Ultrastructural colocalization of phosphorylcholine and a phosphorylcholine-associated epitope in first-stage larvae of Trichinella spiralis

Parasitol Res. 1995;81(8):643-50. doi: 10.1007/BF00931840.

Abstract

Although the presence of phosphorylcholine (PC) in Trichinella is well established, the structures of the TSL-4 antigens that bear this epitope are unknown. A subset of TSL-4 antigens (TSL-8 antigens) has been reported to be absent from the surface of first-stage T. spiralis larvae. We report experiments with a monoclonal antibody (mAb US2) developed in mice with a relative inability to produce antibodies to PC. In immunoblotting, mAb US2 and anti-PC mAb (BH8) showed apparently identical binding patterns. In addition, we used an immunogold double-labeling technique to study the anatomical distribution of the epitopes recognized by these mAbs; the results obtained indicate close colocalization of epitopes for BH8 and US2 in tissues of T. spiralis first-stage larvae. On the basis of these results, we suggest that US2 probably binds to all T. spiralis TSL-4 antigens, including TSL-8 antigens. We also clarify some conflicting previous reports on the distribution of PC immunoreactivity in first-stage larvae of T. spiralis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Helminth / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology*
  • Antigens, Helminth / analysis*
  • Antigens, Helminth / immunology
  • Epitopes / analysis*
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • Female
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred CBA
  • Phosphorylcholine / analysis*
  • Phosphorylcholine / immunology
  • Trichinella spiralis / immunology*
  • Trichinella spiralis / ultrastructure
  • Trichinellosis / immunology*
  • Trichinellosis / parasitology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Helminth
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, Helminth
  • Epitopes
  • Phosphorylcholine