[Occlusive syndrome revealing Varicella-zoster virus infection of the digestive system].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to C Verwaerde.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
We have previously shown that a mAb that inhibits the enzymatic activity of the Schistosoma mansoni 28-kDa glutathione S-transferase (Sm28 GST) also reduces female worm fecundity and egg viability in vivo and in vitro. By peptidic epitope mapping and an activity reconstitution assay, the carboxyl terminus (CT) amino acid residues 190-211 and to a lesser extent the truncated amino terminus (NT) residues 10-43 of the enzyme were identified as mAb recognition sites. Sera from rats immunized with the NT (10-43) and CT (190-211) peptides showed a partial inhibitory effect on Sm28 GST activity in a late phase (6 to 7 wk) but not in an early phase (2 to 4 wk) after immunization. Passive transfer of Sm28 GST-inhibiting anti-N- and C-terminal sera, but not of the noninhibitory sera, protected the infected mice by reducing tissue egg deposition and the ability of eggs to hatch. In active immunization experiments, the CT peptide significantly decreased the worm burden (37 to 40%) in mice as did the rSm28 GST (28 to 52%). In terms of tissue egg deposition and egg-hatching ability, immunization with both the NT and CT peptides reproduced the reduction observed after immunization with rSm28 GST. A constant reduction in egg numbers was noted in the small intestines and the livers of the immunized mice. A clear reduction in the ability of intestinal or hepatic eggs to hatch was observed. The results are discussed in terms of the conformational participation of the NT and CT of Sm28 in the expression of GST activity.
Three Trypanosoma cruzi glutathione-binding proteins (TcGBP) of 45, 30 and 25 kDa presenting glutathione S transferase activity were characterized from T. cruzi epimastigotes. We show here that immunization of mice using TcGBP and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) did not protect the animals against a challenge with bloodstream trypomastigotes. In contrast, immunization of mice using TcGBP in association with Bordetella pertussis plus alum (BpAI) resulted in greatly diminished parasitaemia and significantly protected the animals from lethal infection. Using TcGBP mixed with BpAI and a lower challenge dose, we obtained strongly diminished parasitaemia and 100% protection in terms of survival. Only sera from mice immunized with TcGBP plus BpAI were able to kill trypomastigotes by complement-mediated lysis, whereas sera from mice immunized with TcGBP plus CFA did not. Interestingly, sera from mice immunized with TcGBP plus BpAI showed significant levels of specific IgE, IgG2a and IgG2b antibodies, whereas these isotypes were not detected in sera from mice immunized with TcGBP in CFA. All these levels were increased in sera of protected animals. These results demonstrate that TcGBP antigens can confer resistance to T. cruzi acute infection in mice, and suggest a possible functional role for both IgE and IgG2 isotypes in the induction of protective immunity.
Following purification by affinity chromatography, three glutathione-binding proteins (TcGBP) of 45, 30, and 25 kDa were co-purified from Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes. Using 1-chloro-2,4 dinitrobenzene as substrate, a glutathione S-transferase activity of 70 nmol/min/mg of proteins was detected in the GSH binding fraction. An increased expression of TcGBP and total GST activity was observed upon incubation of parasites with phenobarbital, which is an inducer of GST synthesis. Immunofluorescence and electron microscopic experiments demonstrated that TcGBP were expressed by all developmental stages of the parasite, including infective forms. The expression of these proteins by intracellular dividing amastigotes could be in favour of a potential defensive role of these molecules against host attack. Results obtained by immunoprecipitation of in vitro translation products using anti-TcGBP antisera suggested that these three polypeptides are not glycosylated. In addition, antibodies directed against the TcGBP were found in a high proportion of T. cruzi-infected chronic chagasic patients' sera and in sera of chronically infected BALB/c mice. In contrast, acute chagasic patients' sera and acute-phase mouse sera were found to be poorly reactive with these proteins. Our results identify a new class of potential target antigens, which may be essential for the development of T. cruzi in its host. Their protective role in experimental models deserves to be investigated.
Normal, splenectomized, and athymic Fischer rats were infected with Plasmodium chabaudi. In normal rat infections, acute-phase infection resolved rapidly and completely. In splenectomized rats, infection resulted in high parasitemia and ultimately death. In nude rats, parasite growth was reduced compared with normal rats, and a persistent parasitemia (between 20 and 45%) was observed for several months. Complete resolution of the infection was achieved after adoptive transfer of T lymphocytes, even when transfer occurred during the course of infection. These results indicated that an acquired, T-lymphocyte-dependent immunity was necessary for the complete recovery observed in normal rats. In normal rats, thrombocytopenia and splenomegaly occurred during infection. By contrast, in nude rats, both of these pathological manifestations were only observed after thymus grafting. Thrombocytopenia was also absent in the splenectomized animals. Despite an increase in platelet-associated immunoglobulin levels during the infection, thrombocytopenia was not transferred by injection of infected rat serum to normal recipients. It has been concluded that the nude rat infection can be regarded as a novel and useful model for studying the T-cell-dependent effector and pathological mechanisms and to investigate the anti-P. chabaudi immune response.
The protective effects of two different monoclonal antibodies (mAb) raised against the Schistosoma mansoni 28-kDa glutathione S-transferase (Sm 28 GST) were investigated. Two mAb of the same isotype (IgM) have been selected according to the blocking effect on Sm 28 GST enzymatic activity (S13) or the lack of blockade (H12). When passively transferred into Fischer rats, both S13 and H12 significantly reduced the worm burden. In BALB/c mice clear effects on female worm fecundity and egg viability were observed when the S13 mAb was transferred; these effects included significantly reduced loads of intestinal eggs, reduced egg hatching rates and an increased proportion of non-living eggs. No effect on egg production and egg hatching was observed in H12-treated mice. In addition, worm pairs recovered from S13-but not H12-treated mice laid significantly fewer eggs in vitro, and normal worm pairs incubated in vitro with the S13 mAb produced significantly fewer eggs than those incubated with H12 mAb. The impairment of egg hatching ability was also reproduced in vitro by the S13 mAb. These data suggest the existence of two different effector mechanisms induced by immunization with Sm 28 GST. The effect on the schistosome worm burden appears to be independent of GST activity whereas the effect on S. mansoni female fecundity and egg viability seems to be significantly linked to the inactivation of the enzymatic site.
A Schistosoma mansoni cDNA library was constructed from the mRNA of adult worms in the expression vector lambda gt11 and screened with a rabbit antiserum raised against the 26-kDa S. mansoni glutathione S-transferase isoforms (Sm GST 26). Two clones were selected and the nucleotide sequences deduced. The predicted amino acid sequence, specified by these cDNAs, shows strong homology with a Schistosoma japonicum 26 kDa glutathione S-transferase and a lower level of homology with mammalian glutathione S-transferase class mu isoenzymes (EC 2.5.1.18). No significant homology score was found with a 28-kDa S. mansoni glutathione S-transferase (Sm GST 28). A study of the tissue distribution of the cloned Sm GST 26 by immunoelectron microscopy shows similarities to Sm GST 28 in that they are present in the tegument and in subtegumentary parenchymal cells. However, a major difference exists in the protonephridial region in which Sm GST 26 is present in the cytoplasmic digitations localized in the apical chamber delineated by the flame cell body, suggesting that Sm GST 26 may be actively excreted by adult worms.
A rat IgE mAb specific for larval Ag (26 kDa, 56 kDa) has been shown to protect rats against Schistosoma mansoni infection. Immunizations of Lou/M rats performed with this IgE (Ab1) induced the production of antiidiotypic antibodies (Ab2). Moreover, after this Ab2 production, anti-antiidiotypic antibodies (Ab3) were revealed. The screening of Ab3 isotypes showed the presence of IgG Ab3 and more interestingly of IgE Ab3, i.e., the same isotype as Ab1. These IgE and IgG antibodies recognized predominantly the 26-kDa Ag and were cytotoxic for schistosomula in the presence of platelets for IgE Ab3 and eosinophils for IgG Ab3. Both IgE and IgG Ab3 conferred by passive transfer protective immunity to infected rats (up to 50%). Thus the immunization with an IgE mAb led in part to the production of Ab3 of the same isotype as Ab1. In conclusion, these results suggest that the isotype selection of the antibodies of the third generation (Ab3) might be influenced by the Ab1. The respective role of the idiotope and isotype of Ab1 in isotype regulation is discussed.
The regulation of IgE synthesis in vitro and in vivo by schistosomula-released products (SRP) has been shown to be dependent on the presence of serine proteases. The present paper concerns the characterization of the enzymes involved. The labelling of SRP with [3H]diisopropyl phosphofluoridate revealed two molecules, one major with an MW of 27,500 and one minor with an MW of 29,000. The same pattern was obtained by labelling of schistosomula or cercariae surfaces as well as of the total schistosomulum homogenate. The properties of these enzymes were studied by means of various specific substrates or inhibitors of serine proteases. The specificity was relatively narrow, but had some similarity with trypsin. When added to lymphoid rat cells in culture, SRP induced an increased expression of receptors for the Fc fragment of IgE (Fc epsilon RII). This suggests that the IgE-enhancing property of SRP was due to serine protease activity which may act by enhancing the lymphocyte Fc epsilon RII.
A rat monoclonal antibody of IgE isotype (B48-14) raised against Schistosoma mansoni has been generated by the fusion of mesenteric lymph node cells from LOU/M rats immunized with a preparation of adult schistosome worms and IR973F nonsecreting rat myeloma cells. Investigation of the in vitro effector functions of this IgE antibody showed a high level of cytotoxicity against S. mansoni schistosomula in the presence of eosinophils, macrophages, and platelets. A significant level of protection (40 to 60%) against a challenge infection with S. mansoni cercariae was achieved by passive transfer experiment of B48-14 IgE to naive recipient rats. By immunoprecipitation, B48-14 IgE antibodies were shown to react with an antigen of 26 kDa present in excretion-secretion products of schistosomula, previously described as a potential immunogen eliciting a protective IgE response against schistosomiasis.
Antigens present in the products released by the larval stage of schistosome (SRP-A) were shown to induce a strong cytotoxic and protective IgE response both in the rat and the monkey. T cell lines and clones specific for SRP-A or 26 kD antigens which are the main target of the cytotoxic IgE have been derived. The passive transfer of SRP-A specific T lymphocytes into infected rats led to an increase of the IgE response, conferring a significant level of protection to the rats. In coculture assays in vitro, these cell lines significantly enhanced the production of IgE by SRP-A sensitized rat spleen cells. This helper effect on the IgE response was confirmed with 26 kD T cell clone supernatants. Moreover, supernatants obtained after stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate were able to enhance the IgE production of a hybridoma B cell line (B48-14) producing a monoclonal IgE antibody, cytotoxic for the schistosomula.
The regulation of the IgE response by schistosomula-released products (SRP) was studied either in vitro with rat and human cell cultures or in vivo by injection into rats of SRP with an unrelated allergen at primary or secondary immunization. The results obtained in vitro showed that non-dialysable factors present in SRP potentiate the IgE synthesis by rat and human cells. This enhancing effect was supported by molecules with serine protease activities. On the other hand, the inhibition or depletion of SRP in serine proteases induced a weak synthesis of IgM by rat cells in vitro. The injection of SRP into rats on day 0 with an unrelated allergen led to a potentiation of total IgE production, but an inhibition of specific IgE response. In contrast, a marked elevation of specific IgE response was obtained when SRP was injected upon secondary immunization. Serine proteases of SRP were partly responsible for this potentiative effect.
Brown Norway rats were injected without adjuvant with the soluble products liberated in a 16-hour culture by schistosomula (schistosomula-released products, SRP-A). A strong cytotoxic and protective IgE response was elicited, mainly directed against 22- and 26-kilodalton (kDa) SRP-A molecules. In the present study, we have attempted to characterize further those molecules. Metaperiodate denaturing treatment of the SRP-A glycans before injection into rats did not modify the immunogenicity of the SRP-A antigens. Results obtained by lectin affinity suggested that the 22- and 26-kDa molecules were glycoconjugates binding to ConA. Preparative sodium dodecylsulfate electrophoresis has allowed the separation of enriched fractions of 22- and 26-kDa molecules which have been injected separately into rats. The corresponding sera were tested in antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity and displayed a significant cytotoxic IgE response (65 and 53%, respectively) towards the larvae. These results lend further support to the view that the 22- and 26-kDa antigens are the major targets of the protective IgE response and thus appear as potentially protective antigens.
Schistosomula-released products (SRP-A) have been shown to induce preferentially a significant IgE response against Schistosoma mansoni schistosomula when injected into rats, in the absence of adjuvant. The present work provides additional evidence of the in vivo relevance of the anti-SRP-A target antigens. Two strains of rat (Brown Norway and Fischer) were immunized with SRP-A and infected percutaneously. A significant level of protection (up to 83% reduction in worm burden) was observed. Passive transfer experiments carried out with anti-SRP-A or IgE-depleted anti-SRP-A sera suggested the preponderant role of antibodies and particularly of IgE in the protective immunity developed by Fischer rats. Platelets and macrophages recovered from such immunized rats had surface IgE as demonstrated by immunofluorescence analysis with FITC anti-IgE, and have been shown to be directly cytotoxic for schistosomula. The chemiluminescence observed when the macrophages were incubated with anti-IgE suggested the presence of IgE on the surface of these cells.
The study of the immunology of schistosomiasis has allowed a clear understanding of the basic mechanisms of resistance, emphasizing the important role played by cellular and humoral factors. Whereas the production of polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies and the precise inventory of immune effector mechanisms in the rat and in man have led to the identification of potentially protective antigens, immunization with soluble schistosome components has not allowed a successful control of the destruction of schistosomula after infection. The experiments reported here show that schistosomulum-released products (SRP) were able to induce the production of antibodies, in the rat and the monkey, highly cytotoxic in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, using monocyte monolayers, platelets or eosinophils as effector cells. The immunization of rats with either total SRP or 25-30-kDa molecules purified from schistosomula conferred a significant protection towards a challenge infection by the parasite. IgE and to a lesser extent IgG antibodies represented the major humoral factors of cell activation leading to the schistosomulum killing when anti-SRP antisera, obtained after immunization of the monkey, were incubated with human effector cells.
Oocytes from Xenopus laevis microinjected with RNA isolated from Schistosoma mansoni adult worms translated antigens recognized by sera from infected rats, humans, and from immunized rabbits. The pattern of immunoprecipitated proteins analysed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was species specific in rats. Serum from infected Fischer rats recognized antigens of 20, 27 and several bands in the 50-60 kDa range whereas serum from infected Brown Norway rats also immunoprecipitated major bands at 29, 43 and 100 kDa. Human infection sera gave a very variable pattern of immunoprecipitation not apparently dependent on the patients' age. At least 20 different antigenic species could be identified ranging from 14 to 150 kDa. Some S. mansoni antigenic proteins could be isolated from the membrane fraction of the oocytes whereas notably the 29 kDa band was present mainly in the soluble fraction. N-Glycosylation of S. mansoni antigens occurred as evidenced by the effects of tunicamycin treatment and concanavalin A binding. A multiple series of bands between 50 and 60 kDa, present in the membrane fraction, were glycosylated and secreted from the oocytes. Monoclonal antibodies to larval stage surface antigens failed to immunoprecipitate oocyte translation products, but sera absorbed with live schistosomula identified at least three putative surface antigens of 100, 43 and 29 kDa. However, the 29 kDa molecule was neither synthesized into membranes, nor secreted from oocytes.
The participation of products released from Schistosoma mansoni schistosomula (SRP-A) in the IgG antibody response of infected Brown-Norway rats and infected humans has been studied using immunoprecipitation with various antigenic preparations and in in vitro cytotoxicity assays. A large number of SRP-A molecules with a wide range of molecular weights was recognized by infected rat and human sera. Anti-SRP-A antibodies appeared in rat sera from day 28 after infection. In infected humans, a variable pattern of SRP-A recognition was observed between individuals. IgG antibodies obtained by immunization of rats with SRP-A without addition of adjuvants reacted with 3 major schistosomula surface proteins with molecular weights of 38, 32 and 21 kDa. These latter molecules were also revealed strongly by infected rat sera. Moreover, these antibodies were able to kill schistosomula in vitro in the presence of complement or eosinophils.