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Experimental demonstration of an antigenic relationship between Leptospira and equine cornea
Abstract:
Horses inoculated with either equine cornea or killed Leptospira interrogans serovars pomona, tarassovi, icterohaemorrhagiae, wolffi and hardjo, developed corneal opacity and produced antibodies which made it possible to demonstrate partial antigenic identity between equine cornea and four of those serovars employed. These antibodies were isolated by means of immunoadsorptions, purified by ion-exchange chromatography (DEAE-Sephadex A-50) and run by immuno-electrophoresis in agar gel. Both antibodies, anti-equine cornea and anti-leptospira, showed that they corresponded to the IgGb subclass. They bound themselves to equine cornea in vivo and in vitro as was proved by immunofluorescence. This antigenic relationship may be in part responsible for pathogenesis of corneal opacity in leptospirosis of horses.
Insights
Horses with leptospirosis developed antibodies linking equine cornea and Leptospira bacteria. This cross-reactivity may explain the corneal opacity observed in equine leptospirosis.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Immunology
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira bacteria.
- Corneal opacity is a recognized clinical sign in horses affected by leptospirosis.
- The specific mechanisms underlying equine corneal opacity in leptospirosis are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antigenic relationship between equine cornea and Leptospira interrogans serovars.
- To determine if antibodies produced during equine leptospirosis cross-react with corneal antigens.
- To elucidate the potential role of this antigenic relationship in the pathogenesis of corneal opacity.
Main Methods:
- Horses were inoculated with equine cornea or killed Leptospira interrogans serovars.
- Antibodies were isolated using immunoadsorption and purified by ion-exchange chromatography.
- Antibody characterization and binding were assessed via immunoelectrophoresis and immunofluorescence.
- Antibody subclass was identified as IgGb.
Main Results:
- Horses developed antibodies that showed partial antigenic identity between equine cornea and four Leptospira serovars (pomona, tarassovi, icterohaemorrhagiae, wolffi).
- Both anti-equine cornea and anti-Leptospira antibodies belonged to the IgGb subclass.
- These antibodies bound to equine cornea both in vivo and in vitro, confirmed by immunofluorescence.
Conclusions:
- A partial antigenic identity exists between equine cornea and certain Leptospira interrogans serovars.
- The identified IgGb antibodies cross-react with equine corneal tissue.
- This cross-reactivity is a potential contributing factor to the pathogenesis of corneal opacity in equine leptospirosis.