Evidence for epitope-specific thymus-independent response against a repeat sequence in a protein antigen

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

9-16-1998

Journal

Immunology

Volume

94

Issue

1

DOI

10.1046/j.1365-2567.1998.00486.x

Abstract

We have studied the immunogenicity 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 immune 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 immunized 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 immune 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.

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