Fine specificity of the genetically controlled immune response to native and recombinant gp15/400 (polyprotein allergen) of Brugia malayi.

Polyprotein allergens are a family of structurally homologous molecules from parasitic nematodes which induce specific immunoglobulin E in infected individuals. We show here that both H-2 and non-H-2 factors determine the ability of mice to generate T- and B-cell responses to the filarial polyprotein allergen (Brugia malayi gp15/400). Further, H-2 and non-H-2 genes can complement one another to overcome nonresponsiveness to this molecule. However, these genetic restrictions govern only responses to the native glycoprotein and all strains of mice respond equivalently when immunized with a recombinant polypeptide. Overlapping fragments of gp15/400 were constructed to compare the T-cell and antibody responses to native versus recombinant gp15/400 in responder (BALB/c H-2d) and nonresponder (B10.D2 H-2d, CBA H-2k, and BALB.K H-2k) strains. BALB/c mice generated T-cell responses to the same fragment (positions 89 to 133 and 1 to 21) whether immunized with native or recombinant material, although the antibody responses differed in fine specificity, H-2k mice, unresponsive to the native molecule, generated T cells responsive to the centrally located peptide (positions 57 to 100) only when immunized with the recombinant. Antibody responses in H-2k mice were directed at the peptide (positions 11 to 67) which is glycosylated in the native molecule. Our findings suggest that recognition of gp15/400 is affected by modifications that occur in the parasite but are absent when the molecule is produced in bacteria. This study provides a detailed evaluation of the immune response to an important nematode antigen as a start to the unraveling of the complex interaction of these multicellular parasites with mammalian hosts.