Stage-specific antigens of Nematospiroides dubius Baylis, 1926 (Nematoda: Heligmosomides).
Antigens were identified from Nematospiroides dubius recovered from outbred Quackenbush mice between 4 and 10 days postinoculation (PI). Parasite surface proteins were radioiodinated and extracts of the whole worms were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, transferred to nitrocellulose, and reacted with normal and immune mouse sera followed by an avidin-biotin-peroxidase assay. Antigens ranged between 250,000 and 20,000 molecular weight (MW). A major surface antigen, 60,000 MW, which appeared to be a complex of different antigens, and a 250,000-MW internal antigen were found on fourth-stage (L4) and fifth-stage (L5) larvae 5-10 days PI but not earlier. A group of minor surface antigens (24,000-30,000 MW) were also expressed as larvae molted from L4 to L5, 6 and 7 days PI, but they differed from antigens of similar MW expressed by adult worms. An antigen, 45,000 MW, was detected in worms 5-10 days PI, but it was only expressed on the surface of L5 worms 9 and 10 days PI. We suggest that the antigen(s) common to adults and larvae may account for protective immunity.
Department of Parasitology, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia.
J H
JH
Adams
I J
IJ
East
F
F
Monroy
E A
EA
Washington
C
C
Dobson
D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000032:analysis*; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D006369:Heligmosomatoidea / Q000276:immunology*; D007118:Immunoassay; D051379:Mice; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009351:Nematospiroides dubius / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*
D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D000954:Antigens, Surface