| Abstract: | A monoclonal IgE antibody was prepared by fusion of NS-1 myeloma cells with spleen cells of C3H/He mice immunized with an extract of adult worms of Schistosoma japonicum (Sj). The antibody was able to elicit passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in the rat skin against Sj with the highest titer of 1/256,000 in an ascitic form but did not cross-react with any of antigens extracted from S. mansoni, Fasciola hepatica, Paragoniumus westermani, or Trichinella spiralis. Western blot analysis indicated that the monoclonal IgE antibody recognized epitopes on molecules of 82 kDa, 97 kDa, 160 kDa, and 200 kDa, at least some of which were recognized by IgG antibodies of patients with chronic schistosomiasis japonica. The IgE antibody also recognized a 97-kDa antigen expressed on the surface of mechanically transformed schistosomula. Passive transfer of the antibody into mice in an early stage of challenge infection resulted in a partial but significant reduction of recovery of adult worms. However, similar treatment was not effective for the protection if the antibody was given in the postlung stage of the infection. Moreover, eosinophil-mediated damage to schistosomula was observed in vitro in the presence of the monoclonal anti-Sj IgE antibody, whereas the damage was not observed in the presence of another monoclonal IgE antibody with dinitrophenyl specificity. |
