Related Experiment Videos
Antigen heterogeneity and epitope variable expression in Mycoplasma meleagridis isolates
F Dufour-Gesbert1, I Kempf, F De Simone
1Unité de mycoplasmologie bactériologie, Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments, BP 53, F 22440, Ploufragan, France. f.gesbert@ploufragan.afssa.fr
Veterinary Microbiology
|February 13, 2001
Summary
Antigenic profiling of Mycoplasma meleagridis strains revealed significant heterogeneity. Monoclonal antibodies identified variable surface proteins, indicating a dynamic antigenic system in this avian pathogen.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Mycoplasma meleagridis (MM) is an important avian pathogen.
- Understanding MM antigenic variation is crucial for disease control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antigenic heterogeneity of Mycoplasma meleagridis strains.
- To characterize the surface antigens and epitopes of MM using monoclonal antibodies.
Main Methods:
- Immunoblotting was employed to analyze the antigenic profiles of 27 MM strains.
- Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific to MM were developed and characterized.
- Colony immunobinding was used to study in vitro expression of surface epitopes.
Main Results:
- Significant antigenic heterogeneity was observed among different MM strains.
- Five anti-MM MAbs were selected, with three showing no cross-reactivity with other avian mycoplasma species.
- MAbs identified variable surface proteins, including amphiphilic membrane proteins, with differing expression and molecular characteristics across strains.
- A variable antigenic system was demonstrated in M. meleagridis ATCC 25284.
Conclusions:
- Mycoplasma meleagridis exhibits considerable antigenic diversity.
- Monoclonal antibodies are valuable tools for characterizing MM surface antigens.
- The identified variable surface proteins contribute to the dynamic antigenic system of M. meleagridis.