Lectin-binding characteristics of Brugia pahangi microfilariae.

The binding of FITC-CON-A, SBA, DBA, WGA, PNA and RCA120 to microfilariae of B. pahangi and D. immitis was investigated. Sheathed uterine, peritoneal or blood microfilariae of B. pahangi bound only WGA on the surface of the sheath. The cuticle of D. immitis microfilariae and of artificially exsheathed B. pahangi microfilariae failed to bind any of the lectins tested. Binding of WGA to the sheath surface was specific and was inhibited in the presence of the complementary saccharide, N-acetyl glucosamine. WGA also penetrated the sheath of B. pahangi microfilariae. Treatment of peritoneal B. pahangi microfilariae with certain proteases exposed additional binding sites for CON-A, SBA, DBA, PNA and RCA120 but not for UEA.