Modification of accessory activity of sheep monocytes in vitro by a coenurus antigen from Taenia multiceps

A factor in Taenia multiceps coenurus fluid (TMCF) has previously been shown to modify the accessory activity of murine macrophages in vivo and in vitro. The factor (TMCF-F24) has been purified by ion exchange in a fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) system. This study was conducted to determine whether TMCF-F24 is an antigen in naturally occurring cerebral coenuriasis, and whether it can also modify normal sheep blood monocytes. Specific IgG antibodies to TMCF-F24 were detected, using ELISA, in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of sheep with clinical coenuriasis. Alterations in monocyte accessory activity were detected by an assay which measured the rate of increase in mitogen-induced lymphocyte transformation caused by addition of increasing numbers of the monocytes. Normal monocytes caused a positive increase in lymphocyte transformation. Monocytes incubated with TMCF-F24 caused progressive inhibition of transformation. This factor may therefore modify monocyte-T cell interaction in natural infection.