Immunoproteomic Identification of Immunogenic Cytoskeleton Proteins of Toxoplasma gondii

In the present study, we analyzed the profile of immunerecognized proteins of the cytoskeleton of T. gondii by 2D PAGE-SDS and sera from patients with acute and chronic toxoplasmosis. The immune-recognized spots were analyzed by mass spectrometry and characterized by bioinformatic approaches. A total of 324 proteins were identified by mass spectrometry, of which sixty-five antigenic proteins were recognized in spots by IgM antibodies and 259 antigenic proteins were recognized by IgG antibodies. About 19 proteins specifically reported as cytoskeletal proteins were identified, as well as numerous hypothetical, secretory proteins with various subcellular functions and distributions. Bioinformatics analyses of the identified antigenic proteins of T. gondii were carried out to determine the most immunogenic as well as the number of epitopes that could be recognized by receptors of B lymphocytes, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+), and helper T lymphocytes (CD4+), and activate immunoprotection against this pathogen in the quest for a future vaccine against Toxoplasma. This type of experimental approaches will allow us to identify candidate molecules in the design of future vaccines against toxoplasmosis.