Molecular analysis of T and B cell repertoires in mice immunized with Opisthorchis viverrini antigens.

B10 mice were immunized with an Opisthorchis viverrini somatic extract and then their responses were analyzed. The antigenic fractions of the extract were separated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, electroblotted to nitrocellulose membranes and solubilized for use in lymphocyte culture. Antibody specificity was also visualized by immunoblotting using immunized mouse sera. The Mr of the main immunogenic fractions for T cells ranged from 28 to 46 kDa, whereas those recognized by antibodies were 45, 52, 56, 59, 65, 69, 75 and 81 kDa. The results indicate a striking difference in the antigenic recognition pattern of T and B cells which may be important for selecting antigen molecules for immunological studies of this trematode infection in man.