title: Immunogenic properties of the M. leprae recombinant 18-kDa antigen purified from Saccharomyces cerevisiae; enhancement of delayed-type hypersensitivity after gamma-irradiation.
abstract: In this paper we report the purification and study of the immunogenic properties of the Mycobacterium leprae 18-kDa protein antigen produced and secreted by the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, using an expression system we recently described [Biotech. Lett. 16 (1994) 1241-1246]. The 18-kDa protein was purified from the yeast culture media by precipitation, ion exchange chromatography (MonoQ) and exclusion size chromatography (Sephacryl S-100). The biological properties of the recombinant protein, previously irradiated with gamma rays, were assayed by immunization of mice. Humoral and cellular responses, monitored by antibody production and delayed-type hypersensitivity, respectively, were obtained. Furthermore, gamma-irradiation of the recombinant protein prior to the administration was shown to significantly potentiate the T-cell response. The data suggest that this irradiated recombinant antigen could be used in a more sensitive standardized skin test to monitor M. leprae infection.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Quimica da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Pinho
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Cardi
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Barr
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Bathurst
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Vicente
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Schenberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000528:radiation effects; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000276:immunology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000528:radiation effects; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae
chemical_list: C067864:18 kDa protein, Mycobacterium leprae; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins