title: Protein disulfide isomerase of Toxoplasma gondii is targeted by mucosal IgA antibodies in humans.
abstract: Mass spectrometric analysis identified a 49 kDa antigen from Toxoplasma gondii as protein disulfide isomerase (PDI). This antigen is generally recognized by IgA in tears of healthy humans. We determined the complete open reading frame and expressed PDI recombinantly. Recombinant PDI was recognized by IgA in human tears known to contain antibodies specific for the 49 kDa antigen. High expression level and similarity to other protozoan PDIs suggest that T. gondii PDI might be a suitable target for recently described anti-protozoan drugs. PDI-specific antibodies clearly constitute part of the mucosal antibody repertoire possibly involved in defence against parasites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Immunology, the Netherlands Ophthalmic Research Institute, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands. b.meek@ioi.knaw.nl
authors.forename: Bob
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meek
authors.forename: Jaap Willem
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Back
authors.forename: Vincent N A
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Klaren
authors.forename: Dave
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Speijer
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Peek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology*; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D002458:Cell Fractionation; D018503:Genome, Protozoan; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000276:immunology*; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D011233:Precipitin Tests; D019704:Protein Disulfide-Isomerases / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D011817:Rabbits; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods; D013666:Tears / Q000276:immunology*; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D019704:Protein Disulfide-Isomerases