Immunological cross-reactivity between a glycoprotein isolated from Trichophyton mentagrophytes and human isoantigen A.
A glycoprotein isolated from the cell wall of Trichophyton mentagrophytes was assessed for its cross-reaction with human blood group isoantigens. Rabbit antiglycoprotein antibodies agglutinated human erythrocytes of blood groups A1 and A2, and precipitated Blood Group Substance A in agarose gels. Erythrocytes of blood group B were only slightly agglutinated, and O(Rho+) and O(Rho-) erythrocytes were not. Additionally, the glycoprotein was shown to specifically inhibit isoagglutination of erythrocytes of group A. Partial identity between the glycoprotein and a crude extract of the fungus was demonstrated by immunodiffusion. Analyses revealed the glycoprotein to be composed of approximately 17% protein and 80% carbohydrate. The glycoprotein was found by indirect immunofluorescence to be located in the mycelial cell wall. The possibility that cross-reacting antigens may lead to a chronic, spreading infection is discussed.
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D000818:Animals; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000276:immunology*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006385:Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests; D006801:Humans; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D011817:Rabbits / Q000276:immunology; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D006023:Glycoproteins