Mimotope-based antigens as potential vaccine candidates in experimental murine cysticercosis

Parasitology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 147 (12) ◽  
pp. 1330-1337
Author(s):  
Marianna Nascimento Manhani ◽  
Cristiane Queixa Tilelli ◽  
Vanessa da Silva Ribeiro ◽  
Luiz Ricardo Goulart ◽  
Julia Maria Costa-Cruz
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Candidate ◽  
Taenia Solium ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Vaccine Candidates ◽  
Potential Vaccine ◽  
Phosphate Buffered Saline ◽  
Parasite Challenge

AbstractHuman cysticercosis is a public health problem caused by Taenia solium metacestodes; thus, eradication of T. solium transmission by vaccination is an urgent requirement. The Cc48 mimotope from T. solium cysticerci was tested expressed in phage particles (mCc48) and chemically synthesized (sCc48) as a vaccine candidate in experimental murine cysticercosis. For this, BALB/c mice were immunized with mCc48 (G1; n = 40), sCc48 (G2; n = 40) and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (G3; n = 40, positive control) and challenged with Taenia crassiceps metacestodes. Another PBS group without parasite challenge was used as a negative control (G4; n = 40). Mice were sacrificed 15, 30, 45 and 60 days post-infection for cysticerci and serum collection. Immunization efficacy was determined by cysticerci counting. Serum samples were tested by ELISA to verify antibody (IgM, IgG, IgA and IgE) and cytokine (IFNγ and IL-4) levels. The sCc48 achieved the highest rates of protection and efficacy (90 and 98%, respectively). The group immunized with mCc48 presented the highest reactivity for IgM, IgG and IgE. All groups presented IL-4, but IFNγ was quite variable among groups. The protection induced by sCc48 synthetic peptide supports further studies of this mimotope as a potential vaccine candidate against cysticercosis.

scholarly journals ReVac: a reverse vaccinology computational pipeline for prioritization of prokaryotic protein vaccine candidates

BMC Genomics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adonis D’Mello ◽  
Christian P. Ahearn ◽  
Timothy F. Murphy ◽  
Hervé Tettelin
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Experimental Testing ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Reverse Vaccinology ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Protein Vaccine ◽  
Vaccine Candidates ◽  
Variable Expression ◽  
Prediction Tools ◽  
Potential Vaccine

Abstract Background Reverse vaccinology accelerates the discovery of potential vaccine candidates (PVCs) prior to experimental validation. Current programs typically use one bacterial proteome to identify PVCs through a filtering architecture using feature prediction programs or a machine learning approach. Filtering approaches may eliminate potential antigens based on limitations in the accuracy of prediction tools used. Machine learning approaches are heavily dependent on the selection of training datasets with experimentally validated antigens (positive control) and non-protective-antigens (negative control). The use of one or few bacterial proteomes does not assess PVC conservation among strains, an important feature of vaccine antigens. Results We present ReVac, which implements both a panoply of feature prediction programs without filtering out proteins, and scoring of candidates based on predictions made on curated positive and negative control PVCs datasets. ReVac surveys several genomes assessing protein conservation, as well as DNA and protein repeats, which may result in variable expression of PVCs. ReVac’s orthologous clustering of conserved genes, identifies core and dispensable genome components. This is useful for determining the degree of conservation of PVCs among the population of isolates for a given pathogen. Potential vaccine candidates are then prioritized based on conservation and overall feature-based scoring. We present the application of ReVac, applied to 69 Moraxella catarrhalis and 270 non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae genomes, prioritizing 64 and 29 proteins as PVCs, respectively. Conclusion ReVac’s use of a scoring scheme ranks PVCs for subsequent experimental testing. It employs a redundancy-based approach in its predictions of features using several prediction tools. The protein’s features are collated, and each protein is ranked based on the scoring scheme. Multi-genome analyses performed in ReVac allow for a comprehensive overview of PVCs from a pan-genome perspective, as an essential pre-requisite for any bacterial subunit vaccine design. ReVac prioritized PVCs of two human respiratory pathogens, identifying both novel and previously validated PVCs.

scholarly journals IN VITRO EVALUATION OF THE ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITY OF RHIZOME EXTRACTS OF CURCUMA LONGA (LINN.)

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 425
Author(s):  
Jyoti Pandey ◽  
Suman Mishra ◽  
Kamal Jaiswal
Keyword(s):  
Curcuma Longa ◽  
Anthelmintic Activity ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Phytochemical Analysis ◽  
Alternative Source ◽  
Significant Efficacy ◽  
Phosphate Buffered Saline

Objective: The current study was carried out to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of the rhizome extract of Curcuma longa as an alternative source of effective remedies for nematodiasis.Methods: The anthelmintic activity of the C. longa was assessed in vitro against Haemonchus spp., a gastrointestinal (abomasum) parasite of goats. Different concentrations of the extracts (1 mg/mL, 2.5 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL, and 10 mg/mL) in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) were tested, and the results expressed in terms of time of paralysis (minute) and time of death (minute) of the worms. Albendazole (1 mg/mL) was used as a reference (positive control) and PBS as a control group (negative control).Results: The qualitative phytochemical analysis of the methanolic extract (ME) of the plant disclosed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, phenol, anthraquinone, and carbohydrates; whereas, the aqueous extract (AE) showed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrate, flavonoids, and saponins. Both ME and AE of the C. longa (rhizome) expressed significant efficacy (p≤0.05) in causing paralysis as well as the death of the worms within 12 h of exposure at all tested concentrations, as compared to the negative control. The rhizome extracts of C. longa showed dose-dependent efficacy in causing paralysis of the worm motility and the final progression to death. The results showed that the ME at 10 mg/mL was significantly more potent (p≤0.05) over the AE.Conclusions: This study concluded that the rhizome extract of C. longa exhibited potent anthelmintic efficacy against the nematode parasite, Haemonchus spp.

Seroprevalence of human Taenia solium cysticercosis in Haiti

2009 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.P. Raccurt ◽  
P. Agnamey ◽  
J. Boncy ◽  
J.-H. Henrys ◽  
A. Totet
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Taenia Solium ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Western Blots

AbstractHuman Taenia solium cysticercosis is common in developing countries due to poor sanitary conditions and economics based on breeding livestock, especially pigs, with low hygiene standards. Neurocysticercosis, caused by migration of the larvae of the tapeworm in the nervous system, is the leading cause of acquired epilepsy in adults in Central and South America, sub-Saharan Africa, and East and South Asia. This makes neurocysticercosis a large public health problem in developing countries. Two clinical cases of neurocysticercosis have been observed recently in Haiti. In order to evaluate the prevalence of human T. solium cysticercosis in this country, in 2007 we conducted a cross-sectional serological retrospective survey using a Western blotting test (LDBIO Diagnostics®) in Port-au-Prince, where sewage systems are rare and swine usually roam freely throughout the area. A total of 216 serum samples, obtained from healthy adults seen in the work setting of periodical medical visits, were tested after storage at − 20°C. The frequency of antibodies in serum samples of the study population was 2.8% (6/216). The immunodominant bands recognized in Western blots were 23–26 kDa (100%), 39 kDa (67%), 45 kDa and 6–8 kDa (50%), 50–55 kDa (33%). These results confirm for the first time an endemic situation of cysticercosis in humans in Haiti, with similar prevalence as that reported in other Latin American and African countries. It reinforces the urgent need for control and prevention measures to be taken by local public health services.

scholarly journals Mahkota Dewa (God’s Crown) Fruit Extract Inhibits the Formation of Periodontal Pathogen Biofilms in vitro

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diajeng Celia Radita ◽  
Armelia Sari Widyarman
Keyword(s):  
Brain Heart Infusion ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Periodontal Pathogen ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Fruit Extract ◽  
Fruit Extracts ◽  
Level Of Significance ◽  
Phosphate Buffered Saline

Introduction: Mahkota dewa (Phaleria macrocarpa) is an Indonesian fruit that contains antibacterial compounds, such as flavonoids, saponins, and tannins; it has been used as an alternative treatment for controlling infection. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effect of mahkota dewa fruit extract on the formation of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A. actinomycetemcomitans), and Treponema denticola (T. denticola) biofilms in vitro. Methods: God’s crown fruit was extracted using the maceration technique, and then diluted into different concentrations (25%, 12.5%, 6.25%, 3.125%, and 1.56%) using phosphate buffered saline (PBS). P. gingivalis ATCC-33277, A. actinomycetemcomitans ATCC-29522, or T. denticola ATCC-35405 were cultured in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth, 24h (anaerobic-condition), and then each type of bacteria (108CFU/mL) was distributed into a 96-well microplate to form a biofilm. Subsequently, the fruit extracts were distributed into the biofilm-containing well plates and incubated for 1h, 6h, and 24h. A biofilm without the fruit extract and chlorhexidine-gluconate (0.2%) was used as the negative and positive control, respectively. Crystal violet (0.5%w/v) was used to determine the density of the remaining biofilm using a microplate spectrophotometer (600 nm). Data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA, and p <0.05 was set as the level of significance. Results: The mahkota dewa fruit extracts significantly inhibited the formation of a biofilm for all three bacterial strains at all concentrations and for each incubation time (p <0.05) based on optical density (OD)±SD.  The best concentration of fruit extract to inhibit biofilm formation was 25% for P. gingivalis (OD=0.19±0.06), 12.5% for A. actinomycetemcomitans (OD=0.14 ± 0.16), and 25% for T. denticola (OD=1.17±0.19) in comparison to the biofilm mass of the negative control, which was 1.67±0.06, 1.17±0.34, 2.66±0.38 for P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans, and T. denticola, respectively. Conclusion: Based on these results, mahkota dewa fruit extract can inhibit the formation of biofilm on P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans, and T. denticola, and it may potentially be used to prevent the infection associated with periodontal disease.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Mesenchymal Cells (MSC) and Dapsone for the Treatment of Dermonecrotic Wounds Caused by Loxosceles laeta Venom in Rabbits

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guilherme Martins ◽  
Maira Oliveira ◽  
Ana Flávia Botelho ◽  
Conrado Gamba ◽  
Clara Duarte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Intradermal Injection ◽  
Wound Contraction ◽  
Histopathological Analysis ◽  
Male Adult ◽  
Regenerative Therapies ◽  
Phosphate Buffered Saline ◽  
Loxosceles Laeta

We studied the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), either alone or associated with dapsone (DAP) in the treatment of dermonecrotic wounds caused by Loxosceles laeta spider venom. Twenty-five male adult rabbits were distributed into five groups, of which four groups received an intradermal injection of 20 &mu;g of L. laeta venom and only one received ultrapure water (negative control). After 4 hours, each group that received venom, was treated with MSC, DAP, MSC + DAP and Phosphate-buffered saline &ndash; PBS (positive control). Photographic records were made for analysis of the wound area evolution by morphometry. Twelve days after treatment, the skin samples around the lesion were removed for subsequent histological analysis. Concerning the rate of wound contraction, we observed that DAP showed the best percentage of contraction at day 3. In the treatments using MSCs, a negative value of wound contraction was observed for the isolated MSCs, as well as a lower contraction value for the association of the MSC + DAP when compared to PBS group. Histopathological analysis showed diminished tissue lesion and less intense inflammation in MSCs and DAP groups. This could indicated potential use of stem cells in regenerative therapies after loxoscelic accidents.

scholarly journals Prostaglandin E2 induces ovulation in prepubertal mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. e182745
Author(s):  
Jéssica de Souza Andrade ◽  
Juliana Pavan Zuliani ◽  
Jaswant Singh ◽  
Sulamita da Silva Setúbal ◽  
Renata Reis da Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Prostaglandin E2 ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Cox1 Gene ◽  
Gene Expressions ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Phosphate Buffered Saline ◽  
Cox2 Expression

The objective of this study was to determine the ability of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) to induce ovulation and expression of PGE2 receptor (EP2 and EP4) and COX genes (COX-1 and COX-2) in the ovary and pituitary of prepubertal mice. The positive control consisted of the application of 5 μg of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH, n = 29); the negative control applied 0.5 mL of phosphate buffered saline (PBS, n=31); the treatment tested the application of 250 μg of PGE2 (n = 29), making a total of 89 prepubertal mice (BALB/c). Mice were euthanized 14 to 15 h after treatments to detect ovulation and tissue collection. A Chi-square test was used to compare the proportion of animals ovulating. Gene expressions and number of ovulation were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test was used to compare means among groups. A greater proportion of mice (P < 0.001) ovulated after receiving GnRH (89.7%, 26/29) compared to PGE2 group (58.6%, 17/29). However, the proportion was higher compared to those treated with PBS (0%, 0/31). Ep2 gene expression in the pituitary was > two-fold higher (P < 0.05) in the PGE2 group compared to the PBS and GnRH groups. Further, PGE2 stimulated Cox1 (2.7 fold, P < 0.05) while GnRH stimulated Cox2 expression (6.5 fold, P < 0.05) in the pituitary when compared to the PBS group. In conclusion, our results support the hypothesis that PGE2 can induce ovulation in prepubertal mice with a concomitant increase in Ep2 and Cox1 gene expression in the pituitary gland.

scholarly journals The Ethanol Extract of Avocado (Persea americana Mill. (Lauraceae)) Seeds Successfully Induces Implant Regression and Restores Ovarian Dynamic in a Rat Model of Endometriosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Stéphane Minko Essono ◽  
Marie Alfrede Mvondo ◽  
Esther Ngadjui ◽  
François Xavier Kemka Nguimatio ◽  
Pierre Watcho
Keyword(s):  
Ethanol Extract ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Persea Americana ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Female Wistar Rats

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease with conventional therapies which do not have desirable effectiveness and possess many side effects. Scientific evidences suggest that medicinal plants with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and/or antiproliferative properties are potential alternatives for the treatment of endometriosis. The ethanol extract of Persea americana Mill. (Lauraceae) seeds was found exhibiting antiproliferative properties in vitro and in vivo. This study therefore is aimed at investigating the effects of such an extract on an experimental model of endometriosis. Endometriosis was induced by grafting uterine fragments onto the peritoneum of female Wistar rats. After checking the success of the transplantation surgery, animals with endometriosis were orally treated with the ethanol extract of P. americana seeds at the doses of 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg. The positive control was treated with letrozole (10 mg/kg) while the negative control received the vehicle. Treatments lasted 7 days and animals were sacrificed thereafter. Endometrial implant volume was determined. Estradiol and progesterone levels were measured in serum samples and endometriosis lesions. The oxidative status of endometriosis lesions was evaluated. Histological analysis of endometriosis lesions, uterus, and ovaries was also performed. Results showed that the ethanol extract of P. americana seeds decreased endometrial implant volume (p<0.001) and serum levels of estradiol and progesterone (p<0.01). The levels of estradiol also decreased in endometriosis lesions at doses of 12.5 and 50 mg/kg (p<0.001). Both malondialdehyde and glutathione levels increased in endometriosis lesions (p<0.001). The ectopic endometrium height decreased and the number of antral follicles and corpora lutea (p<0.05) increased while that of luteinized unruptured follicles decreased (p<0.001). In conclusion, the ethanol extract of P. americana seeds displayed an antiendometriosis effect suggesting that it could be a potential alternative for the treatment of endometriosis.

scholarly journals An imprint method for detecting leptospires in the hamster model of vaccine-mediated immunity for leptospirosis

2009 ◽  
Vol 58 (12) ◽  
pp. 1632-1637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adenizar D. Chagas-Junior ◽  
Alan J. A. McBride ◽  
Daniel A. Athanazio ◽  
Cláudio P. Figueira ◽  
Marco A. Medeiros ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preparation Method ◽  
Vaccine Candidate ◽  
Hamster Model ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Vaccine Candidates ◽  
End Point ◽  
Touch Preparation ◽  
Potential Vaccine ◽  
Kidney Liver ◽  
Sterilizing Immunity

In determining the efficacy of new vaccine candidates for leptospirosis, the primary end point is death and an important secondary end point is sterilizing immunity. However, evaluation of this end point is often hampered by the time-consuming demands and complexity of methods such as culture isolation (CI). In this study, we evaluated the use of an imprint (or touch preparation) method (IM) in detecting the presence of leptospires in tissues of hamsters infected with Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni. In a dissemination study, compared to CI, the IM led to equal or improved detection of leptospires in kidney, liver, lung and blood samples collected post-infection and overall concordance was good (κ=0.61). Furthermore, in an evaluation of hamsters immunized with a recombinant leptospiral protein-based vaccine candidate and subsequently challenged, the agreement between the CI and IM was very good (κ=0.84). These findings indicate that the IM is a rapid method for the direct observation of Leptospira spp. that can be readily applied to evaluating infection in experimental animals and determining sterilizing immunity when screening potential vaccine candidates.

scholarly journals Immunoprotection of Recombinant Leptospiral Immunoglobulin-Like Protein A against Leptospira interrogans Serovar Pomona Infection

2006 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 1745-1750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raghavan U. M. Palaniappan ◽  
Sean P. McDonough ◽  
Thomas J. Divers ◽  
Chia-Sui Chen ◽  
Ming-Jeng Pan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Candidate ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Terminal Region ◽  
Leptospira Interrogans ◽  
Hamster Model ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Leptospira Interrogans Serovar Pomona ◽  
Antibody Titers ◽  
Potential Vaccine ◽  
Phosphate Buffered Saline

ABSTRACTWe previously reported the cloning and characterization of leptospiral immunoglobulin-like proteins LigA and LigB ofLeptospira interrogans. LigA and LigB are conserved at the amino-terminal region but are variable at the carboxyl-terminal region. Here, we evaluate the potential of recombinant LigA (rLigA) as a vaccine candidate against infection byL. interrogansserovar Pomona in a hamster model. rLigA was truncated into conserved (rLigAcon) and variable (rLigAvar) regions and expressed inEscherichia colias a fusion protein with glutathione-S-transferase (rLigA). Golden Syrian hamsters were immunized at 3 and 6 weeks of age with rLigA (rLigAcon and rLigAvar) with aluminum hydroxide as an adjuvant. Hamsters given recombinant glutathione-S-transferase (rGST)-adjuvant and phosphate-buffered saline-adjuvant served as nonvaccinated controls. Three weeks after the last vaccination, all animals were challenged intraperitoneally with 108L. interrogansserovar Pomona bacteria (NVSL 1427-35-093002). All hamsters immunized with recombinant LigA survived after challenge and had no significant histopathological changes. In contrast, nonimmunized and rGST-immunized hamsters were subjected to lethal doses, and the hamsters that survived showed severe tubulointerstitial nephritis. All vaccinated animals showed a rise in antibody titers against rLigA. Results from this study indicate that rLigA is a potential vaccine candidate againstL. interrogansserovar Pomona infection.

scholarly journals Peran Gender Dan Interval Puasa Pada Profil Lipid Tikus Wistar Dengan Diet Atherogenik

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 57
Author(s):  
Rahma Triliana ◽  
Hardadi Airlangga
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Profile ◽  
Hdl Cholesterol ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Atherogenic Diet ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Female Group ◽  
Restricted Feeding ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Restricted Group

 Introduction: Atherogenic diet can induced.hyperlipidemia leading to abnormal lipid profile. Time restricted feeding is proposed as treatment for hyperlipidemia. However, the effect of gender and which type of time-restricted feeding is the best to alter lipid profile is unknown.Method: The study was conducted in female and male wistar rats which was devided into 5 groups, Negative Control (KN, n=8), Positive Control (KP, n=8), Daily restricted group (KRam, n=8), alternate restricted group (KDaud, n=8) and Monday-Thursday restricted group (KSeKa, n=8) respectively. Atherogenic diet were administrated for six weeks followed by 4 weeks of time-restricted feeding. At 15 weeks of age, all rats were humanely culled and serum samples were collected for analyses. Lipid profile were assesed using spectrophotometry and analysed using two way Anova followed by post hoc LSD and p < 0.05 is considered as statiscally significant.Results: Gender and time restricted feeding affects serum total cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol levels while gender influenced HDL and time restricted feeding influenced LDL levels. Both gender and time restricted feeding did not altered trigliseride level. Interestingly, no significant differences were found in lipid profile of KN vs KP in male or female group. Time restricted feeding had no significant effect in male but significant effect on female with higher, undesireable lipid profile.Conclusion: Atherogenic diets did not lipid profile in male or female rats, but higher lipid profile were observed in female with atherogenic diet. Time restricted feeding has gender related effect cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol level, but no gender effect on LDL. HDL is solely dependent on gender and not affected by atherogenic diet or time restricted feeding.

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