Characterization of Rat CD4 T Cell Clones Specific for the Major Surface Glycoprotein of Pneumocystis carinii |
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Authors: | SUE A. THEUS RYAN P. ANDREWS MICHAEL J. LINKE PETER D. WALZER |
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Affiliation: | Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267;Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Research Service, Slot 151, 3200 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45220 |
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Abstract: | ABSTRACT. Pneumocystis carinii are coated by abundant heterogenous major surface glycoproteins (MSGs), which facilitate interaction with the host. We have produced MSG-specific T-cell clones from the spleens of P. carinii -exposed Lewis rats and analyzed five for antigen specificity to native MSG and a recombinant form of MSG, cell surface markers, and cytokine profiles. All five of the clones were CD4+. All of the clones proliferated specifically to both the native MSG and the recombinant MSG only in the presence of antigen presenting cells demonstrating that the response is antigen/driven rather than mitogen/driven. All five of the clones secreted IL-2 and IFN-γ, although in differing amounts, implicating a Th l response. Only one of the clones produced any detectable IL-4. This is the first report of T cell clones responsive to a specific antigen of P. carinii , MSG. We conclude that the T cell clones will be helpful in mapping protective epitopes present in MSG and in functional studies of MSG. |
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Keywords: | Antigens infectious disease pneumonia |
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