Toxoplasma gondii: Identification and immune response against a group of proteins involved in cellular invasion

Exp Parasitol. 2011 Oct 12. [Epub ahead of print]

Toxoplasma gondii: Identification and immune response against a group of proteins involved in cellular invasion.

Azzouz S, Maache M, Osuna A, Lawton P, Pétavy AF.

SourceDepartment of Parasitology and Medical Mycology, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard-Lyon I, ISPB, Faculté de Pharmacie, 8 Avenue Rockefeller, 69373 Lyon Cedex 08, France.

Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an ubiquitous intracellular parasite, causative agent of toxoplasmosis, and a worldwide zoonosis for which an effective vaccine is needed. A group of proteins secreted by tachyzoites during host-cell invasion was isolated from the interaction medium. It induced the permeability of the cells as assessed by alpha-sarcin and consequently facilitated the entry of the parasite into the cells. SDS-PAGE of the purified proteins showed a pattern of four proteins of 67, 42, 32 and 27kDa. MRC-5 cells incubated with the total protein and the different electroeluted bands endured a high cellular death in presence of alpha-sarcin. BALb/C mice immunized with the group of proteins had a mixed Th1/Th2 response and were protected upon challenge with the parasites.

Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Inc.

PMID:22019410[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]