Studies on schistosomiasis in western Kenya: II. Efficacy of praziquantel for treatment of schistosomiasis in persons coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus-1

Praziquantel is the drug of choice for schistosomiasis chemotherapy. Although the exact mechanism of how praziquantel kills schistosomes remains poorly understood, the immune response of the host is an important factor in drug efficacy. It is thus possible that disease states of humans that lead to immunodeficiencies, such as infection with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1), may render praziquantel less effective in treating schistosomiasis. To test this hypothesis, persons with high levels of Schistosoma mansoni infection who were or were not also infected with HIV-1 were treated with a standard regimen of praziquantel and monitored by quantitative fecal examination and plasma circulating cathodic antigen. Both groups responded to praziquantel therapy equally and individuals with low percentages (< 20%) of CD4+ T cells did not differ from individuals with higher CD4 cell percentages. These data demonstrate that persons with HIV-1 infection can be treated effectively for schistosomiasis with praziquantel.

Molecular characterization of a fucosyltransferase encoded by Schistosoma mansoni

The glycans of schistosomes include many complex carbohydrates that contain fucose. Although the biological functions of these complex carbohydrates are not yet clearly understood, some of these structures are thought to play essential roles in the life cycle of the parasite. Here we present the molecular cloning and characterization of a fucosyltransferase of Schistosoma mansoni with a DNA sequence similarity of 84.6 and 63.7% to mouse and human fucosyltransferase type VII. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA indicated that this S. mansoni fucosyltransferase is the product of a single gene. The schistosome cDNA sequence that we obtained contains an open reading frame encoding a protein of 351 amino acids with a predicted molecular size of 40.5 kDa. From the amino acid sequence, we predicted two potential N-linked and one O-linked glycosylation site. Western blot studies of extracts from stably transfected CHO cells showed a band corresponding to the schistosome fucosyltransferase at 50 kDa, suggesting that the enzyme is indeed glycosylated. We further demonstrated the expression and enzymatic activity of the fucosyltransferase in the transfected cells by immunofluorescence studies and flow microfluorimetric analysis, which indicated that the enzyme is capable of synthesizing the SLeX blood group determinant but not the LeX determinant in CHO cells. The identification of a fucosyltransferase type VII in schistosomes further underscores the importance of fucose-containing glycans in schistosome glycobiology.

Molecular characterization of a 20.8-kDa Schistosoma mansoni antigen. Sequence similarity to tegumental associated antigens and dynein light chains

Survival of Schistosoma mansoni within the infected host requires the parasite to actively maintain its protective tegument. The components responsible for this maintenance are therefore attractive targets for immunoprophylaxis or chemotherapy. Here we report the molecular characterization of a 20.8-kDa tegumental antigen with sequence similarity to dynein light chains and tegumental associated antigens. A cDNA encoding the 20.8-kDa polypeptide contains an open reading frame of 181 amino acids and predicts an isoelectric point of 7.27. Expression of the 20.8-kDa antigen is developmentally regulated, with the highest concentration found in cercariae. Our data show that the 20.8-kDa polypeptide specifically interacts with a S. mansoni 10.4-kDa dynein light chain that we have previously described (Hoffmann, K. F., and Strand, M. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 26117-26123). Velocity sedimentation analysis of a parasite extract demonstrated that this 10.4-kDa dynein light chain and the 20.8-kDa polypeptide were present in a complex that sedimented at 4.4 Svedberg units. We have also shown by antibody cross-reactivity that a 20.8-kDa homolog of the S. mansoni antigen is present in Schistosoma japonicum, but not in Schistosoma hematobium or Fasciola hepatica. Because the 20.8-kDa polypeptide displays ideal characteristics of a potential vaccine candidate, including (i) expression in the tegument, (ii) significant divergence from mammalian brain cytoplasmic dynein, and (iii) a conserved homolog in S. japonicum, we are currently evaluating its immunoprophylactic efficacy.

Effect of mineral nutrition content on oxygen exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence in needles of Norway spruce

Photosynthetic O(2) evolution at high irradiances (approximately 600-1000 micro mol m(-2) s(-1)) and O(2) uptake in darkness were measured in needles of control, irrigated and irrigated-fertilized trees of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). Measurements were made at 20 degrees C and at high CO(2) concentrations. The results suggest that, at given times of the year, a major part of the variation in gross photosynthesis of current-year and one-year-old needles across treatments is associated with differences in needle N content. Furthermore, the rate of O(2) uptake measured after 5 or 10 min in darkness was positively correlated with both the preceding rate of gross O(2) evolution and the N content in fully expanded current-year needles. Measurements of chlorophyll a fluorescence, taken simultaneously with measurements of O(2) evolution in current-year sun needles, showed that Stern-Volmer quenching of minimum fluorescence and the ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence in the dark- and light-adapted state were strongly correlated with the gross rate of O(2) evolution. This suggests that the increased rate of gross photosynthesis in needles of irrigated-fertilized trees was associated with adjustments in the thermal energy dissipation within photosystem II.

IL-12 enhances vaccine-induced immunity to schistosomes by augmenting both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses against the parasite

The production of Th1-type cytokines is associated with strong cell-mediated immunity, while Th2-type cytokines typically dominate humoral immune responses. In mice vaccinated a single time with attenuated cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni, the protection induced is associated with Th1 cytokine-dependent, cell-mediated immunity. In contrast, mice vaccinated multiple times display a more Th2-type dominant cytokine response and develop Ab-dependent resistance. We have previously shown that IL-12 enhances cell-mediated immunity in singly vaccinated mice. In the present study, we asked what effects administering IL-12 as an adjuvant would have on the development of a protective humoral response in multiply immunized animals. We found that multiply immunized/IL-12-treated mice displayed a marked increase in resistance to challenge infection, with some animals demonstrating complete protection. The IL-12-vaccinated mice developed strongly polarized Th1 responses but, importantly, also showed significant increases in parasite-specific Ab and, in particular, IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgG1 isotypes. Passive transfer demonstrated an enhanced ability of serum from these animals to protect naive recipients. In addition, animals vaccinated in the presence of IL-12 also developed macrophages with increased nitric oxide-dependent killing activity against the parasites. Together, these data demonstrate that IL-12, initially described as an adjuvant for cell-mediated immunity, may be used to simultaneously to promote both humoral and cell-mediated protective responses against infection.

IL-12 enhances vaccine-induced immunity to schistosomes by augmenting both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses against the parasite

The production of Th1-type cytokines is associated with strong cell-mediated immunity, while Th2-type cytokines typically dominate humoral immune responses. In mice vaccinated a single time with attenuated cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni, the protection induced is associated with Th1 cytokine-dependent, cell-mediated immunity. In contrast, mice vaccinated multiple times display a more Th2-type dominant cytokine response and develop Ab-dependent resistance. We have previously shown that IL-12 enhances cell-mediated immunity in singly vaccinated mice. In the present study, we asked what effects administering IL-12 as an adjuvant would have on the development of a protective humoral response in multiply immunized animals. We found that multiply immunized/IL-12-treated mice displayed a marked increase in resistance to challenge infection, with some animals demonstrating complete protection. The IL-12-vaccinated mice developed strongly polarized Th1 responses but, importantly, also showed significant increases in parasite-specific Ab and, in particular, IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgG1 isotypes. Passive transfer demonstrated an enhanced ability of serum from these animals to protect naive recipients. In addition, animals vaccinated in the presence of IL-12 also developed macrophages with increased nitric oxide-dependent killing activity against the parasites. Together, these data demonstrate that IL-12, initially described as an adjuvant for cell-mediated immunity, may be used to simultaneously to promote both humoral and cell-mediated protective responses against infection.

Changes in Cytokinin Content and Cytokinin Oxidase Activity in Response to Derepression of ipt Gene Transcription in Transgenic Tobacco Calli and Plants

Metabolic control of cytokinin oxidase by its substrate was investigated in planta using wild-type (WT) and conditionally ipt gene-expressing transgenic (IPT) tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) callus cultures and plants. The derepression of the tetracycline (Tc)-dependent ipt gene transcription was followed by a progressive, more than 100-fold increase in total cytokinin content in IPT calli. The activity of cytokinin oxidase extracted from these calli began to increase 16 to 20 h after gene derepression, and after 13 d it was 10-fold higher than from Tc-treated WT calli. An increase in cytokinin oxidase activity, as a consequence of elevated cytokinin levels, was found in detached leaves (8-fold after 4 d) and in roots of intact plants (4-fold after 3 d). The partially purified cytokinin oxidase from WT, repressed IPT, and Tc-derepressed IPT tobacco calli exhibited similar characteristics. It had the same broad pH optimum (pH 6.5-8.5), its activity in vitro was enhanced 4-fold in the presence of copper-imidazole, and the apparent Km(N6-[[delta]2iso-pentenyl]adenine) values were in the range of 3.1 to 4.9 [mu]M. The increase in cytokinin oxidase activity in cytokinin-overproducing tissue was associated with the accumulation of a glycosylated form of the enzyme. The present data indicate the substrate induction of cytokinin oxidase activity in different tobacco tissues, which may contribute to hormone homeostasis.

Molecular identification of a Schistosoma mansoni tegumental protein with similarity to cytoplasmic dynein light chains

The tegument of Schistosoma mansoni contains a number of proteins that presumably function in its maintenance and/or repair against damage incurred from host-mediated humoral immune responses. Here, we show that the schistosome antigen identified by monoclonal antibody 709A2/2 is a cytoplasmic dynein light chain. Dynein light chains are components of dynein, an enzyme complex involved in various aspects of microtubule-based motility. Monoclonal antibody 709A2/2 recognizes two polypeptides, one of 8.9 kDa and a second of 7.6 kDa, as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. We find that expression of S. mansoni dynein light chain is developmentally regulated and localized to the tegument in the schistosomula, lung stage worms, and adult worms, but is not present in the cercariae or ciliated miracidia. By Northern blot analysis of adult worm RNA, S. mansoni dynein light chain is encoded by a single message of approximately 600 base pairs. A cDNA encoding this polypeptide contains an open reading frame of 89 amino acids with a deduced molecular mass of 10.4 kDa. Coprecipitation of an apparent 18.4-kDa antigen with S. mansoni dynein light chain by monoclonal antibody 709A2/2 illustrates that this molecule has an affinity for other proteins. Such interactions may play a role in S. mansoni dynein light chain participation in organelle trafficking in S. mansoni.

Calpain is the target antigen of a Th1 clone that transfers protective immunity against Schistosoma mansoni

A CD4+ clone (clone B), characterized as Th1 based on its selective production of IFN-gamma and IL-2, was established from C57Bl/6 mice protectively immunized against Schistosoma mansoni by intradermal vaccination with soluble worm Ags, plus bacillus Calmette Guerin. In agreement with previous results demonstrating an IFN-gamma-dependent cell-mediated protective mechanism in this vaccination model, Ag-elicited peritoneal macrophages from syngeneic recipients of this clone were activated to kill schistosome larvae (schistosomula) in vitro. Moreover, recipients of clone B displayed significant resistance against cercarial challenge. By screening a battery of lambda(gt11) clones from an adult worm cDNA library, one recombinant (25B) was identified that stimulated clone B specifically. Analysis of the 25B cDNA insert revealed a nucleotide sequence identical with that of the large subunit of schistosome calpain, a Ca2+-activated neutral proteinase. By expressing the products of PCR subcloning, we identified a 146-amino acid region of the 25B gene containing immunologic activity equivalent to the whole polypeptide. Overlapping peptides spanning this region were synthesized, and a core epitope was identified with the sequence EWKGAWCDGS. Since clone B responds to supernatants from cultured schistosomula, we postulate that the recognition of calpain released by invading larvae and resulting induction of Th1 cytokines accounts for the protection mediated by the adoptively transferred clone. Our findings thus implicate calpain as a target of protective immunity in schistosomes and provide the first example of a candidate vaccine Ag for this parasite identified on the basis of T cell reactivity.

Calpain is the target antigen of a Th1 clone that transfers protective immunity against Schistosoma mansoni

A CD4+ clone (clone B), characterized as Th1 based on its selective production of IFN-gamma and IL-2, was established from C57Bl/6 mice protectively immunized against Schistosoma mansoni by intradermal vaccination with soluble worm Ags, plus bacillus Calmette Guerin. In agreement with previous results demonstrating an IFN-gamma-dependent cell-mediated protective mechanism in this vaccination model, Ag-elicited peritoneal macrophages from syngeneic recipients of this clone were activated to kill schistosome larvae (schistosomula) in vitro. Moreover, recipients of clone B displayed significant resistance against cercarial challenge. By screening a battery of lambda(gt11) clones from an adult worm cDNA library, one recombinant (25B) was identified that stimulated clone B specifically. Analysis of the 25B cDNA insert revealed a nucleotide sequence identical with that of the large subunit of schistosome calpain, a Ca2+-activated neutral proteinase. By expressing the products of PCR subcloning, we identified a 146-amino acid region of the 25B gene containing immunologic activity equivalent to the whole polypeptide. Overlapping peptides spanning this region were synthesized, and a core epitope was identified with the sequence EWKGAWCDGS. Since clone B responds to supernatants from cultured schistosomula, we postulate that the recognition of calpain released by invading larvae and resulting induction of Th1 cytokines accounts for the protection mediated by the adoptively transferred clone. Our findings thus implicate calpain as a target of protective immunity in schistosomes and provide the first example of a candidate vaccine Ag for this parasite identified on the basis of T cell reactivity.

Molecular cloning of a Schistosoma mansoni protein expressed in the gynecophoral canal of male worms

Female members of the species Schistosoma mansoni require continual interaction with males to achieve sexual maturity [1,2]. The nature of the developmental stimuli provided by the adult male parasite are unknown. Aronstein and Strand have reported that the surface expression of an 86-kDa gynecophoral canal protein, SmGCP, is gender-specific in adult S. mansoni [3]. The antigen shows wide distribution on the surface of adult female worms, but in males surface expression is limited to the gynecophoral canal, the site of direct interaction between the mating pair. Expression of the antigen is undetectable or severely diminished in unmated male worms, suggesting a role for this glycoprotein in schistosome mating and/or egg production. We report here the molecular cloning and sequencing of a cDNA clone, SmGCP, which contains a deduced amino acid sequence of 688 residues with a predicted molecular mass of 79 kDa. SmGCP is encoded by a single RNA transcript of 2.4 kb. Enzymatic removal of N-linked glycans from native SmGCP results in a 7-kDa shift in molecular mass as observed by SDS-PAGE. SmGCP contains multiple short, conserved repeat regions with sequence similarity to the developmentally-regulated neural cell adhesion molecule fasciclin I. Although localized to the schistosome surface, SmGCP lacks a convincing transmembrane region. The identification of a gynecophoral canal-specific antigen may have implications for the reproductive development of schistosomes and may provide a novel target for anti-parasite therapeutics.

Polyembryonic development: insect pattern formation in a cellularized environment

THe polyembryonic wasp Copidosoma floridanum produces up to 2000 individuals from a single egg. During the production of individual embryos the original anteroposterior axis of the egg is lost and axial patterning must subsequently be reestablished within each embryo. The mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. In most insects, egg polarity is established during oogenesis and early development takes place in a syncytium. In Drosophila melanogaster, the syncytium is considered essential for establishing the morphogenetic gradients that initiate segmental patterning. However, we found that development of C. floridanum occurs almost exclusively in a cellularized environment. To determine whether the D. melanogaster patterning cascade is conserved in the absence of a syncytium, we analyzed the expression of Even-skipped, Engrailed and Ultrabithorax/Abdominal-A during polyembryonic development. Here we show that in spite of the absence of a syncytium, the elements of the D. melanogaster segmentation hierarchy are conserved. The segment-polarity gene Engrailed and the homeotic genes Ultrabithorax/Abdominal-A are expressed in a conserved pattern relative to D. melanogaster. However, we detect an alteration in the expression of the Even-skipped antigen. Even-skipped is initially expressed in segmentally reiterated stripes and not in the pair-rule pattern as it is in D. melanogaster. We also observe that the expression of these regulatory proteins does not occur during the early proliferative phases of polyembryony. Our results indicate that a syncytium is not required for segmental patterning in this insect.

The use of 212Pb-labeled monoclonal antibody in the treatment of murine erythroleukemia

PURPOSE

The goals of this study were to learn whether the DOTA chelator was useful for targeting lead radionuclides (203,212 Pb) to cells and tissues invaded by the Rauscher leukemia virus (RVB3) and to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of targeted 212Pb in treating the murine leukemia.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Five to 6-week-old BALB/c mice were inoculated i.v. with RVB3. This virus causes marked splenomegaly and death by day 13 and day 70 postinfection, respectively. Biodistribution, tumor targeting, and toxicity studies were performed using varying doses of 212Pb-DOTA-103A. A heavy metal chelator, DMPS, was administered orally and parenterally in two phases of the toxicity study.

RESULTS

Biodistribution studies showed marked tumor targeting (58% ID/g spleen) in mice treated with 203Pb-103A as compared with mice treated with control antibody B3 (4.6% ID/g spleen). Histologic cure was achieved in all leukemic mice treated with 20 muCi212Pb-103A; however, all of the mice died with leukopenia and secondary++ bacterial infections due to severe bone marrow toxicity. Nonleukemic mice and mice treated with 20 muCi212Pb-B3 experienced less marrow toxicity and longer survival. Coadministration of the heavy metal chelator did not diminish the bone marrow toxicity.

CONCLUSION

An effective, nonlethal dose could not be established to treat this tumor. The severe bone marrow toxicity associated with this radionuclide may limit its usefulness in systemic radioimmunotherapy.

Molecular mimicry between HIV-1 gp41 and an astrocyte isoform of alpha-actinin

A 100-kDa astrocyte antigen previously shown to cross-react with a monoclonal antibody (MAb) generated against amino acids (aa) 598 to 609 of the transmembrane protein gp41 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 [HIV-1] has now been molecularly characterized and found to be an alpha-actinin (alpha-actinin) related protein. Western blot analyses of human astrocytoma cells fractionated by differential centrifugation and detergent phase separation showed that the antigen was membrane associated. The astrocyte protein was purified to apparent homogeneity by immunoaffinity chromatography. Amino acid analysis of three peptide fragments obtained by cleavage of the purified 100-kDa protein revealed sequence identities of 77, 83 and 100% to a non-muscle isoform of human alpha-actinin. In addition, the aa 598-609 sequence of gp41 recognized by MAb 781.4, and the aa 581-597 sequence recognized by another cross-reactive MAb 781.3, were 73% and 53% similar to regions of alpha-actinin. This molecular mimicry between gp41 and alpha-actinin was supported by antibody cross-reactivity in Western immunoblot and ELISA analyses. Both anti-gp41 and anti-alpha-actinin MAbs bind to the surface of the human astrocytoma cells as detected by a cell surface binding assay and immunofluorescence. Antibodies made against this immunodominant region of gp41 in the serum and CSF of HIV-infected individuals have access to astrocytes within the CNS. The identification of the astrocyte antigen as an alpha-actinin related protein will allow further work to determine how this immunological cross-reactivity could perturb astrocyte function and contribute to HIV neuropathology.

Mutations in the MSH3 gene preferentially lead to deletions within tracts of simple repetitive DNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Eukaryotic genomes contain tracts of DNA in which a single base or a small number of bases are repeated (microsatellites). Mutations in the yeast DNA mismatch repair genes MSH2, PMS1, and MLH1 increase the frequency of mutations for normal DNA sequences and destabilize microsatellites. Mutations of human homologs of MSH2, PMS1, and MLH1 also cause microsatellite instability and result in certain types of cancer. We find that a mutation in the yeast gene MSH3 that does not substantially affect the rate of spontaneous mutations at several loci increases microsatellite instability about 40-fold, preferentially causing deletions. We suggest that MSH3 has different substrate specificities than the other mismatch repair proteins and that the human MSH3 homolog (MRP1) may be mutated in some tumors with microsatellite instability.

Structural analysis of affinity maturation: the three-dimensional structures of complexes of an anti-nitrophenol antibody

Affinity maturation of the immune response to nitrophenol-containing antigens has been extensively investigated. Significant strides made during the past several years with the advent of PCR technology have provided a wealth of biochemical knowledge. Structural investigations of the phenomena have however been limited. We have determined the three-dimensional structure of the Fab fragment of 88C6/12, an anti-4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl acetic acid antibody complexed with the immunizing hapten and with a heteroclitic iodinated hapten. The crystallographic structure of the complexes reveals that the binding is stabilized by a number of hydrogen bonds and extensive van der Waals interactions between the hapten and the antibody. In addition, the Fab binding pocket contains a region of positive electrostatic potential well suited for interaction with the predominant resonance form of the nitrophenyl ring system. The observed heteroclicity towards the iodinated hapten is not a direct result of iodine-protein interactions, but results from the enhanced stability in the iodinated ring of the resonance form that binds the antibody. In addition this investigation provides a rationale for the strong preference for the substitution in the heavy chain from the germ-line gene encoded Trp 33 to Leu 33 in the mature anti-nitrophenol response.

Recovery of photosynthesis in 1-year-old needles of unfertilized and fertilized Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) during spring

Photosynthetic O(2) evolution and chlorophyll a fluorescence were measured in 1-year-old needles of unfertilized and fertilized trees of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) during recovery of photosynthesis from winter inhibition in northern Sweden. Measurements were made under laboratory conditions at 20 degrees C. In general, the CO(2)-saturated rate of O(2) evolution was higher in needles of fertilized trees than in needles of unfertilized trees over a wide range of incident photon flux densities. Furthermore, the maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem (PS) II, as indicated by the ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence (F(V)/F(M)) was higher in needles of fertilized trees than in needles of unfertilized trees. The largest differences in F(V)/F(M) between the two treatments occurred before the main recovery of photosynthesis from winter inhibition in late May. The rate of O(2) evolution was higher in needles of north-facing branches than in needles of south-facing branches in the middle of May. Simultaneous measurements of O(2) exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence indicated that differences in the rate of O(2) evolution between the two treatments were paralleled by differences in the rate of PS II electron transport determined by chlorophyll fluorescence. We suggest that, during recovery of photosynthesis from winter inhibition, the balance between carbon assimilation and PS II electron transport was maintained largely by adjustments in the nonphotochemical dissipation of excitation energy within PS II.

Schistosoma mansoni: molecular cloning and sequencing of the 200-kDa chemotherapeutic target antigen

Praziquantel is the drug of choice for human schistosomiasis. The efficacy of this drug is impaired in immune-deficient mice. However, transfer to B cell-depleted mice of a monoclonal antibody that recognizes a 200-kDa GPI-anchored glycoprotein of S. mansoni restores the effectiveness of praziquantel. In order to characterize this target antigen, we have isolated and sequenced cDNA clones encoding the 200-kDa protein. Three overlapping cDNA clones contained the complete nucleotide sequence. The sequences of five tryptic peptides from the native 200-kDa protein could be matched with regions in the amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the isolated clones. This deduced amino acid sequence differed from sequences available in six databases. Praziquantel exposes epitopes on the worm surface that are normally not exposed, and we have shown by immunofluorescent staining that the fusion protein encoded by one of our cDNA clones expresses epitopes that are exposed on the surface of praziquantel-treated worms.

Cross-reactivity of anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp41 antibodies with human astrocytes and astrocytoma cell lines

An antigen expressed by astrocytes in human brain tissue and by various human astrocytoma cell lines was shown to cross-react with a monoclonal antibody generated against amino acids (aa) 584 to 609 of the transmembrane protein gp41 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). This region is an immunodominant segment of gp41, and high levels of antibodies against this epitope have been detected in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid of HIV-infected individuals at all stages of HIV infection. Immunohistochemistry with this monoclonal antibody demonstrated the presence of a cross-reactive antigen in human brain tissue, with an increased frequency and intensity of staining in HIV-positive individuals when compared with HIV-negative controls. By using a panel of HIV-positive and -negative sera, we show that antibodies in HIV-positive serum specifically bound to the surfaces of human astrocytoma cells. HIV-positive sera depleted of antibodies recognizing gp41 aa 584 to 609 showed a significant diminution in cell surface binding. Conversely, the serum antibodies that bound to and were eluted from the aa 584 to 609 peptide also bound to the astrocyte cell surface. To identify the target antigen, the immunoreactivity of three astrocytoma cell lines was examined. By immunoprecipitation of metabolically labeled cell lysates and Western blot (immunoblot) analysis, we identified a protein of approximately 100 kDa as the target antigen. Cross-reactive antibodies between HIV proteins and astrocyte epitopes, such as this 100-kDa protein and others previously reported, suggests that an autoimmune response against these target antigens may disrupt the normal functions of astrocytes.

Developmentally regulated localization and phosphorylation of SmIrV1, a Schistosoma mansoni antigen with similarity to calnexin

Potential molecular targets of a protective humoral immune response against schistosomiasis have previously been identified based on their enhanced immunogenicity in mice vaccinated with irradiated cercaria as compared to chronically infected mice. One of these antigens, IrV1, has been molecularly cloned and its sequence shown to be similar to the molecular chaperone calnexin. In this investigation, we partially characterized IrV1 from different developmental stages of the schistosome. Immunoprecipitation studies with antibodies raised against a portion of recombinant IrV1 demonstrated its presence in cercaria, schistosomula, and adult worms with an apparent molecular mass on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of 90 kDa. There was an approximate 6-fold increase in protein expression level during the cercaria to schistosomula transformation. Consistent with a potential role as a molecular chaperone, IrV1 was associated with several metabolically labeled proteins in co-immunoprecipitation studies with the adult worm tegumental fraction. Similar to calnexin, IrV1 was metabolically labeled with 32P in adult worms on serine and threonine residues and was one of the major phosphoproteins of this stage. This phosphorylation was developmentally regulated and coincided with the transformation of cercaria into schistosomula. The localization was also stage-specific as IrV1 was transported from internal regions of cercaria to the outer tegumental layer of schistosomula. The presence of IrV1 on the surface of schistosomula, an unprecedented localization for this family of endoplasmic reticulum proteins, supports additional studies of the immunoprophylactic potential of this molecule.

Structural and functional similarities between synthetic HIV gp41 peptides and defensins

Synthetic peptides derived from the putative immunosuppressive region of HIV-1 gp41 were examined to identify the amino acids required for suppressive activity. The active sequence was similar to the pseudosubstrate regulatory peptide of protein kinase C and to a sequence from the cyclic immune peptides known as defensins. The activity of the gp41 peptides appeared to be dependent upon a structural conformation, possibly a looped motif like that found in defensins. This similarity to defensins, which can insert themselves into lipid bilayers, was further strengthened by demonstrating that gp41 peptides have the ability to associate with liposomes and lymphocyte membranes. These results suggest that the immunosuppressive region of gp41 may participate in the membrane interactions required for viral fusion and infectivity.

Schistosoma mansoni: immunolocalization of two different fucose-containing carbohydrate epitopes

We have used two monoclonal antibodies, 128C3/3 and 504B1, to immunolocalize their carbohydrate epitopes in different developmental stages of Schistosoma mansoni. Both epitopes contain fucose: mAb 128C3/3, as we have shown previously, recognizes fucose in a novel, possibly internal linkage (Levery et al. 1992) while mAb 504B1, as we show here, bound to the Le(x) epitope, which contains fucose alpha 1-->3 linked to N-acetyl-glucosamine. The tissue expression of these epitopes was strikingly different and both elicit an immune response in infected hosts. The mAb 128C3/3-defined epitope was exposed on the surface of all larval stages but not on adult worms; however, it was found in the excretory system of adult worms of both sexes. In contrast, surface expression of the Le(x) epitope was initiated after the transformation of cercariae to schistosomula and was maintained throughout the adult life in both sexes.

Schistosoma mansoni: Sm23 is a transmembrane protein that also contains a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor

Sm23, a surface protein of the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni, belongs to the family of "cysteine-rich, hydrophobic proteins," which are expressed on mammalian hematopoietic cells or tumor cells. Sm23 shares the highly conserved hydrophobicity profile of these proteins, which predicts four transmembrane segments, but is in addition linked to the membrane by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. Our results suggest that Sm23 uses both the potential transmembrane domains and the GPI anchor for membrane insertion: (a) Sm23 was not released from the surface after cleavage with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PIPLC). (b) In a Triton X-114 phase-separation system, native [3H]ethanolamine- or [35S]methionine-labeled Sm23 partitioned into the detergent phase. Upon removal of the GPI anchor by PIPLC, the majority of the molecules stayed in the detergent-phase as expected of a transmembrane protein. (c) When full-length recombinant Sm23 was transcribed and translated in vitro, the polypeptide chain was inserted into microsomal membranes: Sm23 stayed associated with the membranes when they were incubated with carbonate buffer at pH 11.5, and membrane bound Sm23 was protected from digestion with proteinase K. (d) Recombinant Sm23, when expressed in the baculovirus expression system, was transported to the surface of infected insect cells, and similarly to the native protein it was not released from these cells after cleavage with PIPLC.