title: Characterization of rat CD4 T cell clones specific for the major surface glycoprotein of Pneumocystis carinii.
abstract: Pneumocystis carinii are coated by abundant heterogenous major surface glycoproteins (MSGs), which facilitate interaction with the host. We have produced MSG-specific T-cell clones from the spleens of P. carinii-exposed Lewis rats and analyzed five for antigen specificity to native MSG and a recombinant form of MSG, cell surface markers, and cytokine profiles. All five of the clones were CD4+. All of the clones proliferated specifically to both the native MSG and the recombinant MSG only in the presence of antigen presenting cells demonstrating that the response is antigen/driven rather than mitogen/driven. All five of the clones secreted IL-2 and IFN-gamma, although in differing amounts, implicating a Th1 response. Only one of the clones produced any detectable IL-4. This is the first report of T cell clones responsive to a specific antigen of P. carinii, MSG. We conclude that the T cell clones will be helpful in mapping protective epitopes present in MSG and in functional studies of MSG.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Ohio 45267, USA.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Theus
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Linke
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Walzer
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002999:Clone Cells; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011010:Pneumocystis / Q000276:immunology*; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D008222:Lymphokines; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; C077556:GPA protein, Pneumocystis carinii sp.; D004247:DNA