Immunization of C57BL/6 Mice with GRA2 Combined with MPL Conferred Partial Immune Protection against Toxoplasma gondii

Babaie, Jalal; Amiri, Samira; Homayoun, Robab; Azimi, Ebrahim; Mohabati, Reyhaneh; Berizi, Mahboubeh; Sadaie, M. Reza; Golkar, Majid

doi:10.22034/ibj.22.1.22

Immunization of C57BL/6 Mice with GRA2 Combined with MPL Conferred Partial Immune Protection against Toxoplasma gondii

Authors

Jalal Babaie ¹

Samira Amiri ¹

Robab Homayoun ¹

Ebrahim Azimi ¹

Reyhaneh Mohabati ¹

Mahboubeh Berizi ¹

M. Reza Sadaie ²

Majid Golkar ¹

¹ Molecular Parasitology Lab., Department of Parasitology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran

² NovoMed Consulting, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA

10.22034/ibj.22.1.22

Abstract

BBackground: We have previously reported that immunization with GRA 2 antigen of Toxoplasma gondii induces protective immunity in CBA /J (H2k) and BALB/c mice (H2d). We aimed to examine whether immunization of a distinct strain of rodent with recombinant dense granule antigens (GRA2) combined with monophosphorryl lipid A (MPL) adjuvant elicits protective immune response against T. gondii. Methods: C57BL/6 (H2b haplotype) mice were immunized with GRA 2, formulated in MPL adjuvant. Results: Strong humoral response, predominantly of IgG1 subclass and cellular response, IFN-γ, was detected at three weeks post immunization. Mice immunized with GRA 2 had significantly (p < 0.01) fewer brain cysts than those in the adjuvant group, upon challenge infection. Despite the production of a strong antibody response, IFN-γ production and brain cyst reduction were not significant when the immunized mice were infected four months after the immunization. Conclusions: We can conclude that GRA2 immunization partially protects against T. gondii infection in C57BL/6 mice, though the potency and longevity of this antigen as a standalone vaccine may vary in distinct genetic backgrounds. This observation further emphasizes the utility of GRA 2 for incorporation into a multi-antigenic vaccine against T. gondii.

Keywords

Immunization

GRA2

Toxoplasma

MPL