title: Characterization of IgE responses in a rodent model of filariasis and the allergenic potential of filarial antigens using an in vitro assay.
abstract: Filarial infections are characterized by high IgE antibody responses. So far, it is not clear whether IgE antibodies are involved in protection, pathology or both. We established a bioassay to detect reactive IgE antibodies in jirds infected with the filaria Acanthocheilonema viteae. Sera of A. viteae-infected jirds were used to sensitize rat basophil leukaemia (RBL) cells and degranulation was stimulated by addition of antigens of A. viteae. Reactive IgE responses were detected from 2 weeks post infection (p.i.) and throughout the A. viteae infection. Male antigen triggered the strongest mediator release, followed by female worms, infective larvae (L3) and microfilariae. Separation of male and female antigen indicated that several antigens of both genders are potent allergens. In particular, one male specific allergen of about 550 kDa induced strongest degranulation of RBL cells. In addition, mediator release stimulated by antigen fractions of about 15 kDa was due to filarial cystatin. In conclusion, we describe a convenient in vitro assay to examine IgE mediated responses in jirds. A sex specific filarial protein with high allergenic potential is identified and cystatin is established as a potent allergen of A. viteae.
authors.affiliation: Humboldt-University, 10115 Berlin, Germany. susanne.hartmann@rz.hu-berlin.de
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sollwedel
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sonnenburg
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lucius
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000276:immunology*; D001681:Biological Assay; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D015891:Cystatins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D004153:Dipetalonema / Q000276:immunology*; D004154:Dipetalonema Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005368:Filariasis / Q000276:immunology*; D005849:Gerbillinae; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D015891:Cystatins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E