Research on inner membrane complex protein 1: a novel nanovaccines against Toxoplasma gondii
Abstract Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a globally prevalent zoonotic parasite causing severe health and economic impacts. Despite decades of research, no commercial vaccine provides comprehensive protection against both acute and chronic toxoplasmosis. DNA vaccines represent a promising strategy,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Veterinary Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04961-z |
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| author | YunNan Fang Pan Zhou WeiYu Qi YanLi Yu XiaoJuan Wang YuChen Jiang Li Zhang YouLi Yu JianDong Wang ZhengQing Yu TingLi Liu |
| author_facet | YunNan Fang Pan Zhou WeiYu Qi YanLi Yu XiaoJuan Wang YuChen Jiang Li Zhang YouLi Yu JianDong Wang ZhengQing Yu TingLi Liu |
| author_sort | YunNan Fang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a globally prevalent zoonotic parasite causing severe health and economic impacts. Despite decades of research, no commercial vaccine provides comprehensive protection against both acute and chronic toxoplasmosis. DNA vaccines represent a promising strategy, but their application is hindered by low delivery efficiency and limited immunogenicity. Here, we developed and evaluated pVAX1-TgIMC1-loaded PLGA and chitosan (CS) nanospheres as potential vaccine candidates. Immunization studies in mice showed that pVAX1-TgIMC1/PLGA and pVAX1-TgIMC1/CS nanospheres induced robust humoral and cellular immune responses, significantly enhancing specific IgG levels and cytokine production IFN-γ and IL-17 compared to the naked DNA vaccine. Both nanospheres also promoted dendritic cell maturation and T-cell activation, resulting in reduced parasite burdens in cardiac tissues post-challenge. Notably, the PLGA nanospheres exhibited superior protection against acute toxoplasmosis, while CS nanospheres provided additional advantages in antigen stability and delivery. The nanospheres were non-toxic, as confirmed by biochemical markers and histopathological analysis. These findings highlight pVAX1-TgIMC1/PLGA and pVAX1-TgIMC1/CS nanospheres as promising candidates for T. gondii vaccine development, warranting further optimization and validation in broader animal models. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0cf0d3f7f23d4b0d90c659a0a0e56a31 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1746-6148 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Veterinary Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-0cf0d3f7f23d4b0d90c659a0a0e56a312025-08-24T11:35:01ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482025-08-0121111810.1186/s12917-025-04961-zResearch on inner membrane complex protein 1: a novel nanovaccines against Toxoplasma gondiiYunNan Fang0Pan Zhou1WeiYu Qi2YanLi Yu3XiaoJuan Wang4YuChen Jiang5Li Zhang6YouLi Yu7JianDong Wang8ZhengQing Yu9TingLi Liu10School of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia UniversitySchool of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia UniversitySchool of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia UniversitySchool of economics and management, Ningxia UniversitySchool of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia UniversitySchool of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia UniversitySchool of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia UniversityInstitute of Animal Science, Ningxia Academy of Agricultural and Forestry ScienceInstitute of Animal Science, Ningxia Academy of Agricultural and Forestry ScienceSchool of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia UniversityDepartment of Medical Laboratory, Fenyang College of Shanxi Medical UniversityAbstract Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a globally prevalent zoonotic parasite causing severe health and economic impacts. Despite decades of research, no commercial vaccine provides comprehensive protection against both acute and chronic toxoplasmosis. DNA vaccines represent a promising strategy, but their application is hindered by low delivery efficiency and limited immunogenicity. Here, we developed and evaluated pVAX1-TgIMC1-loaded PLGA and chitosan (CS) nanospheres as potential vaccine candidates. Immunization studies in mice showed that pVAX1-TgIMC1/PLGA and pVAX1-TgIMC1/CS nanospheres induced robust humoral and cellular immune responses, significantly enhancing specific IgG levels and cytokine production IFN-γ and IL-17 compared to the naked DNA vaccine. Both nanospheres also promoted dendritic cell maturation and T-cell activation, resulting in reduced parasite burdens in cardiac tissues post-challenge. Notably, the PLGA nanospheres exhibited superior protection against acute toxoplasmosis, while CS nanospheres provided additional advantages in antigen stability and delivery. The nanospheres were non-toxic, as confirmed by biochemical markers and histopathological analysis. These findings highlight pVAX1-TgIMC1/PLGA and pVAX1-TgIMC1/CS nanospheres as promising candidates for T. gondii vaccine development, warranting further optimization and validation in broader animal models.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04961-zToxoplasma gondiiInner membrane complex 1Nanomaterial nanospheresImmunoprotection |
| spellingShingle | YunNan Fang Pan Zhou WeiYu Qi YanLi Yu XiaoJuan Wang YuChen Jiang Li Zhang YouLi Yu JianDong Wang ZhengQing Yu TingLi Liu Research on inner membrane complex protein 1: a novel nanovaccines against Toxoplasma gondii BMC Veterinary Research Toxoplasma gondii Inner membrane complex 1 Nanomaterial nanospheres Immunoprotection |
| title | Research on inner membrane complex protein 1: a novel nanovaccines against Toxoplasma gondii |
| title_full | Research on inner membrane complex protein 1: a novel nanovaccines against Toxoplasma gondii |
| title_fullStr | Research on inner membrane complex protein 1: a novel nanovaccines against Toxoplasma gondii |
| title_full_unstemmed | Research on inner membrane complex protein 1: a novel nanovaccines against Toxoplasma gondii |
| title_short | Research on inner membrane complex protein 1: a novel nanovaccines against Toxoplasma gondii |
| title_sort | research on inner membrane complex protein 1 a novel nanovaccines against toxoplasma gondii |
| topic | Toxoplasma gondii Inner membrane complex 1 Nanomaterial nanospheres Immunoprotection |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04961-z |
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