Most B cells in acute Trypanosoma cruzi infection lack parasite specificity.
The specificity of B lymphocytes activated in the acute phase of murine Trypanosoma cruzi infection was analysed in a panel of immunoglobulin-secreting hybridomas derived by fusion of lymph node cells 7 days after intraperitoneal parasite inoculation. The immunoglobulin isotype distribution of the hybrids reflected the total plaque-forming cell (PFC) response in the animal at this point, with a predominance of IgG2a, IgM, and IgG2b. Screening of the hybridoma antibodies on parasite antigens by three independent methods (western blot, ELISA, and immunofluorescence) revealed only one (out of a total of 51) that bound a parasite molecule with an apparent molecular mass of 180 kDa. In contrast, antibodies of both IgM and IgG classes were found to react with a panel of autologous antigens. These results establish that most B cells activated by T. cruzi infection are not specific for parasite antigens and therefore indicate the relevance of analysing the totality of host responses to infection.
Minoprio
P
P
Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute, Paris, France.
Burlen
O
O
Pereira
P
P
Guilbert
B
B
Andrade
L
L
Hontebeyrie-Joskowicz
M
M
Coutinho
A
A
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000276:immunology*; D000939:Epitopes; D006825:Hybridomas; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D000939:Epitopes; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes; D007075:Immunoglobulin M