Isolation and characterization of mouse monoclonal antibodies reactive with soft tick (Acari: Argasidae) salivary antigens of high molecular weight.
The purpose of this study was to immunologically characterize soft tick salivary antigens. BALB/c mice hyperimmunized with salivary gland extract prepared from Ornithodoros talaje (Guérin-Méneville) were observed to develop high titers of antitick salivary antigen antibodies. Subsequent fusion of splenic lymphocytes from the hyperimmunized mice with SP-2/0-AG14 myeloma cells resulted in the production of 10 antitick IgM-producing hybridoma clones. Partial characterization of the respective tick antigens by gel filtration and SDS-PAGE demonstrated all 10 monoclonal antitick antibodies to be reactive with a salivary gland extract fraction containing proteins 50-110 kDa in molecular weight. Cross-reactivity assays and electrophoretic comparison of salivary gland extract specimens demonstrated similar proteins in several ixodid tick genera and species.
Wozniak
E J
EJ
Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611-0620, USA.
Butler
J F
JF
Need
J T
JT
Zam
S G
SG
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008970:Molecular Weight; D012469:Salivary Glands; D013987:Ticks / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000941:Antigens