title: Shedding of antibody complexes by Strongyloides ratti (Nematoda) larvae.
abstract: Antigens on the epicuticular surface of Strongyloides ratti infective third-stage larvae (L3) could be demonstrated by an indirect fluorescent antibody technique under certain conditions. Infective L3 shed anti-antibody complexes at room temperature, but not at 4 C or in the presence of sodium azide or colchicine. Shedding of antibody did not appear to involve epicuticular antigens, and only occurred when anti-rat IgG was complexed to rat anti-larval antibody. However, parasitic L3 removed from rats did not exhibit this shedding reaction, suggesting that an important developmental change in cuticle physiology occurs during the transition from a free-living existence to a parasitic mode. The ability to shed foreign objects from the epicuticle of free-living infective L3 may be a defensive or protective response to soil microorganisms.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000276:immunology; D001386:Azides / Q000494:pharmacology; D003078:Colchicine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D019810:Sodium Azide; D013321:Strongyloides / Q000276:immunology*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D001386:Azides; D019810:Sodium Azide; D003078:Colchicine