布氏杆菌PBP39/pCDNATE重组表达质粒的构建及免疫效果的研究

目的构建pBp39/pCDNATE重组表达质粒,免疫BALB/c小鼠观察诱导的特异性体液免疫、细胞免疫及免疫保护效果.方法克隆PBP39基因,构建PBP39/pCDNATE重组表达质粒.首先转染Cos-7细胞,免疫组化检测其PBP39蛋白抗原的表达.然后用PBP39基因疫苗肌肉注射免疫BALB/c小鼠4次,观察特异性体液免疫和细胞免疫效果.进一步用1.25×104布氏杆菌544A强毒株腹腔攻毒,观察PBP39重组表达质粒的免疫保护效果.结果扩增的PBP39保护性抗原基因片段在牛、羊和猪布氏杆菌株中具有高度保守性,构建的PBP39/pCDNATE重组表达质粒在Cos-7细胞中有目的蛋白的表达.制备的PBP39重组表达质粒肌肉免疫BALB/c小鼠4次,ELISA检测PBP39重组表达质粒产生了较高水平的特异性IgG抗体,并随免疫次数增加抗体的滴度也递增,抗体亚型以IgG2a为主,表明诱导了TH1型的免疫应答.MTT测定PBP39重组表达质粒的淋巴细胞增殖能力与对照组差异有统计学意义.布氏杆菌A544强毒株攻毒后,动物存活及脾组织细菌数与对照组比较差异有统计学意义,说明PBP39重组表达质粒能够产生有效的保护效果.结论研制的PBP39重组表达质粒免疫BALB/c小鼠能产生高水平的特异性抗体和细胞免疫,且以细胞免疫为主,并产生有效的免疫保护效果,为布氏杆菌病新型疫苗的研究奠定了基础.     

弓形虫多表位DNA疫苗的构建及其免疫保护作用

目的:构建弓形虫多表位DNA疫苗并研究其免疫保护效果.方法:将编码含弓形虫多个T、B细胞表位的6段弓形虫多肽基因,以5个甘氨酸编码基因相间隔相连接,克隆入真核表达质粒pcDNA3.1( )中,构建成多表位弓形虫DNA疫苗.免疫BALB/c小鼠,测定其诱导的特异性抗体水平及T淋巴细胞增殖状况,同时进行弓形虫攻击感染保护实验.结果:成功构建了包含多个弓形虫表位的真核表达质粒pcDNA3.1/T-ME,以其作为DNA疫苗免疫小鼠,可诱导机体产生弓形虫特异性的体液及细胞免疫应答,产生有效的抗弓形虫保护性免疫应答.结论:构建的弓形虫多表位DNA疫苗能诱导机体产生有效的保护性免疫应答,在控制弓形虫感染上具有可行性.     

T细胞免疫BALB/c小鼠诱导调节性体液免疫应答的研究

目的 :研究T细胞免疫后正常小鼠的调节性体液免疫应答。方法 :用经γ射线照射的体外扩增的活化OVA特异T细胞克隆免疫BALB c小鼠 ,FACS法分析血清中抗T细胞抗体水平 ,免疫共沉淀法分析靶抗原。结果 :T细胞免疫能诱导BALB c小鼠产生抑制T细胞增殖的抗T细胞抗体 ,这种抗体不是多克隆活化的结果 ,其靶抗原可能是T细胞上 93、87、5 5和 4 5kD的蛋白。结论 :T细胞免疫能诱导正常小鼠产生调节性体液免疫应答     

脑膜炎奈瑟菌外膜蛋白NMB0315作为B群流脑疫苗候选抗原的免疫效果

目的研究原核重组表达的B群脑膜炎奈瑟菌外膜蛋白0315(rNMB0315)在诱导小鼠产生特异性免疫应答中的作用、免疫血清抗体体外杀菌活性和重组蛋白的免疫保护效果,初步评价rNMB0315作为B群流脑疫苗候选抗原的潜力。方法将构建的原核表达载体p ET30a-NMB0315转化大肠杆菌BL21表达重组蛋白,纯化鉴定后的重组蛋白免疫雌性BALB/c小鼠,检测体液免疫和细胞免疫水平;测定血清抗体在补体介导下的体外杀菌活性,观察rNMB0315蛋白疫苗对实验小鼠的免疫保护效果。结果 rNMB0315具有良好的免疫原性,能诱导产生较高水平的体液免疫应答:包括血清特异性IgG、IgG1、IgG2a、IgG3、IgG2b和生殖道黏膜特异性分泌型IgA(s IgA),免疫后第6周抗体效价分别为1∶150 000、1∶85 000、1∶60 000、1∶35 000、1∶30 000和1∶30 000;也能激发较高水平的细胞免疫应答,免疫小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖反应的刺激指数(SI)值明显高于PBS、Freund佐剂对照组。在免疫的2、4、6周,血清IgG2a/IgG1比值均小于1,提示rNMB0315疫苗以诱导Th2细胞性体液免疫应答为主。rNMB0315疫苗免疫血清在补体介导下的体外杀菌抗体效价为1∶128;72 h内,对实验小鼠的免疫保护率为90%。结论原核表达的rNMB0315具有良好的免疫活性和免疫保护效果,NMB0315外膜蛋白具有作为预防B群流脑蛋白疫苗候选抗原的潜力。     

空肠弯曲菌PEB1-LTB DNA疫苗构建及其对小鼠免疫保护性的研究

目的:研究粘膜佐剂大肠埃希菌不耐热肠毒素B亚单位(LTB)辅助的空肠弯曲菌(C.jejuni)外膜蛋白PEB1基因重组DNA疫苗诱导小鼠免疫应答水平。方法:构建pcDNA3.1(-)-PEB1-LTB真核重组表达载体,转染Hela细胞,Westernblot鉴定蛋白表达。滴鼻免疫BALB/c小鼠,末次免疫后2周,测定小鼠血清中IgG、IgA及气管、小肠粘膜冲洗液sIgA抗体;脾细胞培养上清中IFN-γ、IL-4水平。末次免疫后4周,采用空肠弯曲菌重复攻击的方式进行灌胃攻击,攻击后,根据动物疾病指数评价疫苗临床保护率。结果:构建的重组表达质粒能在Hela细胞内表达,重组蛋白。疫苗免疫小鼠后,不仅诱导了高水平血清IgG、IgA抗体,而且诱导了高水平粘膜sIgA抗体。其诱导的特异性免疫应答能有效保护免疫后小鼠免遭空肠弯曲菌的感染攻击。结论:构建的DNA疫苗经粘膜免疫能诱导小鼠产生较高水平的特异性免疫应答,能有效预防空肠弯曲菌感染。     

脂质体介导弓形虫SAG1与SAG3复合基因诱导小鼠免疫应答研究

目的评价弓形虫SAG1与SAG3基因真核表达质粒DNA免疫小鼠的免疫应答效果。方法以PCR方法扩增出SAG1与SAG3目的基因片段,并插入载体pEGFP-N3以构建重组质粒pE- SAG1／SAG3,瞬时转染细胞Cos-7。质粒pESAG1／SAG3以10μg剂量,脂质体介导肌肉注射BALB／c小鼠,免疫3次,最后一次免疫后4周,观察体液和细胞免疫。RT-PCR方法检测注射部位目的基因的转录;斑点杂交方法检测目的基因是否与小鼠染色体基因组整合。结果质粒pESAG1／SAG3转染细胞后观察到绿色荧光;Western blot显示pESAG1/SAG3表达识别条带在相对分子质量(Mr)66．2×103附近。小鼠免疫后,血清产生抗弓形虫速殖子抗体,诱导IFN-γ及IL-2水平高于对照组。RT-PCR显示首次免疫15 d后,目的基因在肌肉组织中仍有转录,斑点杂交显示目的基因未与小鼠的基因组发生整合,混合质粒注射的小鼠抗弓形虫感染的存活时间延长。结论脂质体介导弓形虫SAG1与SAG3复合编码基因质粒接种小鼠能明显诱导体液和细胞免疫应答。     

基于枯草芽孢杆菌系统制备的EV71VP1重组抗原诱导小鼠免疫应答的研究

目的观察基于枯草芽孢杆菌系统制备的EV7lVPl重组抗原诱导BALB／c小鼠产生的免疫应答反应。方法通过建立BALB／c小鼠动物模型,分别将前期构建的基于枯草芽孢杆菌系统制备的EV71重组抗原（rVPl）、灭活EV71病毒免疫组（EV71）和空白对照组（PBS）,经鼻腔接种6～8周龄BALB／c小鼠,ELISA方法检测免疫后不同时间产生的特异性IgG、IgA以及IgGl和IgG2a水平。结果EV71重组抗原可以有效诱导小鼠产生高水平的体液免疫和明显的黏膜免疫应答,且能够诱发均衡的Th1、Th2免疫调节。结论肠道病毒71型重组VPl抗原可诱发小鼠产生明显的特异性体液免疫和黏膜免疫应答。     

犬腺病毒DNA疫苗的免疫实验研究

目的研究犬腺病毒DNA疫苗pVAX1-CpG-Loop刺激机体产生免疫应答的效果。方法采用2种不同的免疫途径和免疫方案免疫Balb/c小鼠;免疫后每周断尾采血,分离血清测定血清IgG抗体效价;采用MTT和CCK-8方法检测免疫小鼠的T淋巴细胞增殖活性,EIA试剂盒测定IFN-γ的浓度。结果所有接种DNA疫苗的小鼠均产生了针对抗原病毒的特异性IgG抗体。细胞学试验提示构建的犬腺病毒DNA疫苗也可诱导小鼠产生细胞性免疫应答,重组质粒-蛋白联合的免疫方案在刺激机体细胞免疫应答方面优于单一重组质粒。结论以上结果提示犬腺病毒DNA疫苗pVAX1-CpG-Loop既能诱导小鼠产生特异性的体液免疫应答,也诱导小鼠产生了细胞免疫应答,对于机体具有一定的免疫保护效果。     

嗜肺军团菌免疫原蛋白核酸疫苗诱导的小鼠免疫应答及其保护力

目的:研究嗜肺军团菌免疫原蛋白核酸疫苗诱导的小鼠免疫原性以及对LP感染小鼠的保护能力。方法:用嗜肺军团菌免疫原蛋白基因真核表达重组质粒pcDNA3.1-ip作为DNA疫苗免疫BALB/c小鼠,检测免疫小鼠体内抗原特异性抗体水平、脾淋巴细胞增殖活性、IFNγ-产生水平和CTL特异杀伤活性等指标,以评价疫苗的免疫原性。真核表达重组质粒pcDNA3.1-ipDNA疫苗重复免疫BALB/c小鼠2次,末次免疫2周后,用10倍LD50剂量攻击小鼠,计数小鼠的存活数及小鼠肺中的细菌数,观察感染鼠的肺部病理变化。结果:pcDNA3.1-ip免疫小鼠后诱导产生了特异的体液免疫应答和细胞免疫应答,免疫组的免疫原性和免疫保护性均高于对照组pcDNA3.1( )组(P<0.01)。结论:免疫原蛋白基因可作为嗜肺军团菌核酸疫苗的侯选基因。     

丙型肝炎病毒重组蛋白抗原联合免疫的免疫原性和保护性研究

目的 研究两个丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)多表位重组抗原联合免疫后诱导的细胞免疫和体液免疫应答,以及对小鼠的保护作用.方法 用两个多表位抗原HCV-T和HCV-E1联合免疫BALB/c小鼠3次,ELISA检测血清中抗体IgG、IgG1和IgG2a滴度;最后一次免疫后10 d杀死一半小鼠,取脾细胞,用乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)释放法检测细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL)活性;ELISPOT法检测分泌IFN-γ和IL4的细胞;最后一次免疫后2周,在免疫小鼠的背部皮下注射106个SP2/0-NS3细胞,考察联合免疫对小鼠的保护作用;另取BALB/c小鼠,先在背部皮下注射106个SP2/0-NS3细胞,7 d后开始联合免疫,免疫3次,考察免疫治疗作用.结果 用HCV-T+HCV-E1联合免疫诱导了高滴度的HCV-E1特异性的IgG、IgG1和IgG2a抗体以及高水平的CTL活性;与单独免疫相比,联合免疫产生的分泌IFN-γ和IL-4的细胞数量有协同作用;而且联合免疫能有效预防和治疗SP2/0-NS3对小鼠的攻击.结论 HCV-T+HCV-E1联合免疫诱导了保护性的体液免疫和细胞免疫应答,有望进一步开发为一种有效的重组HCV疫苗.     

Comparative evaluation of immunization with recombinant protein and plasmid DNA vaccines of fusion antigen ROP2 and SAG1 from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Toxoplasma gondii</Emphasis> in mice: cellular and humoral immune responses

The aim of this work was to evaluate immune responses in BALB/c mice vaccinated subcutaneously by recombinant protein, or intramuscularly by plasmid DNA with fusion antigen of rhoptry protein 2 (ROP2) and major surface protein 1 (SAG1) from Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). BALB/c mice were immunized with one of three different antigen formulations respectively, which were rROP2-SAG1, pcROP2-SAG1, and pcROP2-SAG1 boosted with rROP2-SAG1. The production of IgG, IgG subclasses, lymphoproliferation, and level of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) were detected after vaccination. The animals vaccinated with rROP2-SAG1 quickly developed specific anti-TLA (T. gondii lysate antigen) antibodies, which continued to rise after immunization. However, production of IgG against TLA in mice vaccinated with pcROP2-SAG1 was relatively slow and maintained a high level after reaching plateau. There are more vigorous specific lymphoproliferative responses observed in mice of group rROP2-SAG1 than in pcROP2-SAG1. Immune responses in mice of group pcROP2-SAG1 boosted with rROP2-SAG1 were similar to the protein immunization group. Three immunization procedures resulted in a similar level of IFN-γ production. Our results indicate that BALB/c mice vaccinated by three immunization procedures induce similar humoral and cellular immunity against infection of T. gondii. Mice immunized with recombinant protein rROP2-SAG1 produce more humoral immune responses than mice immunized with other antigen formulations.     

Protective immunity induced by Toxoplasma gondii rhoptry protein 16 against toxoplasmosis in mice

Toxoplasma gondii can infect a large variety of domestic and wild animals and human beings, sometimes causing severe pathology. Rhoptries are involved in T. gondii invasion and host cell interaction and have been implicated as important virulence factors. In this study, we constructed a DNA vaccine expressing rhoptry protein 16 (ROP16) of T. gondii and evaluated the immune responses it induced in Kunming mice. The gene sequence encoding ROP16 was inserted into the eukaryotic expression vector pVAX I. We immunized Kunming mice intramuscularly. After immunization, we evaluated the immune response using a lymphoproliferative assay, cytokine and antibody measurements, and the survival times of mice challenged lethally. The results showed that mice immunized with pVAX-ROP16 developed a high level of specific antibody responses against T. gondii ROP16 expressed in Escherichia coli, a strong lymphoproliferative response, and significant levels of gamma interferon (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, and IL-10 production compared with results for other mice immunized with either empty plasmid or phosphate-buffered saline, respectively. The results showed that pVAX-ROP16 induces significant humoral and cellular Th1 immune responses. After lethal challenge, the mice immunized with pVAX-ROP16 showed a significantly (P < 0.05) prolonged survival time (21.6 ± 9.9 days) compared with control mice, which died within 7 days of challenge. Our data demonstrate, for the first time, that ROP16 triggers a strong humoral and cellular response against T. gondii and that ROP16 is a promising vaccine candidate against toxoplasmosis, worth further development.     

弓形虫分泌蛋白ROP2的原核重组表达与免疫反应性鉴定

本研究在大肠杆菌工程菌中重组表达弓形虫棒状体蛋白2（ROP2）,并初步评价其免疫反应性。主要步骤为体外细胞培养速殖子,提取总RNA,反转录获得cDNA,PCR扩增ROP2基因全长,与pET-41 Ek／LIC载体通过基因重组直接连接,在大肠杆菌Rosetta^TM（DE3）pLysS工程菌中诱导表达重组融合蛋白GST-6×His—ROP2,最后以重组蛋白与人源弓形虫抗血清的Western blotting反应评价rROP2免疫反应性。本研究获得了ROP2全长重组蛋白,初步证明其良好的免疫反应性,为进一步改进弓形虫免疫学诊断方法,研究分泌蛋白与宿主细胞的相互作用奠定了基础。     

弓形虫ROP2基因的克隆及在大肠杆菌中的表达

目的 :构建弓形虫棒状体蛋白 (ROP2 )基因重组质粒并在大肠杆菌中表达 ,用于筛选弓形虫新的诊断抗原和疫苗分子。方法 :根据ROP2基因已知序列 ,设计合成一对引物 ,用PCR方法从弓形虫RH株基因组DNA中扩增出ROP2基因片段 ,再克隆到pGEX 4T 1质粒 ,重组质粒经酶切及PCR鉴定 ,而后进行测序 ;重组质粒在大肠杆菌BL2 1 (DE3)中进行ITPG诱导表达 ,表达产物经SDS PAGE及WesternBlot分析。结果 :ROP2基因PCR产物大小与预期相符 ,约 1 0 4 3bp ,重组质粒经酶切及PCR鉴定表明获得正确重组子 ,测序结果与已知序列基本吻合 ;SDS PAGE及免疫印迹显示ROP2融合蛋白表观分子量约为 5 5kDa ,表达产物约占菌体总蛋白1 7% ,具有一定的免疫反应性。结论 :克隆并表达了弓形虫ROP2基因 ,为下一步弓形虫诊断及疫苗研究奠定了基础     

Humoral responses and immune protection in mice immunized with irradiated T. gondii tachyzoites and challenged with three genetically distinct strains of T. gondii

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects a variety of mammals and birds. T. gondii also causes human toxoplasmosis; although toxoplasmosis is generally a benign disease, ocular, congenital or reactivated disease is associated with high numbers of disabled people. Infection occurs orally through the ingestion of meat containing cysts or by the intake of food or water contaminated with oocysts. Although the immune system responds to acute infection and mediates the clearance of tachyzoites, parasite cysts persist for the lifetime of the host in tissues such as the eye, muscle, and CNS. However, T. gondii RH strain tachyzoites irradiated with 255Gy do not cause residual infection and induce the same immunity as a natural infection. To assess the humoral response in BALB/c and C57BL/6J mice immunized with irradiated tachyzoites either by oral gavage (p.o.) or intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection, we analyzed total and high-affinity IgG and IgA antibodies in the serum. High levels of antigen-specific IgG were detected in the serum of parenterally immunized mice, with lower levels in mice immunized via the oral route. However, most serum antibodies exhibited low affinity for antigen in both mice strain. We also found antigen specific IgA antibodies in the stools of the mice, especially in orally immunized BALB/c mice. Examination of bone marrow and spleen cells demonstrated that both groups of immunized mice clearly produced specific IgG, at levels comparable to chronic infection, suggesting the generation of IgG specific memory. Next, we challenged i.p. or p.o. immunized mice with cysts from ME49, VEG or P strains of T. gondii. Oral immunization resulted in partial protection as compared to challenged naive mice; these findings were more evident in highly pathogenic ME49 strain challenge. Additionally, we found that while mucosal IgA was important for protection against infection, antigen-specific IgG antibodies were involved with protection against disease and disease pathogenesis. Most antigen responsive cells in culture produced specific high-affinity IgG after immunization, diverse of the findings in serum IgG or from cells after infection, which produced low proportion of high-avidity IgG.     

弓形虫依钙蛋白激酶Calpain—like基因的克隆及表达

目的克隆弓形虫RH株Calpain—like基因片段，构建原核表达载体，诱导表达Calpain-like基因重组蛋白。方法收集、纯化弓形虫RH株速殖子，提取总RNA，在设计合成的引物中引入SalI和EcoRI酶切位点。应用FIT—PCR扩增弓形虫RH株Calpain—like基因片段，插入pGEM—T载体，提取重组质粒，双酶切获得目的基因，亚克隆到原核表达质粒pET32a，重组子经双酶切、PCR和DNA序列分析鉴定，转化大肠杆菌BL21并以IPTG诱导表达。结果从弓形虫RH株速殖子eDNA中扩增出316bp的Calpain-like基因片段；含pET32a／Calpain—like的重组质粒在宿主菌经诱导后，获得与预期分子量相符的表达产物。结论成功地克隆和表达弓形虫RH株Calpain—like基因，弓形虫Calpain—like基因的克隆表达为进一步筛选弓形虫疫苗候选分子和治疗药物的靶位提供了研究基础。     

Recombinant GRA4 or ROP2 protein combined with alum or the gra4 gene provides partial protection in chronic murine models of toxoplasmosis

The efficacy of vaccination with Toxoplasma gondii recombinant GRA4 (rGRA4) and ROP2 (rRPO2) proteins and a mix of both combined with alum were evaluated in C57BL/6 and C3H mice. In C57BL/6 mice, rGRA4 and rGRA4-rROP2 immunizations generated similar levels of immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgG2a isotypes against GRA4, whereas immunizations with rROP2 and the mix induced a predominant IgG1 production against ROP2. All groups of C3H vaccinated mice exhibited higher levels of IgG1 than IgG2a. rGRA4-stimulated splenocytes from vaccinated mice produced primarily gamma interferon while those stimulated with rROP2 produced interleukin-4. Challenge of rGRA4- or rGRA4-rROP2-vaccinated mice from both strains with ME49 cysts resulted in fewer brain cysts than the controls, whereas vaccination with rROP2 alone only conferred protection to C3H mice. Immunization with a plasmid carrying the entire open reading frame of GRA4 showed a protective level similar to that of rGRA4 combined with alum. These results suggest that GRA4 can be a good candidate for a multiantigen anti-T. gondii vaccine based on the use of alum as an adjuvant.     

Protective Efficacy of a Toxoplasma gondii Rhoptry Protein 13 Plasmid DNA Vaccine in Mice

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite infecting humans and other warm-blooded animals, resulting in serious public health problems and economic losses worldwide. Rhoptries are involved in T. gondii invasion and host cell interaction and have been implicated as important virulence factors. In the present study, a DNA vaccine expressing rhoptry protein 13 (ROP13) of T. gondii inserted into eukaryotic expression vector pVAX I was constructed, and the immune protection it induced in Kunming mice was evaluated. Kunming mice were immunized intramuscularly with pVAX-ROP13 and/or with interleukin-18 (IL-18). Then, we evaluated the immune response using a lymphoproliferative assay, cytokine and antibody measurements, and the survival times of mice challenged with the virulent T. gondii RH strain (type I) and the cyst-forming PRU strain (type II). The results showed that pVAX-ROP13 alone or with pVAX/IL-18 induced a high level of specific anti-T. gondii antibodies and specific lymphocyte proliferative responses. Coinjection of pVAX/IL-18 significantly increased the production of gamma interferon (IFN-γ), IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10. Further, challenge experiments showed that coimmunization of pVAX-ROP13 with pVAX/IL-18 significantly (P < 0.05) increased survival time (32.3 ± 2.7 days) compared with pVAX-ROP13 alone (24.9 ± 2.3 days). Immunized mice challenged with T. gondii cysts (strain PRU) had a significant reduction in the number of brain cysts, suggesting that ROP13 could trigger a strong humoral and cellular response against T. gondii cyst infection and that it is a potential vaccine candidate against toxoplasmosis, which provided the foundation for further development of effective vaccines against T. gondii.     

Toxoplasma gondii microneme protein 8 (MIC8) is a potential vaccine candidate against toxoplasmosis

Microneme protein 8 (MIC8) is considered a new essential invasion factor in Toxoplasma gondii. In the present study, a deoxyribonucleic acid vaccine expressing MIC8 of T. gondii was constructed and the immune response it induced in Kunming mice was evaluated. The gene sequence encoding MIC8 was inserted into the eukaryotic expression vector pVAX I, and the pVAX-MIC8 expression plasmid was constructed, and the plasmid diluted with PBS to l00 mg/100?µl was injected into the Kunming mice muscularly. Levels of IgG antibody, gamma-interferon (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4, and interleukin-10 were detected. The mice were challenged with tachyzoites of the virulent T. gondii RH strain at the 14th day after the last immunization to observe the survival time. The high level of IFN-γ, IL-2, and IgG antibody indicated that mice vaccinated with recombinant pVAX-MIC8 plasmid could elicit strong cellular and humoral immune responses and showed a significantly increased survival time (10.3?±?0.9 days) compared with control mice which died within 5 days of challenge infection. These data demonstrate that the T. gondii MIC8 is a potential vaccine candidate against toxoplasmosis.