Heterologous immunization targeting the CST1 antigen confers better protection than ROP18 in mice.

To evaluate the protective efficacy induced by heterologous immunization with recombinant baculoviruses or virus-like particles targeting the CST1 and ROP18 antigens of .: Recombinant baculovirus and virus-like particle vaccines expressing CST1 or ROP18 antigens were developed to evaluate protective immunity in mice upon challenge infection with 450 (ME49). Immunization with CST1 or ROP18 vaccines induced similar levels of -specific IgG and IgA responses. Compared with ROP 18, CST1 vaccine showed better antibody-secreting cell response, germinal center B cell activation, and significantly reduced brain cyst burden and body weight loss. Our findings suggest that CST1 heterologous immunization elicited better protection than ROP18, providing important insight into improving the toxoplasmosis vaccine design strategy.