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Evidence for epitope‐specific thymus‐independent response against a repeat sequence in a protein antigen
Author(s) -
Nirbhay Kumar,
Hong Zheng
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1365-2567
pISSN - 0019-2805
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2567.1998.00486.x
Subject(s) - epitope , biology , isotype , antibody , congenic , antigen , recombinant dna , immunology , microbiology and biotechnology , virology , genetics , monoclonal antibody , gene
We have studied the imm_unogenicity of a recombinant heat‐shock protein‐related stress protein of 70 000 MW (Pfhsp) of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum in H‐2 congenic and non‐congenic strains of inbred and outbred mice. Most mice of different genetic backgrounds produced antibodies to Pfhsp, indicating a lack of any apparent genetic restriction of imm_une response. A peptide corresponding to the GGMP repeat sequence in the C‐terminal region of Pfhsp was recognized by more than 75% of sera from imm_unized mice. The GGMP repeat epitope‐specific antibodies were largely of the IgM isotype, especially in all seven inbred strains of mice tested. The lack of significant boosting of the imm_une response, a predominantly IgM isotype of antibodies and generation of antibody responses in athymic nude mice suggest a thymus‐independent response against the GGMP repeat epitope in the Pfhsp molecule.