bradyzoites for mice was reduced 100-fold, whereas in pepsin solution there was no reduction in infectivity. Tachyzoites survived in trypsin, but after 15 and 60 minutes' incubation at 37 C, there was a 100,000-fold reduction in infectivity titer. Toxoplasma gondii was demonstrated in mice inoculated with experimentally infected goat brain digested in pepsin and in trypsin solutions, but not in mice inoculated with undigested brain of the same goat. Seemingly, tissues should be digested in pepsin solution to isolate T gondii from chronically infected animals.     

Antibody responses to Toxoplasma gondii antigens in aqueous and cerebrospinal fluids of cats infected with T. gondii and FIV.

Antibodies to antigens of Toxoplasma gondii were measured in the aqueous and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 16 specific-pathogen free kittens experimentally infected with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), T. gondii, or both pathogens. The results indicated that all cats infected with T. gondii had antibody responses to antigens of T. gondii in both aqueous fluids and CSF. Co-infection with FIV did not affect antibody levels. Aqueous fluids from eyes of cats with toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis did not necessarily have higher antibody levels than those from eyes without lesions. Antibodies to T. gondii were also detected in the CSF of two cats from whose brains no parasites were isolated by in vivo mouse inoculation. Total IgG did not increase significantly in the aqueous fluids and CSF of cats infected with T. gondii whether or not they were also infected with FIV.     

Evaluation of three novel azasterols against Toxoplasma gondii

Previous studies from our group have demonstrated the high susceptibility of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites to the sterol analogues 22,26-azasterol and 24,25-(R,S)-epiminolanosterol. In this work we present data on testing in vitro three novel azasterols as potential agents for the treatment of toxoplasmosis. The three compounds inhibited parasite growth at micromolar concentrations, in a dose-dependent manner. Electron microscopy analysis of intracellular tachyzoites after treatment with the most effective compound showed drastic mitochondrion swelling associated with the appearance of an electron-lucent matrix and disrupted cristae. Parasite lysis also took place. The appearance of electron dense cytoplasmic structures similar to amylopectin granules distributed throughout the parasite suggests that azasterols might be inducing differentiation of those tachyzoites which were not lysed to the bradyzoite stage.     

桧烯抗弓形虫活性的体外评价

本研究旨在筛选具有抗弓形虫活性的萜类化合物,并进行体外活性评价。对26个萜类化合物进行体外抗弓形虫增殖作用的筛选,采用CCK-8法确定活性化合物对Vero细胞的毒性和安全浓度,Giemsa染色进一步确定对弓形虫的活性,通过细胞免疫荧光、Giemsa染色和生物化学发光法评价活性化合物对弓形虫的体外活性。结果表明,26个萜类化合物中,桧烯对弓形虫有显著的活性,桧烯对RH-2F的IC₅₀为90.76 μg·mL^-1,Giemsa染色和细胞免疫荧光的结果表明,桧烯对细胞内的两种弓形虫虫株都有显著的抗增殖作用,并且对弓形虫的入侵有极显著的抑制作用（P<0.001）。综上表明,桧烯对弓形虫的入侵和细胞内增殖具有显著的抑制作用,可作为潜在的抗弓形虫先导化合物。     

Unexpected oocyst shedding by cats fed Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites: in vivo stage conversion and strain variation

Tachyzoites, bradyzoites (in tissue cysts), and sporozoites (in oocysts) are the three infectious stages of Toxoplasma gondii. The prepatent period (time to shedding of oocysts after primary infection) varies with the stage of T. gondii ingested by the cat. The prepatent period (pp) after ingesting bradyzoites is short (3-10 days) while it is long (18 days or longer) after ingesting oocysts or tachyzoites, irrespective of the dose. The conversion of bradyzoites to tachyzoites and tachyzoites to bradyzoites is biologically important in the life cycle of T. gondii. In the present paper, the pp was used to study in vivo conversion of tachyzoites to bradyzoites using two isolates, VEG and TgCkAr23. T. gondii organisms were obtained from the peritoneal exudates (pex) of mice inoculated intraperitoneally (i.p.) with these isolates and administered to cats orally by pouring in the mouth or by a stomach tube. In total, 94 of 151 cats shed oocysts after ingesting pex. The pp after ingesting pex was short (5-10 days) in 50 cats, intermediate (11-17) in 30 cats, and long (18 or higher) in 14 cats. The strain of T. gondii (VEG, TgCKAr23) or the stage (bradyzoite, tachyzoite, and sporozoite) used to initiate infection in mice did not affect the results. In addition, six of eight cats fed mice infected 1-4 days earlier shed oocysts with a short pp; the mice had been inoculated i.p. with bradyzoites of the VEG strain and their whole carcasses were fed to cats 1, 2, 3, or 4 days post-infection. Results indicate that bradyzoites may be formed in the peritoneal cavities of mice inoculated intraperitoneally with T. gondii and some bradyzoites might give rise directly to bradyzoites without converting to tachyzoites.     

Use of a serum-free medium to produce in vitro Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites on Vero cells

Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii are cyst-forming coccidian parasites of human and veterinary clinical relevance. In vitro cultivation of the protozoans using Vero cells is usually performed in order to produce antigenic materials. Quantitative and qualitative comparisons of Vero cells grown in RPMI medium supplemented either with foetal calf serum (FCS), horse serum (HS) or a specific serum-free additive (DefCell) were performed. A serum-free cell culture system used to propagate N. caninum (NC-1 isolate) and T. gondii tachyzoites (Rh stain) were compared with the other two cell culture systems. FCS supplemented media was found to be more effective than the others in promoting Vero cells and N. caninum tachyzoites. However, it was found unable to support adequate T. gondii tachyzoite proliferation. Vero cells, T. gondii and N. caninum tachyzoite production gave similar growth patterns with either HS or DefCell supplemented media. Defcell was considered as a good alternative to supplement culture medium.     

Evaluation of immune responses induced by SAG1 and MIC3 vaccine cocktails against Toxoplasma gondii

The aim of this study was to evaluate the immune responses of a SAG1 and MIC3 vaccine cocktail in BALB/c mice. Ninety-six BALB/c mice were randomly divided into eight groups, including three plasmid DNA vaccine groups (pcDNA-MIC3, pcDNA-SAG1, pcDNA-MIC3+pcDNA-SAG1), three recombinant pseudotype baculovirus vaccine groups (BV-G-MIC3, BV-G-SAG1, BV-G-SAG1+BV-G-MIC3) and two control groups (PBS and BV-G-EGFP). All groups were immunized intramuscularly twice at three-week intervals. The production of anti-Toxoplasma gondii lysate antigen (TLA) antibodies, lymphoproliferation, levels of IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10 and the survival time were monitored after vaccination. The results showed that immunization of BALB/c mice with MIC3 and SAG1 vaccines stimulated both the cellular and humoral immune responses with the production of anti-T. gondii TLA antibodies. The vaccine cocktails of pcDNA-MIC3+pcDNA-SAG1 or BV-G-SAG1+BV-G-MIC3 induced significantly higher immunogenicity than a single-gene vaccine (P<0.05). Splenocytes from the immunized mice significantly proliferated in response to the TLA and released interferon (IFN)-γ (P<0.05). However, the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in the sera of the immunized mice were not significantly different from those of the controls (P>0.05). Immunization with the vaccine cocktail (BV-G-SAG1+BV-G-MIC3) in mice significantly prolonged survival (50%; P<0.05) against a lethal challenge of T. gondii (RH tachyzoites), while all mice in the other immunized groups and control groups died within 20 and 4 days post-infection, respectively. Furthermore, the recombinant pseudotype baculovirus vaccines induced better immunogenicity than the plasmid DNA vaccines (P<0.05). These results suggest that an excellent vector-mediated vaccine cocktail strategy might be used to develop a new generation of vaccines against T. gondii infection.     

Prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in roe deer from Spain

Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is an important game animal in Spain. Sera from 278 roe deer from eight areas in mainland Spain were assayed for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by modified agglutination test (MAT). Titers of 1:25 or higher were found in 109 (39.2%) of 278 deer. No significant differences in antibody prevalence were found between sex or age categories. In contrast, significant differences in seroprevalence between locations were evident. Roe deer from the Northern coastal habitats (high humidity and roe deer density) had the highest prevalence, compared with low prevalence in Central Spain (arid areas and low roe deer density). There was a positive correlation between antibody prevalence and mean annual rainfall (r(s)=0.85, n=8, P<0.01). These findings have environmental and/or public health implications because venison can be an important meat source of T. gondii infections for humans and feral cats.     

Immune response and protective efficacy against homologous challenge in BALB/c mice vaccinated with DNA vaccine encoding Toxoplasma gondii actin depolymerizing factor gene

A DNA vaccine (pVAX1-TgADF) encoding Toxoplasma gondii actin depolymerizing factor (ADF) gene was constructed and the immune response and protective efficacy of this vaccine against homologous challenge in BALB/c mice were evaluated. High titers of specific antibody and increases in the percentage of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocyte cells were observed from BALB/c mice vaccinated with pVAX1-TgADF (P<0.05), when PBS group was used as control. The survival time of BALB/c mice in pVAX1-TgADF group was longer than those in control groups. The numbers of brain cysts in the experimental BALB/c mice immunized with pVAX1-TgADF reduced significantly compared with those in PBS group (P<0.05), and the rate of reduction could reach to around 42.8%. These results suggested that the DNA vaccine pVAX1-TgADF could generate specific humoral and cellular immune responses, prolong survival times, and reduce brain cysts load against T. gondii infection in BALB/c mice.     

几种检测弓形虫血清抗体方法的比较分析

本文对5种弓形虫血清IgG抗体检测方法进行比较评价。5种方法平行检测了80份血清,比较各检测方法的阳性检出率,敏感性,特异性,符合率及Youden指数。结果经配对2检验,ELISA-200,IHA,MAT,SPA-ELISA 4种方法在阳性检出率、平行检测结果之间无显著性差异(P<0.05)。ELISA-200敏感性、特异性和符合率均高于90%,Youden指数(0.85)显著高于其他方法(P<0.05)。IHA,MAT,SPA-ELISA 3种方法各指标处于中等水平,各有适合的检测环境。ELISA-100与其他四种方法在检测结果上差异极显著(P<0.01),特异性(38.3%)、符合率(58.75%)及Youden指数(0.383)都显著低于其他方法。     

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of circulating antigens of Toxoplasma gondii in the serum of cats

An ELISA was developed to detect circulating antigens of Toxoplasma gondii in the serum of cats. For the experiment, toxoplasmosis was induced in a group of cats by oral administration of bradyzoites. An ELISA that detects anti-Toxoplasma IgG, an ELISA to detect circulating antigens, and fecal examinations were performed on samples from each cat for 1 year after inoculation. When coupled with IgG-class antibody measurement, antigen detection can aid in the diagnosis of some cases of subclinical feline toxoplasmosis.     

Relation between the occurrence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and clinical findings in cats

Within a three-year period, 178 clinically healthy and 442 sick cats (patients of the Clinic for Small Animal Diseases of the University of Veterinary Medicine, Brno) were examined for the presence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 34.8% of the animals without clinical signs of the disease and in 54.3% of the sick cats (P less than 0.01). Compared with the group of clinically healthy cats, the specific antibodies occurred significantly more frequently in the cats suffering from diseases of the digestive tract (P less than 0.01), particularly in those with acute gastroenteritis, and in those having liver disorders (P less than 0.01; P less than 0.05). A statistically significantly higher occurrence of antibodies to T. gondii was also recorded in the cats with disorders of the nervous system (P less than 0.05; P less than 0.01), particularly in those with symptoms of extraordinary aggressivity at the age span from four months to three years. Enlarged lymph nodes were found out in 44% of the cats having antibodies to T. gondii. This is 15% more than the average for the investigated set of animals, which is a statistically significant dependence (P less than 0.01).     

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in free-range chickens in China based on circulating antigens and antibodies

Toxoplasma gondii is widely distributed in humans and other animals including domestic poultry throughout the world, but the data on prevalence of T. gondii in free-ranged (FR) chickens in People's Republic of China (PRC) are limited. In the present study, the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in FR chickens was investigated in 13 provinces/municipalities of China during the period from January to June 2010. A total of 1173 serum samples were collected and assayed for T. gondii circulating antigens (TCA) and antibodies (TCAb) using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Out of this number, 199 samples were TCA positive (16.97%), 226 samples were TCAb positive (19.27%), 69 samples were positive for both TCA and TCAb (5.88%), and the total seropositive rate was found in 356 of 1173 (30.36%). The results of the present survey indicated that infection with T. gondii in FR chickens is widely spread in China.     

细胞渗透肽TAT与3种弓形虫抗原的融合重组表达

为了探索新型弓形虫疫苗的传递系统,本试验分别构建了细胞渗透肽反式转录激活因子(TAT)与3种弓形虫抗原和增强型绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)融合表达的重组质粒,即pET28a-TAT-EGFP,pET28a-TAT-SAG1,pET28a-TAT-GRA4和pET28a-TAT-AMA1质粒。重组质粒被转化到大肠杆菌中并通过IPTG诱导,成功进行了融合表达,表达产物采用Ni-NTA树脂进行纯化,然后进行SDS-PAGE分析。结果得到31 ku的TAT-EGFP融合蛋白、34 ku的TAT-SAG1融合蛋白、38 ku的TAT-GRA4融合蛋白和62 ku的TAT-AMA1融合蛋白,经过Western blotting分析,感染弓形虫的小鼠血清可特异性地识别融合TAT的SAG1、GRA4蛋白和微弱地识别TAT-AMA1蛋白。