Harnessing <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> microneme proteins for serodiagnosis and vaccine development: a review

INTRODUCTION: pathogenesis, and evaluates their translational potential for diagnostics and vaccine development. DISCUSSION: Key MIC adhesin complexes - including the lectin-based MIC1/4/6 complex and the transmembrane MIC2-M2AP complex - mediate glycan recognition, host cell attachment, moving junction formation, and gliding motility. Beyond invasion, MICs function as immunomodulators engaging Toll-like receptors (TLR2, TLR4, TLR11) to elicit pro-inflammatory responses while activating EGFR-Akt signaling to inhibit autophagy. The translational potential is substantial: MIC-based antigens enable sensitive serodiagnosis, differentiating acute from chronic infections. In contrast, MIC-based vaccines across multiple platforms demonstrate considerable protective efficacy in preclinical experimental models. Notably, the MIC1-3 knockout strain confers protection in sheep that is comparable to that of commercial vaccines; however, it is important to note that most supporting evidence remains at the preclinical stage and clinical validation in human populations is still required. CONCLUSIONS: MICs represent promising targets that bridge fundamental parasitology and clinical applications. Integration of MIC biology with translational strategies provides foundations for developing next-generation diagnostics and vaccines against toxoplasmosis.