刚地弓形虫微线体蛋白3的研究进展

微线体蛋白3(MIC3)是刚地弓形虫生活史各个时期均能表达的分泌蛋白,具有较强的免疫反应性,在弓形虫对宿主细胞的识别、黏附及入侵过程中发挥重要作用。深入研究弓形虫MIC3有助于研制弓形虫病诊断制剂及疫苗以防制弓形虫病。文章综述了近年来关于MIC3的分子生物学特征、相关疫苗及其用于弓形虫病诊断方面的研究进展。     

弓形虫微线体蛋白4的表达及其应用

根据已发表的弓形虫微线体蛋白4(MIC4)序列进行生物信息学分析并设计引物扩增RH株中的目的基因,将扩增产物链接到pET-28a(+)载体并转化大肠杆菌感受态细胞进行诱导表达,用纯化后去除内毒素的重组蛋白免疫BALB/c小鼠,通过监测抗体水平、Western blot和激光共聚焦方法鉴定其免疫原性并初步分析其生物学功能。结果显示,mic4基因ORF编码580个氨基酸残基,去除信号肽(25个氨基酸残基)后的PCR产物长度为1 686 bp,重组蛋白的理论相对分子质量为63 830,与其他物种的同源性较低,在pH7.5和IPTG浓度为0.5 mmol/L时18℃培养可溶性表达,血液中的抗体水平随着免疫次数的增加而升高,3免之后抗体滴度达到1∶8 000以上,抗体可以识别排泄分泌抗原(ESA)中的MIC4,MIC4主要位于速殖子前部的细胞质和膜表面。结果表明,重组MIC4是ESA的成分并且分泌之前分布于虫体前部,具有良好的特异性和免疫原性。     

弓形虫微线体蛋白6,7,8与宿主Spata3,Dkk2蛋白相互作用的研究

为了研究弓形虫微线体蛋白6(MIC6)、7(MIC7)及8(MIC8)是否与宿主精子生成相关蛋白3(Spata3)和Dickkopf相关蛋白2(Dkk2)互作,首先从弓形虫RH虫株cDNA中扩增了弓形虫MIC6、MIC7及MIC8基因,并从小鼠cDNA中扩增了Spata3和Dkk2基因。然后分别构建pGADT7-MIC6、pGADT7-MIC7和pGADT7-MIC8捕获载体及pGBKT7-Spata3和pGBKT-Dkk2诱饵载体。利用Clon Tech公司的MatchmakerTM Gold Yeast Two-Hybrid系统,将诱饵载体分别转化Y2HGold酵母菌,将捕获载体分别转化Y187酵母菌,最后通过酵母点对点验证分析弓形虫MIC6、MIC7和MIC8蛋白是否与宿主Spata3和Dkk2蛋白互作。结果表明:在酵母双杂交系统里MIC7和MIC8蛋白分别能够与宿主Spata3和Dkk2蛋白互作,而MIC6不能够与宿主Spata3和Dkk2蛋白互作。     

弓形虫微线体蛋白MIC9的原核表达及免疫反应性分析

为深入了解弓形虫微线体蛋白9(MIC9)基因功能,以弓形虫RH株总基因组为模板PCR扩增MIC9基因片段,并构建MIC9的原核表达载体,采用Western blot对其免疫反应性进行鉴定分析。结果显示:扩增出大小为903 bp的MIC9基因片段,与预期结果一致;成功构建了pMD-18T-MIC9克隆质粒和pGEX-4T-1-MIC9原核表达载体,经过双酶切及测序鉴定正确,且能够在大肠杆菌中成功表达,表达蛋白的分子量为59 kDa;经免疫反应性鉴定,MIC9重组蛋白能够被弓形虫全虫抗体特异性识别,证明重组蛋白MIC9具有一定的免疫反应性。研究结果为弓形虫MIC9基因免疫功能的后续研究提供了参考。     

弓形虫微线体蛋白MIC3及其构建的核酸疫苗研究进展

弓形虫病（Toxoplasmosis）又称弓浆虫病或弓形体病,是由刚地弓形虫（Toxoplasma gondii）引起的一种严重人兽共患机会性原虫病。弓形虫属于真球目弓形虫科,是一种专性细胞内寄生原虫,几乎可感染包括人类在内的所有哺乳动物、鸟类和爬行类动物。该病的感染率极为普遍,     

弓形虫GJS株pcDNA3-MIC3核酸疫苗的研究

根据GenBank中MIC3基因序列设计1对引物,采用PCR技术从弓形虫GJS株基因组DNA中扩增微线体蛋白3(MIC3)基因片段,克隆到pMD18-T载体,经PCR、酶切及测序鉴定后,阳性重组质粒酶切并亚克隆到真核表达载体pcDNA3.1(+)后进行PCR、酶切及测序鉴定.重组质粒pcDNA3-MIC3肌肉注射免疫BALB/c小鼠,通过ELISA检测血清特异抗体;经腹腔攻击感染弓形虫GJS株速殖子,观察小鼠的生存时间.结果成功构建了pcD-NA3-MIC3质粒;免疫组小鼠血清检测到特异性抗体;攻击感染后免疫组小鼠平均存活时间较对照组明显延长.表明该核酸疫苗具有较好的免疫原性,能诱导小鼠产生良好的免疫保护作用.     

刚地弓形虫棒状体蛋白18及其作为基因工程疫苗候选分子研究进展

刚地弓形虫棒状体蛋白18(rhoptry protein18,ROP18)是由棒状体分泌的、属于棒状体蛋白2家族的一员,具有丝氨酸/苏氨酸激酶活性,在虫体入侵和毒力的发挥方面起着重要作用。论文就ROP18蛋白的结构、毒力和作用机制及其作为基因疫苗候选分子的研究现状进行综述。     

弓形虫4个假定蛋白基因缺失株的构建及其基本生物功能学研究

旨在探究4个与MIC相关的假定蛋白在弓形虫速殖子阶段的作用及基因缺失对毒力的影响。在线设计TGME49_222975、TGME49_275798、TGME49_238220和TGME49_238210的sgRNA序列,用PCR将pSAG1：：CAS9-U6：：sgUPRT模板上的sgUPRT突变为相应的sgRNA,获得目的基因的CRISPR质粒。将获得的目的基因质粒和DHFR片段混合后电转入弓形虫速殖子,经乙胺嘧啶单克隆筛选后,PCR鉴定成功即得目的基因缺失株。再用目的基因缺失株和RH野生株进行复制、逸出、噬斑和小鼠毒力试验,比较二者各项试验结果,以评定目的基因对于弓形虫速殖子功能和毒力的影响。结果显示：目的基因缺失株和野生株RH在相同时间内形成的含有1、2、4、8、16个速殖子的纳虫空泡数占比差异不显著（P>0.05）,纳虫空泡内速殖子在钙离子刺激下2 min内均可全部逸出,相同条件和时间培养形成的噬斑大小和面积差异不显著（P>0.05）,接种相同数目速殖子的小鼠自开始死亡到全部死亡时间差别不显著（P>0.05）。本研究成功构建了4个弓形虫MIC相关基因的缺失株（RHΔTGME49_222975、RHΔTGME49_275798、RHΔTGME49_238200和RHΔTGME49_238210）,但毒力与野生株毒力均差异不显著,说明这4个基因均不是弓形虫的重要“独立”毒力因子,但可能在其他方面发挥着重要的生物学功能。本研究初步解析了4个弓形虫MIC相关蛋白的基本生物学功能,为后期全面解析弓形虫蛋白功能提供数据。     

弓形虫微线体蛋白MIC3基因的克隆及原核表达

根据编码MIC3的已知基因序列设计并合成一对引物,应用PCR技术从弓形虫RH株的基因组DNA中扩增编码MIC3的全长基因,克隆入pGEX-KG表达载体,转化入E.coli DH5α感受态细胞,经含氨苄青霉素琼脂平板筛选,小量抽提质粒进行酶切、PCR及DNA测序鉴定.然后阳性重组质粒转化入E.coli BL21-CodonPlus,IPTG诱导,表达产物经SDS-PAGE和Western-blot分析鉴定.结果显示,扩增的MIC3基因与GenBank中相应基因序列（AJ132530）的同源性达99.6 %,表达的MIC3融合蛋白表观分子量约为66 ku,且可被兔抗弓形虫免疫血清识别.说明所获得的表达蛋白质具有一定的反应原性,为下一步利用重组蛋白建立弓形虫的诊断方法和研制弓形虫的亚单位疫苗奠定了基础.     

弓形虫不同发育时期棒状体颈部蛋白5基因的表达研究

为探究不同发育时期弓形虫棒状体颈部蛋白5（Toxoplasma gondii rhoptry neck protein 5,TgRON5）基因的表达情况与其毒力的相关性,本试验以Ⅱ型弓形虫PRU虫株作为研究对象,以弓形虫管家基因ACT1作为内参基因,分别对目的基因和内参基因设计特异性引物,通过对各基因建立标准曲线,确定二者扩增效率的一致性后,采用实时荧光定量PCR相对定量法对弓形虫4个不同发育时期（速殖子、缓殖子、未孢子化卵囊及孢子化卵囊）中TgRON5基因的表达情况进行检测与分析。结果显示,TgRON5基因在弓形虫各发育时期均有表达,其中,孢子化卵囊表达水平最高,未孢子化卵囊次之,速殖子较低,缓殖子最低,表明RON5蛋白的合成与分泌与虫体入侵宿主细胞的侵袭力有着密切的关系。本研究结果为阐明TgRON5蛋白参与弓形虫入侵的机理奠定了基础。     

几种检测猪弓形虫病ELISA诊断试剂盒的对比

以人工感染弓形虫的猪阳性血清及感染前的阴性血清为样品,比较3个国产(A、B、C)和2个国外(D、E)ELISA试剂盒检测猪弓形虫病的敏感性。用这5种ELISA试剂盒,检测人工感染弓形虫的猪阳性血清42份及感染前的阴性血清45份,并参考PCR扩增结果,比较这5种ELISA试剂盒检测猪弓形虫病的敏感性。5种试剂盒中,1种国产试剂盒的检测结果与PCR结果完全一致,其余4种试剂盒的检测结果都与PCR检测结果差别较大。结果表明,国产试剂盒A的检测效果最佳,国外试剂盒与部分国内试剂盒的检测结果相当,临床选用试剂盒时,可选择检测效果最佳的试剂盒A,不必盲目选择国外试剂盒。     

Population genetics of Toxoplasma gondii: new perspectives from parasite genotypes in wildlife

Toxoplasma gondii, a zoonotic protozoal parasite, is well-known for its global distribution and its ability to infect virtually all warm-blooded vertebrates. Nonetheless, attempts to describe the population structure of T. gondii have been primarily limited to samples isolated from humans and domesticated animals. More recent studies, however, have made efforts to characterize T. gondii isolates from a wider range of host species and geographic locales. These findings have dramatically changed our perception of the extent of genetic diversity in T. gondii and the relative roles of sexual recombination and clonal propagation in the parasite's lifecycle. In particular, identification of novel, disease-causing T. gondii strains in wildlife has raised concerns from both a conservation and public health perspective as to whether distinct domestic and sylvatic parasite gene pools exist. If so, overlap of these cycles may represent regions of high probability of disease emergence. Here, we attempt to answer these key questions by reviewing recent studies of T. gondii infections in wildlife, highlighting those which have advanced our understanding of the genetic diversity and population biology of this important zoonotic pathogen.     

Biologic and molecular characterization of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from pigs from Portugal

Little is known of Toxoplasma gondii infections in animals in Portugal. In the present paper, we report the first isolation of viable T. gondii from pigs in Portugal. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 52 (15.6%) of 333 pigs prior to slaughter using the modified agglutination test (MAT) at a serum dilution of 1:20. Attempts were made to isolate T. gondii from 37 seropositive pigs. Samples of brain and/or heart from each pig were digested in acid pepsin, and bioassayed into mice. Viable T. gondii was isolated from 15 pigs. Restriction fragment length polymorphism on products of SAG2 locus amplified by PCR and microsatellite analysis revealed that 11 isolates were Type II and four were Type III. The results indicate that phenotypically and genetically T. gondii are similar to isolates from pigs from the U.S.     

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in Norwegian dairy goats

Background

Toxoplasma gondii is a major problem for the sheep industry as it may cause reproduction problems. The importance of T. gondii in Norwegian goat herds is uncertain, but outbreaks of toxoplasmosis in dairy goat farms have been recorded. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of T. gondii infection in Norwegian dairy goats by using serology.

Findings

Goat serum originally collected as part of two nationwide surveillance and control programmes between 2002 and 2008 were examined for T. gondii antibodies by using direct agglutination test. In total, 55 of 73 herds (75%) had one or more serologically positive animals, while 377 of 2188 (17%) of the individual samples tested positive for T. gondii antibodies.

Conclusions

This is the first prevalence study of T. gondii infection in Norwegian goats. The results show that Norwegian goat herds are commonly exposed to T. gondii. Nevertheless, the majority of goat herds have a low prevalence of antibody positive animals, which make them vulnerable to infections with T. gondii during the gestation period.     

弓形虫棒状蛋白17基因的克隆与序列分析

为研究弓形虫棒状体蛋白17(ROP17)基因的遗传变异,本研究以弓形虫RH株、PRU株和TgC7株为研究对象,首次PCR扩增了其ROP17基因部分序列,将PCR产物纯化后克隆到pMD18-T并测序。将测定的序列与网上下载的弓形虫VEG株、GT1株和ME49株相应序列进行比对,然后用Mega 5.0程序的NJ法和Puzzle 5.2程序的ML法构建系统发育树。结果表明,3株弓形虫分离株的ROP17基因部分序列长度均为1375 bp,A+T含量在49.53%~50.04%之间,3个虫株相应序列的变异碱基数皆小于20个,其变异率为2.3%,氨基酸序列变异率在0~6.11%之间。系统发育结果显示, ROP17基因部分序列能区分弓形虫基因Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型的虫株。本研究结果为进一步研究弓形虫ROP17基因的变异及研制弓形虫ROP17基因的亚单位疫苗提供了理论依据。     

Serological survey of Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic cats from northeastern Portugal

Cats are very important hosts in the epidemiological cycle of Toxoplasma gondii, a zoonotic protozoan parasite that can infect humans and many other animal species worldwide. We report a serological survey of antibodies to T. gondii in domestic cats from northeastern Portugal, by means of the modified agglutination test. Three cats had titres of 20 (3.9%), 18 had titres of 40 (23.7%) and 55 animals had titres of > or =800 (72.4%). Results of three seropositive kittens with less than 4 months were not considered for determining the seroprevalence of infection, which was found to be 35.8% (73/204). Differences in the seroprevalence levels were not statistically significant between males (35.6%) and females (36.0%) or pure non-European (26.7%) and European or mixed-breed cats (39.6%). Animals aged 36-71 months and 72-180 months had the highest seroprevalences of infection, i.e. 51.7% and 51.2%, respectively, which significantly differ from the values observed in cats with 2-11 months (14.6%) and 12-35 months (26.3%). Infection levels were also significantly different between cats that lived totally indoors (7.7%) and those that had access to outdoors (45.4%), as well as between cats living alone (13.8%) and those that had contact with other cats (39.4%). Seroprevalence values in cats fed only commercial canned or dried food (22.9%) and animals whose diet included raw or undercooked viscera and/or meat (53.5%) were also significantly different. Furthermore, considering only 108 cats, differences of seropositivity to T. gondii were significant between feline immunodeficiency virus infected and non-infected animals, but this was not observed for feline leukaemia virus. Age, habitat and diet were identified as risk factors for the feline T. gondii infection by logistic regression analysis. Some control measures are suggested based on these findings.     

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in stray cats in Sari, northern Iran

Cats are important in the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii because they are the only hosts that can excrete environmentally resistant oocysts. T.gondii is a major zoonotic agent which infects up to one-third of the world population. Toxoplasmosis in neonates and immunocompromised patients can lead to severe disease and death. A cross- sectional parasitological and serological survey with latex agglutination test (LAT) to detect anti-T. gondii antibodies was conducted on 100 serum samples collected from stray cats in five urban areas of Sari, Northern Iran, from April to November 2004. Classification by age, sex, weight, season and region was made. Results analyzed according to specific variables. The overall prevalence of T. gondii IgG antibodies (LAT titre ≥1:1) were found in 40 of 100(40%) of stray cats, with regional variations. Overall 16 of 100(16%) of stray cats had diagnostically significant antibody titres (LAT ≥ 1:64). Prevalence was significantly higher in adult cats (1.5–3.0 kg, 54.5% of 66) than in juvenile cats and kittens (≤1.4 kg, 11.8% of 34) and higher in female stray cats (44.4% of 72) than in male stray cats (28.6% of 28). Toxoplasma seroprevalence was highest in the season of spring (22.4%). There was a significant difference in the prevalence of infection relative to host age and weight (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between the prevalence of infection relative to host gender, urban sites and season (P > 0.05). Prevalence of T. gondii oocyst was also analyzed by a routine coprological method in 100 cats. T. gondii oocysts were not found in any faecal samples analyzed. Only 2 out of 100 smear preparations of intestinal mucosa showed trophozoites of T. gondii.     

Genotyping studies of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from Africa revealed that the archetypal clonal lineages predominate as in North America and Europe

Until recently, Toxoplasma gondii was considered to be clonal with very little genetic variability. Recent studies indicate that T. gondii isolates from Brazil are genetically and biologically different from T. gondii isolates from USA and Europe. However, little is known of the genetics of T. gondii strains from Africa. In this study, we genotyped 19 T. gondii isolates from chickens from six African countries (Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Congo, Mali, and Burkina Fasco) using 10 PCR-RFLP markers (SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and Apico). The results revealed four genotypes. Thirteen isolates belong to the Type III lineage, five isolates have Type II alleles at all loci except apico and they belong to the Type II lineage. One isolate from Nigeria had atypical genotype. In general, these isolates were mostly clonal Type III and II strains that predominate in North American and European. DNA sequencing at several loci for representative isolates confirmed the results of PCR-RFLP genotyping. Taken together with recent studies of T. gondii isolates from Africa, it is clear that the three clonal lineages (Types I, II and III) predominate not only in North America and Europe, but also in Africa.