Abstract
Virulence-associated protein A (VapA) of Rhodococcus equi has been proposed for use both as a vaccine and as a target for antibodies in immunotherapy and diagnostic tests. Epitope mapping of VapA allowed the identification of two B cell epitopes associated with R. equi pneumonia. The peptide NLQKDEPGRASDT was confirmed as an immunodominant N-terminal B cell epitope recognized by all sera from infected foals while VSFQYNAVGPYLNINFFDSS (C-terminal B cell epitope) was exclusively recognized by IgA from the tracheal aspirates. Moreover, specific antibodies produced against the VapA-specific peptide reacted with a major protein (approximately 20 kDa) from R. equi antigens separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The strong reactivity of mucosal IgA from infected foals with the conserved peptides might constitute an attractive target for diagnosis and vaccine.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Actinomycetales Infections / immunology
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Actinomycetales Infections / veterinary*
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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Antibodies, Viral / blood
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Antibodies, Viral / immunology*
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Bacterial Proteins / chemistry
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Bacterial Proteins / genetics
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Bacterial Proteins / immunology*
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Epitope Mapping*
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Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte
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Horse Diseases / immunology*
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Horse Diseases / microbiology
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Horses
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Immunodominant Epitopes
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Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / immunology*
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Membrane Glycoproteins / chemistry
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Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
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Membrane Glycoproteins / immunology*
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Peptides / chemical synthesis
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Peptides / chemistry
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Peptides / immunology
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Rabbits
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Respiratory System / immunology
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Rhodococcus equi / immunology*
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Virulence Factors*
Substances
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Antibodies, Viral
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Bacterial Proteins
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Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte
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Immunodominant Epitopes
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Immunoglobulin A, Secretory
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Membrane Glycoproteins
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Peptides
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Virulence Factors