Contribution of glycosylation to T cell responses stimulated by recombinant Cryptococcus neoformans mannoprotein.
Mannoproteins are major antigens driving T cell responses to the opportunistic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. To investigate the role played by mannosylation, an immunoreactive cryptococcal mannoprotein was expressed recombinantly in E. coli and Pichia pastoris, resulting in unglycosylated and mannosylated proteins, respectively. The Pichia-derived antigen stimulated stronger major histocompatibility class II-restricted T cell responses. Moreover, responses were potently inhibited if the antigen was chemically deglycosylated or if mannose receptors were blocked with mannans. Thus, mannosylation is critical for optimal T cell responses to a fungal antigen and should be taken into account when vaccines to protect against mycoses are designed.
University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
Charles A
CA
Specht
Shuhua
S
Nong
Jennifer M
JM
Dan
Chrono K
CK
Lee
Stuart M
SM
Levitz
D000818:Animals; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology*; D006031:Glycosylation; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C025363:mannoproteins