title: Schistosoma mansoni: genetic non-response to p40, the major protein antigen of the egg, reveals a novel mechanism enhancing IgM production during infection.
abstract: p40 is the major protein antigen in eggs and miracidia of Schistosoma mansoni. Immunization with recombinant p40 produced in bacteria and with p40 from miracidia reveals a conventional immune response gene effect in which H-2b mice fail to produce antibody against p40. This is true when either denatured recombinant p40 and non-denatured miracidial p40 are used as immunogens. In contrast, during infection all strains of mice produce antibodies to p40. However, non-responder H-2b mice produce only IgM to p40 and never any IgG. Thus, H-2b mice appear to be producing specific IgM to p40 in the absence of MHC-restricted T-cell help. The mechanism revealed in these non-responder mice might play an important role in stimulating the production of IgM 'blocking' antibodies to antigens from schistosomula which cross-react with egg antigens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie 82071.
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Trzyna
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Cordingley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000276:immunology*; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II / Q000276:immunology; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D007114:Immunization; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000276:immunology*; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D012908:Snails
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D006183:H-2 Antigens; D015801:Helminth Proteins; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C055560:p40 egg antigen, Schistosoma