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An immunoreactive apoglycoprotein purified from Coccidioides immitis.
K O Dugger1, J N Galgiani, N M Ampel
1Medical and Research Services, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Tucson 85723.
Infection and Immunity
|July 1, 1991
Summary
Researchers purified a novel Coccidioides immitis antigen, important for immune responses. This proline-rich antigen specifically stimulates lymphocytes, suggesting its role in coccidioidal infection immunity.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Coccidioides immitis causes coccidioidomycosis, a fungal infection.
- Diagnostic tools for coccidioidomycosis rely on detecting host immune responses to fungal antigens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To purify and characterize a novel antigen from Coccidioides immitis spherules.
- To investigate the immunologic relevance of this antigen in human coccidioidal infections.
Main Methods:
- Deglycosylation of C. immitis spherule lysate.
- Purification and partial characterization of a proline-rich antigen.
- Lymphocyte stimulation assays.
- Tandem two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis.
- Immunoblotting and immunoelectron microscopy.
Main Results:
- A proline-rich, pronase-sensitive antigen was purified.
- The purified antigen specifically stimulated lymphocytes from individuals with coccidioidal hypersensitivity.
- Immunoelectron microscopy localized the antigen to the C. immitis spherule cell wall and septa.
- The antigen did not cross-react with antigens used in conventional serologic tests.
Conclusions:
- The purified apoglycoprotein is a distinct Coccidioides immitis antigen.
- This antigen plays a role in the human immune response to coccidioidal infection.
- It may serve as a valuable target for future diagnostic or immunotherapeutic strategies.