The apicomplexan Toxoplasma gondii (Nicolle et Manceaux, 1908) secretes a group of serine/threonine kinases from rhoptries, which play vital roles in boosting intracellular infection. rhoptry organelle protein 17 (ROP17) is one these important kinase proteins. Nevertheless, its function remains unclear. Here, we showed that ROP17 induced autophagy vitro and vivo. small intestine tissues T. tach...

Paralogs of the widely prevalent phosphoglucomutase (PGM) protein called parafusin function in calcium (Ca2+)-mediated exocytosis across eukaryotes. In Toxoplasma gondii, the parafusin-related protein 1 (PRP1) has been associated with Ca2+-dependent microneme organelle secretion required for essential processes like host cell invasion and egress. Using reverse genetics, we observed PRP1 to be d...

Protection against a challenge infection with Toxoplasma gondii VEG strain oocysts was examined in pigs after vaccination with T. gondii RH strain tachyzoites with or without a porcine specific synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) containing immunostimulatory CpG motifs. Six groups of pigs were immunized with incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) and either vehicle, tachyzoites alone or in combin...

Host resistance to the intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is highly dependent on early IL-12 production by APC. We demonstrate here that both host resistance and T. gondii-induced IL-12 production are dramatically reduced in mice lacking the adaptor molecule MyD88, an important signaling element used by Toll-like receptor (TLR) family members. Infection of MyD88-deficient mice with T. go...

Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide distributed parasite causing abortions and fetal malformations in small ruminants. The aim of this study was to design validate new immunoassay based on the use TgSAG1-GRA8 chimeric antigen for detection anti-T. antibodies serum goats. First, time-resolved fluorescence (TgSAG1-GRA8-TRFIA) developed. In addition, diagnostic performance TgSAG1-GRA8-TRFIA compared ...

Parasite differentiation is commonly associated with transitions between complex life cycle stages and with long-term persistence in the host, and it is therefore critical for pathogenesis. In the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, interconversion between rapidly growing tachyzoites and latent encysted bradyzoites is accompanied by numerous morphological and metabolic adaptations. In order t...

All hosts, including humans, can be infected by any one of the three forms of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii that correspond to three morphological stages: tachyzoite, bradyzoite, and sporozoite form. Felids are definitive hosts for T. gondii, which is an intracellular pathogen that infects a wide range of warm-blooded intermediate hosts. Toxoplasmosis is a disease where the interest of the div...

Retinal infection is the most common clinical manifestation of toxoplasmosis. The route by which circulating Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites cross the vascular endothelium to enter the human retina is unknown. Convincing studies using murine encephalitis models have strongly implicated leukocyte taxis as one pathway used by the parasite to access target organs. To establish whether tachyzoites mi...

The immunomodulatory role of neutrophils during infection with Toxoplasma gondii was investigated. Monoclonal antibody-mediated depletion revealed that neutrophils are essential for survival during the first few days of infection. Moreover, neutrophil depletion was associated with a weaker type 1 immune response as measured by decreased levels of gamma interferon, interleukin-12 (IL-12) and tum...