Brugia malayi: patterns of expression of surface-associated antigens.
Patterns of expression of surface-associated antigens were analyzed in the filarial nematode Brugia malayi immediately prior, and during development in the vertebrate host. Two surface-associated protein molecules, i.e., accessible to surface radioiodination and soluble in aqueous buffers, were investigated: Mrs 29-30,000 and 16,000, both of which are antigenic in infected animals. The Mr 29-30,000 glycoprotein is expressed in a surface-associated manner by adult worms and by fourth-stage larvae, but is not detectable in preparasitic third-stage larvae. The 16,000 component, which appears not to be glycosylated, is surface-associated in adult worms and fourth-stage larvae. In contrast to the 29-30,000 glycoprotein, the 16,000 protein is also expressed both by pre- and postparastic third-stage larvae. However, it becomes surface-associated only after infection. Thus, immediately prior, and during development within the vertebrate host, B. malayi displays at least two different patterns of expression of surface-associated antigens: (i) de novo, intiated either immediately after infection (phase specific) or during genesis of the fourth-stage larva (stage specific); (ii) continuous, but with phase-dependent surface exposure of previously cryptic antigens, during the transition from intermediate to definitive host.
Storey
N
N
New England Biolabs, Inc., Beverly, Massachusetts 01915.
Philipp
M
M
D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002009:Brugia / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004605:Elephantiasis, Filarial / Q000469:parasitology; D005849:Gerbillinae; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007814:Larva / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011233:Precipitin Tests
D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D006023:Glycoproteins; D015801:Helminth Proteins