The Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein (TCTP), a Novel Antigen of <i>Babesia bovis</i>, Participates in the Establishment of Acute Infection and Contains Neutralizing B-Cell Epitopes

<i>Babesia bovis</i> is a protozoan parasite that causes babesiosis in cattle. It has been hypothesized that in apicomplexan parasites, translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) interferes with the host immune response by inhibiting B cell proliferation. The aim of this study was t...

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Main Authors: Chyntia Pérez-Almeida, Diego Josimar Hernández-Silva, Edwin Esaú Hernández-Arvizu, Masahito Asada, Shin-ichiro Kawazu, Massaro W. Ueti, José Guadalupe Gomez-Soto, Urso Martín Dávila-Montero, Carlos A. Vega y Murguía, Juan Mosqueda
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Pathogens
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/5/502
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author Chyntia Pérez-Almeida
Diego Josimar Hernández-Silva
Edwin Esaú Hernández-Arvizu
Masahito Asada
Shin-ichiro Kawazu
Massaro W. Ueti
José Guadalupe Gomez-Soto
Urso Martín Dávila-Montero
Carlos A. Vega y Murguía
Juan Mosqueda
author_facet Chyntia Pérez-Almeida
Diego Josimar Hernández-Silva
Edwin Esaú Hernández-Arvizu
Masahito Asada
Shin-ichiro Kawazu
Massaro W. Ueti
José Guadalupe Gomez-Soto
Urso Martín Dávila-Montero
Carlos A. Vega y Murguía
Juan Mosqueda
author_sort Chyntia Pérez-Almeida
collection DOAJ
description <i>Babesia bovis</i> is a protozoan parasite that causes babesiosis in cattle. It has been hypothesized that in apicomplexan parasites, translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) interferes with the host immune response by inhibiting B cell proliferation. The aim of this study was the characterization of <i>B. bovis</i> TCTP (BboTCTP) and the evaluation of its expression, immunogenicity and role in infection. The <i>tctp</i> gene was identified and sequenced from <i>B. bovis</i> isolates and revealed a high conservation. Expression was confirmed in intraerythrocytic stages by Western blot and confocal microscopy. Synthetic peptides containing predicted B cell epitopes were used to immunize cattle, followed by a challenge with a virulent <i>B. bovis</i> strain. Immunized animals showed milder clinical signs and faster recovery compared to controls. Sera from non-immunized animals exhibited lower total IgG levels after challenge (<i>p</i> < 0.05), while sera from immunized animals induced significant in vitro invasion inhibition (32–33%). These results suggest that BboTCTP is immunogenic and may play a role in modulating the host immune response. The results provide novel insights into <i>B. bovis</i> biology and support BboTCTP as a promising candidate for further evaluation as a vaccine antigen. Future studies should explore its immunomodulatory mechanisms and potential use in combined vaccine formulations.
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spelling doaj-art-bcaa775a985f4337b921243f1c0e36cf2025-08-20T02:33:51ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172025-05-0114550210.3390/pathogens14050502The Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein (TCTP), a Novel Antigen of <i>Babesia bovis</i>, Participates in the Establishment of Acute Infection and Contains Neutralizing B-Cell EpitopesChyntia Pérez-Almeida0Diego Josimar Hernández-Silva1Edwin Esaú Hernández-Arvizu2Masahito Asada3Shin-ichiro Kawazu4Massaro W. Ueti5José Guadalupe Gomez-Soto6Urso Martín Dávila-Montero7Carlos A. Vega y Murguía8Juan Mosqueda9Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Natural Sciences College, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Queretaro 76230, MexicoImmunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Natural Sciences College, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Queretaro 76230, MexicoImmunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Natural Sciences College, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Queretaro 76230, MexicoNational Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inadacho, Nishi 2-13, Obihiro 080-8555, Hokkaido, JapanNational Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inadacho, Nishi 2-13, Obihiro 080-8555, Hokkaido, JapanAnimal Diseases Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Pullman, WA 99164, USANatural Sciences College, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Queretaro 76230, MexicoNatural Sciences College, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Queretaro 76230, MexicoNatural Sciences College, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Queretaro 76230, MexicoImmunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Natural Sciences College, Autonomous University of Queretaro, Queretaro 76230, Mexico<i>Babesia bovis</i> is a protozoan parasite that causes babesiosis in cattle. It has been hypothesized that in apicomplexan parasites, translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) interferes with the host immune response by inhibiting B cell proliferation. The aim of this study was the characterization of <i>B. bovis</i> TCTP (BboTCTP) and the evaluation of its expression, immunogenicity and role in infection. The <i>tctp</i> gene was identified and sequenced from <i>B. bovis</i> isolates and revealed a high conservation. Expression was confirmed in intraerythrocytic stages by Western blot and confocal microscopy. Synthetic peptides containing predicted B cell epitopes were used to immunize cattle, followed by a challenge with a virulent <i>B. bovis</i> strain. Immunized animals showed milder clinical signs and faster recovery compared to controls. Sera from non-immunized animals exhibited lower total IgG levels after challenge (<i>p</i> < 0.05), while sera from immunized animals induced significant in vitro invasion inhibition (32–33%). These results suggest that BboTCTP is immunogenic and may play a role in modulating the host immune response. The results provide novel insights into <i>B. bovis</i> biology and support BboTCTP as a promising candidate for further evaluation as a vaccine antigen. Future studies should explore its immunomodulatory mechanisms and potential use in combined vaccine formulations.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/5/502translationally controlled tumor proteinbovine babesiosis<i>Babesia bovis</i>
spellingShingle Chyntia Pérez-Almeida
Diego Josimar Hernández-Silva
Edwin Esaú Hernández-Arvizu
Masahito Asada
Shin-ichiro Kawazu
Massaro W. Ueti
José Guadalupe Gomez-Soto
Urso Martín Dávila-Montero
Carlos A. Vega y Murguía
Juan Mosqueda
The Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein (TCTP), a Novel Antigen of <i>Babesia bovis</i>, Participates in the Establishment of Acute Infection and Contains Neutralizing B-Cell Epitopes
Pathogens
translationally controlled tumor protein
bovine babesiosis
<i>Babesia bovis</i>
title The Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein (TCTP), a Novel Antigen of <i>Babesia bovis</i>, Participates in the Establishment of Acute Infection and Contains Neutralizing B-Cell Epitopes
title_full The Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein (TCTP), a Novel Antigen of <i>Babesia bovis</i>, Participates in the Establishment of Acute Infection and Contains Neutralizing B-Cell Epitopes
title_fullStr The Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein (TCTP), a Novel Antigen of <i>Babesia bovis</i>, Participates in the Establishment of Acute Infection and Contains Neutralizing B-Cell Epitopes
title_full_unstemmed The Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein (TCTP), a Novel Antigen of <i>Babesia bovis</i>, Participates in the Establishment of Acute Infection and Contains Neutralizing B-Cell Epitopes
title_short The Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein (TCTP), a Novel Antigen of <i>Babesia bovis</i>, Participates in the Establishment of Acute Infection and Contains Neutralizing B-Cell Epitopes
title_sort translationally controlled tumor protein tctp a novel antigen of i babesia bovis i participates in the establishment of acute infection and contains neutralizing b cell epitopes
topic translationally controlled tumor protein
bovine babesiosis
<i>Babesia bovis</i>
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/5/502
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