Integration of monoclonal antibodies in quantitative immunoelectrophoresis by indirect immunoprecipitation

Molecular and immunological characterization of the highly conserved antigen 84 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae

Crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) has been used to develop a reference system for classifying mycobacterial antigens. The subsequent use of specific antibodies allowed further determination of antigens by molecular weight. The monoclonal antibody F126-2, originally raised against a 34-kDa antigen of Mycobacterium kansasii, reacted with antigen 84 (Ag84) in the CIE reference system for Mycobacterium bovis BCG and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. To characterize Ag84, we screened a lambda gt11 gene library from M. tuberculosis with antibody F126-2 and identified the encoding gene. The corresponding Mycobacterium leprae Ag84 gene was subsequently selected from a cosmid library, using the M. tuberculosis gene as a probe. Both genes were expressed as 34-kDa proteins in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant proteins indeed corresponded to Ag84 in the CIE reference system. The derived amino acid sequences of the M. tuberculosis and M. leprae proteins showed 85% identity, which indicates that Ag84 constitutes a group of highly conserved mycobacterial antigens. Antibodies of almost 60% of lepromatous leprosy patients responded to Ag84, indicating that the protein is highly immunogenic following infection in multibacillary leprosy.

Genetic and immunological analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis fibronectin-binding proteins

Recombinant phage clones, TB1 and TB2, were selected from a Mycobacterium tuberculosis lambda gt11 DNA expression library by screening with a polyclonal antiserum raised against the antigen 85 complex of Mycobacterium bovis BCG. Analysis of recombinant DNA inserts and expressed fusion proteins showed that two new genes had been isolated. The product of clone TB2 was identified as a member of the 30/31-kDa antigen 85 complex. Restriction enzyme analysis showed that this gene differs from previously cloned members of this antigen complex, with detailed serological analysis indicating that it may encode the 85C component. Antisera raised against the expressed product of clone TB1 recognized a 55-kDa protein in M. tuberculosis extracts. The 55-kDa protein also has fibronectin-binding activity and, like the 30/31-kDa family, is a prominent target of the antibody response in patients with mycobacterial disease. Although the clones were selected by using the same antiserum, detailed analysis by serology and by DNA hybridization showed that they represent two quite distinct types of fibronectin-binding activities expressed by M. tuberculosis. Further analysis of the fibronectin-binding antigens of M. tuberculosis may provide important insights into their role in mediating the interaction with the host immune system.