[Recognition of intact cells from Cryptococcus neoformans by the anti-glucuronoxylomannan 4B3 monoclonal antibody]

The capacity of the 4B3 monoclonal antibody, previously obtained by immunization of BALB/c mice with the capsular polysaccharide of Cryptococcus neoformans was studied to recognize this structure as part of the intact cell of this yeast. With this aim, 4B3 was evaluated by cellular ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence, using as an antigen a cell suspension of the 028 LMIPK C. neoformans strain. Serum from the mouse used in the fusion for obtaining 4B3 monoclonal antibody was used as a positive control, whereas an anti-dengue monoclonal antibody was used as a negative control. Both methods demonstrated that the above mentioned monoclonal antibody is capable of recognizing the native antigen, which will allow its future evaluation for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.