Preparation of species-specific murine monoclonal antibodies against the yeast phase of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.
A panel of four murine monoclonal antibodies showing species specificity for the yeast phase of the pathogenic dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis was produced by using a modification of the standard monoclonal antibody technology. This involved the use of the immunosuppressive drug cyclophosphamide to suppress the immune response of test animals to fungi showing cross-reactivity, i.e., to Histoplasma capsulatum. One monoclonal antibody, P4, which had a high titer by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, was shown to recognize a linear antigenic epitope of P. brasiliensis at a molecular size of 70,000 to 75,000 daltons by Western blot (immunoblot) analysis. The potential use of these monoclonal antibodies, which are the first species-specific probes to P. brasiliensis that have been produced, in the field of serodiagnosis is discussed.
Figueroa
J I
JI
Dermatology Unit, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Hamilton
A J
AJ
Bartholomew
M A
MA
Harada
T
T
Fenelon
L
L
Hay
R J
RJ
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D001758:Blastomyces / Q000276:immunology; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006658:Histoplasma / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D003904:Mitosporic Fungi / Q000276:immunology*; D010228:Paracoccidioides / Q000276:immunology*; D013045:Species Specificity
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal