Localization of the major immunogen and other glycoproteins of the louse Polyplax spinulosa.
A 31-kDa.immunogenic glycoprotein of Polyplax spinulosa was localized on louse sections using indirect immunofluorescence with specific antibodies of louse-infested rats and using fluorescein-labelled lectins. Antibodies of infested rats reacted specifically with midgut epithelium and semi-digested content of the gut. They did not bind to other louse tissues including salivary glands. The lectins concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutinin bound strongly to the immunogen, the gut and its semidigested contents. Electrophoretic and blotting analysis showed the presence of a 31-kDa glycoprotein component reacting with specific rat antibodies, concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutinin in louse faeces. The result indicates that the 31-kDa immunogen is secreted by the midgut epithelium into the gut lumen and faeces. We suggest that rats become immunized by scratching the lice faeces into the skin.
Volf
P
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Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Sciences, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004064:Digestive System / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008297:Male; D008003:Phthiraptera / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000276:immunology*; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR
D006023:Glycoproteins