Development of made-to-order type Babesia vaccine

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25660235
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Veterinary medical science
• Research Institution: Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: YOKOYAMA Naoaki 帯広畜産大学, 原虫病研究センター, 教授 (80301802)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): INOUE Noboru 帯広畜産大学, 原虫病研究センター, 教授 (10271751)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 原虫 / バベシア / ワクチン / オーダーメイド / 赤血球侵入

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we have isolated erythrocyte invasion-related genes, including those encode MSA, and determined the genetic polymorphism of these genes in Babesia that is distributed in Asia, Africa, and South America. In addition, we revealed the involvement of Babesia vaccine candidate molecules (RAP-1, AMA-1, TRAP) in the parasite’s erythrocyte invasion. Furthermore, in addition to establishing new in vitro tools for the elucidation of the mechanisms associated with erythrocyte invasion as well as for the genetic engineering of Babesia, we clarified the gene expression profiles in the merozoite stage of this parasite. The findings of the present study are useful not only for furthering our understanding of erythrocyte invasion mechanisms of Babesia but also for the development of vaccines against babesiosis.

Free Research Field

獣医原虫病学