| tSeveral approaches have been used to improve the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines. In the currentstudy, we constructed the plasmid encoding T. gondii dense granule 14 (GRA14) and investigated theimmunological properties of calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CaPNs) as nano-adjuvant to enhance theprotective efficacy of pcGRA14. BALB/c mice intramuscularly injected three times at two-week intervalsand the immune responses were evaluated using lymphocyte proliferation assay, cytokine and antibodymeasurements, survival times, and parasite load of mice challenged with the virulent T. gondii RH strain.The results showed that the immune responses were induced in mice receiving pcGRA14 DNA vaccine.Interestingly, pcGRA14 coated with nanoparticles led to statistically significant enhancements of cellularand humoral immune responses against Toxoplasma infection (P < 0.05). After challenge with RH strainof T. gondii, immunized mice with pcGRA14 showed prolong survival time compared to control groups(P < 0.05). In addition, pcGRA14 coated with nano-adjuvant exhibited the lowest parasitic load in theinfected mice tissues. For the first time, our data indicate that the pcGRA14 coated with CaPN was moreeffective for stimulation of immune responses and should be considered as an adjuvant in the design ofvaccines against toxoplasmosis. |