Levels of Transforming Growth Factor-Beta After Immunization of Mice With in vivo prepared Toxoplasma gondii Excretory/Secretory Proteins

BACKGROUND Zoonotic parasite Toxoplasma gondii has a high prevalence in human populations. A suitable vaccine for animals can stop the transmission of infection between animal and human. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate in vivo prepared excretory/secretory antigens (E/SA) as a potential candidate for immunization against the parasite and its effect on the production of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). MATERIALS AND METHODS Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites were inoculated in the peritoneal cavity of mice and E/SA was harvested and used in animal immunization with and without adjuvant. Serum levels of anti-E/SA antibodies and TGF-β were measured in days 0, 3, 7, 14, 28 and 56 after immunization using ELISA technique. The measurements were statistically analyzed. RESULTS Our results showed that the serum levels of anti-E/SA immunoglobulins significantly increased in all of the immunized groups. The differences of the serum levels of TGF-β between the groups were statistically significant at days 28 and 56 after immunization with E/SA. CONCLUSIONS Based on our study, in vivo prepared E/SA may be considered as a good candidate for animal immunization.