Molecularand immunological characterization of Babesia gibsoni and Babesia microti heat shockprotein-70
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Date
2009Author
Terkawi, M A
Jia, H J
Goo, Y-K
Ooka, H
Yamagishi, J
Nishikawa, Y.
Igarashi, I
Fujisaki, K
Xuan, X
Type
ArticleLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Serological immunoscreening was used to identify a gene
encoding heat shock protein-70 from Babesia gibsoni
(BgHSP-70) that showed high homology with HSP-70s
from other apicomplexan parasites. This gene corresponded
to a full-length cDNA containing an open reading frame of
1968 bp predicted to result in a 70-kDa mature protein consisting
of 656 amino acids. Analysis of the expression levels
of BgHSP-70 indicated elevated transcription from cultured
parasites incubated at 40C for 1 h, but not at 30C. Interestingly,
antiserum raised against recombinant BgHSP-70
protein reacted specifically not only with a 70-kDa protein
of B. gibsoni but also with a corresponding native protein of
B. microti (BmHSP-70), indicating the high degree of conservation
of this protein. The BmHSP-70 gene was then isolated
and characterized and the immunoprotective properties
of recombinant BgHSP-70 (rBgHSP-70) and rBmHSP-70
were compared in vitro and in vivo. Both proteins had potent
mitogenic effects on murine and canine mononuclear cells as
evidenced by high proliferative responses and IFN-c production
after stimulation. Immunization regimes in BALB⁄c
and C57BL⁄6 mice using rBgHSP-70 and rBmHSP-70 elicited
high antibody levels, with concurrent significant reductions
in peripheral parasitaemias. Taken together, these
results emphasize the potential of HSP-70s as a molecular
adjuvant vaccine.
Citation
Parasite Immunology, 2009,31, 328–340Publisher
Department of Public Health Pharmacology and Toxicology