[Sensitizing properties of Brucella protein antigens synthesized in K12 Escherichia coli cells]

The sensitizing properties of brucella 31 kD and 31+15 kD protein antigens produced by Escherichia coli cell carrying and expressing the corresponding brucella genes were compared. In experiments evaluating the test of mouse feet oedema in CBA line animals the property of the 31 kD antigen preparation to induce the specific oedema effect was demonstrated on the level comparable with the one produced by the brucella outer membrane proteins preparation. The obtained data were confirmed in the experiments on adoptive transfer of prolonged type hypersensitivity via the spleen cells from the sensitized donors to intact recipient animals. The future of molecular cloning technique usage for obtaining the homogeneous stable preparations of brucella antigens with low reactivity and high specificity is discussed.