Human dermatophyte-responsive T-cell lines recognize cross-reactive antigens associated with mannose-rich glycoproteins.
Resistance to dermatophyte infections has been shown to be mediated in part by T lymphocytes. The dermatophyte antigens recognized by human T lymphocytes and their degree of cross-reactivity were analyzed. Dermatophyte-responsive T-cell lines were generated by in vitro sensitization to crude fungal extracts obtained from Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton tonsurans, Microsporum canis and Epidermophyton floccosum. Proliferation was measured by incorporation of 3H-thymidine. The human T-cell lines responded to fungal extracts derived from these various dermatophyte species, demonstrating the recognition of cross-reactive antigens by human T cells. However, the T cells were dermatophyte-specific as they did not respond to herpes antigen, nor did herpes-specific T cells derived from the same donors respond to dermatophyte antigens. The mannose-rich glycoprotein fraction (mannan) isolated from T. rubrum was able to induce proliferation of T-cell lines generated by stimulation with various fungal extracts. Furthermore, a T-cell line generated by stimulation with mannan derived from T. rubrum proliferated in response to extracts from various fungal species, indicating that a major cross-reactive dermatophyte T-cell antigen was present in the mannose-rich glycoprotein fraction.
MacCarthy
K G
KG
Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
Blake
J S
JS
Johnson
K L
KL
Dahl
M V
MV
Kalish
R S
RS
D000328:Adult; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000276:immunology*; D003883:Arthrodermataceae / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002460:Cell Line; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004821:Epidermophyton / Q000276:immunology; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008351:Mannans / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D008358:Mannose / Q000032:analysis*; D008864:Microsporum / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000276:immunology; D014316:Tritium
D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D006023:Glycoproteins; D008351:Mannans; D014316:Tritium; D008358:Mannose; D013936:Thymidine