Characterization of the Antigenic and Immunogenic Properties of the Gametocyte Antigen 56 from <i>Eimeria necatrix</i>
Coccidiosis, caused by <i>Eimeria</i> spp., significantly reduces poultry productivity and causes major economic losses. Traditional control methods are limited by drug resistance and high production costs. Recent genomic and bioinformatic advances have enabled the identification of nove...
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2025-06-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| author | Feiyan Wang Liqin Cao Lele Wang Jinjun Xu Jianping Tao Dandan Liu |
| author_facet | Feiyan Wang Liqin Cao Lele Wang Jinjun Xu Jianping Tao Dandan Liu |
| author_sort | Feiyan Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Coccidiosis, caused by <i>Eimeria</i> spp., significantly reduces poultry productivity and causes major economic losses. Traditional control methods are limited by drug resistance and high production costs. Recent genomic and bioinformatic advances have enabled the identification of novel antigens, making recombinant subunit vaccines a promising next-generation strategy by eliciting robust cellular and humoral immune responses. This study investigates the <i>E. necatrix</i> gametocyte protein 56 (EnGAM56) as a potential candidate for recombinant subunit vaccines. The full-length <i>E. necatrix</i> gametocyte <i>gam56</i> gene (En<i>gam56</i>-F) was amplified, expressed in vitro, and characterized via SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Immunofluorescence assays revealed that EnGAM56-F is specifically localized in gametocytes and unsporulated oocysts. Chickens immunized with recombinant proteins (rEnGAM56-F and rEnGAM56-T) were evaluated for immunoprotection against <i>E. necatrix</i> infection through lesion scores, weight gain, oocyst production, anticoccidial index (ACI), and antibody and cytokine levels. The synergistic effects were evaluated by employing various combinations of recombinant proteins, including rEtGAM22, rEtGAM56-T, and rEtGAM59. Results showed that EnGAM56-F encodes a 468-amino acid protein with distinct tyrosine-serine-rich and proline-methionine-rich regions. rEnGAM56-F was specifically recognized by both anti-6 × His tag antibodies and convalescent serum from chickens infected with <i>E. necatrix</i>. Both rEnGAM56-F and rEnGAM56-T provided immune protection, with rEnGAM56-T showing superior efficacy. The combination of rEnGAM (22 + 59 + 56-T) yielded the strongest immune response, followed by rEnGAM (22 + 56-T). These findings highlight the potential of EnGAM56 as a candidate for recombinant subunit anticoccidial vaccines. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-76d60cbd17f54063af2d63b2cf8278c7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj-art-76d60cbd17f54063af2d63b2cf8278c72025-08-20T03:30:29ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-06-011512175010.3390/ani15121750Characterization of the Antigenic and Immunogenic Properties of the Gametocyte Antigen 56 from <i>Eimeria necatrix</i>Feiyan Wang0Liqin Cao1Lele Wang2Jinjun Xu3Jianping Tao4Dandan Liu5College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaJiu Long Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Station, Taizhou 225300, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaCoccidiosis, caused by <i>Eimeria</i> spp., significantly reduces poultry productivity and causes major economic losses. Traditional control methods are limited by drug resistance and high production costs. Recent genomic and bioinformatic advances have enabled the identification of novel antigens, making recombinant subunit vaccines a promising next-generation strategy by eliciting robust cellular and humoral immune responses. This study investigates the <i>E. necatrix</i> gametocyte protein 56 (EnGAM56) as a potential candidate for recombinant subunit vaccines. The full-length <i>E. necatrix</i> gametocyte <i>gam56</i> gene (En<i>gam56</i>-F) was amplified, expressed in vitro, and characterized via SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Immunofluorescence assays revealed that EnGAM56-F is specifically localized in gametocytes and unsporulated oocysts. Chickens immunized with recombinant proteins (rEnGAM56-F and rEnGAM56-T) were evaluated for immunoprotection against <i>E. necatrix</i> infection through lesion scores, weight gain, oocyst production, anticoccidial index (ACI), and antibody and cytokine levels. The synergistic effects were evaluated by employing various combinations of recombinant proteins, including rEtGAM22, rEtGAM56-T, and rEtGAM59. Results showed that EnGAM56-F encodes a 468-amino acid protein with distinct tyrosine-serine-rich and proline-methionine-rich regions. rEnGAM56-F was specifically recognized by both anti-6 × His tag antibodies and convalescent serum from chickens infected with <i>E. necatrix</i>. Both rEnGAM56-F and rEnGAM56-T provided immune protection, with rEnGAM56-T showing superior efficacy. The combination of rEnGAM (22 + 59 + 56-T) yielded the strongest immune response, followed by rEnGAM (22 + 56-T). These findings highlight the potential of EnGAM56 as a candidate for recombinant subunit anticoccidial vaccines.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/12/1750<i>Eimeria necatrix</i>gametocyte antigensrecombinant subunit vaccineImmunoprotection |
| spellingShingle | Feiyan Wang Liqin Cao Lele Wang Jinjun Xu Jianping Tao Dandan Liu Characterization of the Antigenic and Immunogenic Properties of the Gametocyte Antigen 56 from <i>Eimeria necatrix</i> Animals <i>Eimeria necatrix</i> gametocyte antigens recombinant subunit vaccine Immunoprotection |
| title | Characterization of the Antigenic and Immunogenic Properties of the Gametocyte Antigen 56 from <i>Eimeria necatrix</i> |
| title_full | Characterization of the Antigenic and Immunogenic Properties of the Gametocyte Antigen 56 from <i>Eimeria necatrix</i> |
| title_fullStr | Characterization of the Antigenic and Immunogenic Properties of the Gametocyte Antigen 56 from <i>Eimeria necatrix</i> |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characterization of the Antigenic and Immunogenic Properties of the Gametocyte Antigen 56 from <i>Eimeria necatrix</i> |
| title_short | Characterization of the Antigenic and Immunogenic Properties of the Gametocyte Antigen 56 from <i>Eimeria necatrix</i> |
| title_sort | characterization of the antigenic and immunogenic properties of the gametocyte antigen 56 from i eimeria necatrix i |
| topic | <i>Eimeria necatrix</i> gametocyte antigens recombinant subunit vaccine Immunoprotection |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/12/1750 |
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