Molecular characterization of the surface and cyst fluid components of Taenia crassiceps

Information relating to the characterization of cestode surface macromolecules is limited. This is especially the case with Taenia crassiceps, a well-recognized model for the study of larval cestodiasis. Here, the protein and glycoprotein composition of the tegumental surface and cyst fluid of the metacestode have been investigated using radio-isotope labelling, immunoprecipitation, SDS-PAGE and lectin affinity chromatography. A restricted number of surface proteins was labelled with the 125I/Iodogen method although the majority were immunogenic; in contrast an array of cyst fluid antigens were labelled. Host serum proteins, including immunoglobulins, were identified on the surface and in the cyst fluid. Some of the 125I-labelled surface proteins, including a 37 kDa molecule, have been shown to be glycoproteins and probably contain-D-mannose and/or D-glucose; there is limited or no N-acetylglucosamine and no terminal galactose present on these components. A 37 kDa surface molecule, possibly the same glycoprotein, was also precipitated by infection sera and this may endorse the theory that highly immunogenic carbohydrates are continuously shed by T. crassiceps as a mechanism for diverting the immune response of the host. Radio-iodinated and biosynthetically labelled T. crassiceps antigens were highly cross-reactive with antibody raised to other cestodes and not one antigen was identified as a possible candidate for use in specific immunodiagnosis of any of the important taeniid infections.