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Simultaneous variation of the immunodominant outer membrane proteins, MSP2 and MSP3, during anaplasma marginale

Kelly A Brayton1, Patrick F M Meeus, Anthony F Barbet

  • 1Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-7040, USA. kbrayton@vetmed.wsu.edu

Infection and Immunity
|October 24, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Anaplasma marginale evades the immune system by switching surface proteins, major surface protein 2 (MSP2) and MSP3. Similar switching rates explain the cyclic bacterial infections observed in hosts.

Area of Science:

  • Bacteriology
  • Immunology
  • Vector-borne diseases

Background:

  • Vector-borne bacterial pathogens utilize surface antigen variation for immune evasion in mammalian hosts.
  • Anaplasma marginale, a rickettsia, possesses two highly immunogenic outer membrane proteins: major surface protein 2 (MSP2) and MSP3.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if surface coat switching and immune evasion mechanisms observed in other pathogens apply to Anaplasma marginale with multiple immunodominant surface proteins.
  • To determine the relationship between the switching rates and immune selection of MSP2 and MSP3 in Anaplasma marginale.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Anaplasma marginale infection dynamics in immunocompetent hosts.
  • Monitoring the clearance and emergence of variants of major surface protein 2 (MSP2) and MSP3.

Main Results:

  • Simultaneous clearance of variants for both MSP2 and MSP3 was observed.
  • Unique variants of MSP2 and MSP3 emerged following clearance.
  • Switching rates and immune selection pressures for MSP2 and MSP3 were found to be similar.

Conclusions:

  • The similar switch rates and immune selection for MSP2 and MSP3 in Anaplasma marginale can explain the cyclic bacteremia during infection.
  • The model of surface coat switching and immune evasion is applicable to vector-borne bacterial pathogens with multiple immunodominant surface proteins.

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