Identification of novel vaccine candidates against cryptosporidiosis of neonatal bovines by reverse vaccinology

Publication date: Available online 12 November 2018Source: Veterinary ParasitologyAuthor(s): M.L. Tomazic, A.E. Rodriguez, J. Lombardelli, T. Poklepovich, C. Garro, R. Galarza, K. Tiranti, M. Florin-Christensen, L. SchnittgerAbstractThe apicomplexan protozoan Cryptosporidium parvum is an important causative agent of diarrhea of neonatal bovines. Vaccination has been proposed as an advantageous strategy against cryptosporidiosis of calves since besides protection against disease it has also the potential to prevent dissemination of the infective oocysts into the environment. Antigens anchored to the parasite surface via glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) are implicated in host cell attachment and invasion and represent promising vaccine candidates. A reverse vaccinology approach was employed to (i) identify the GPI-anchored proteome of C. parvum using available web-based bioinformatic tools and (ii) characterize previously unrecognized novel vaccine antigens. Altogether, 14 putative GPI-anchored proteins could be determined of which CpH1 and CpSUB2 as well as GP60 were further characterized. Sequencing and comparison of GP60, CpH1, and CpSUB1 alleles amplified from different geographic isolates showed a high degree of conservation, respectively. All three antigens were recombinant expressed and immunoblotted using sera of 12 Cryptosporidium-infected calves sampled at the age periods 1-11 and 12-28 days after birth. Specific antibody reactions against the studied antigens were ...
Source: Veterinary Parasitology - Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research