Occurrence of fibronectin antigenic determinants on Schistosoma mansoni lung schistosomula and adult worms.
Fibronectin determinants were revealed in a soluble extract of Schistosoma mansoni adult worms by standard immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis techniques. The same target molecules were demonstrated on the parasite's surface using a binding assay with [125I] anti-fibronectin. The use of fluorescein- and peroxidase-conjugated-antibodies confirmed the above observations and provided a fairly precise means for locating the cross-reacting antigen on the worm surface. An in vitro cytotoxic assay using inactivated (56 degrees C, 2 h) anti-fibronectin rabbit immune serum and guinea-pig serum as a source of complement was developed. In these conditions, anti-fibronectin exerted cytotoxic activity against lung schistosomula and adult worms but not skin schistosomula. The ultrastructural damage induced by anti-fibronectin in the presence of complement was studied using transmission electron microscopy. The results suggest a close association between fibronectin determinants and S. mansoni membrane.
D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D007122:Immunoelectrophoresis; D008168:Lung / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000276:immunology*; D012867:Skin / Q000469:parasitology
D000939:Epitopes; D005353:Fibronectins