Serology of mycobacteria: characterization of antigens recognized by monoclonal antibodies.

Analysis of the antibody response to mycobacterial extracts has identified a limited set of proteins that are recognized as immunodominant in the BALB/c strain of mice. Detailed characterization has revealed that several of these antigens are homologues of proteins known to be induced in response to environmental stress stimuli in other prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell types. It is proposed that differential gene expression may play a role in determining which antigens are recognized during infection and that highly conserved stress proteins could be involved in generation of autoimmune responses.