IngentaConnect Cross-reactivity of anti-galactocerebroside autoantibodies with a...

Authors: Girard, M.; Bisser, S.¹; Buscher, P.²; Bouteille, B.¹; Preud'Homme, J.-L.³; Jauberteau, M.-O.⁴

Source: Clinical & Experimental Immunology, Volume 119, Number 3, March 2000 , pp. 516-522(7)

Abstract:

Pathogenic mechanisms of the demyelinating encephalopathy featuring the nervous phase of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) are largely unknown. They might include autoimmune disorders. A variety of autoantibodies is detected during the disease and we have previously evidenced anti-galactocerebroside (GalC) antibodies in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients in the nervous stage (stage II) of HAT. We now show that anti-GalC antibodies recognize an antigen located on the parasite membrane and common to different strains of trypanosomes. By using affinity chromatography with a rabbit anti-GalC antiserum, a 52-kD proteolipid was isolated from the membrane of Trypanosoma brucei (T. b.) brucei AnTat 1.9, AnTat 1.1E, and T. b. rhodesiense Etat 1.2/R and Etat 1.2/S. Antibodies directed against this antigen were found in the CSF from patients with nervous stage HAT. These CSF also contained anti-GalC antibodies and adsorption with the proteolipid decreased anti-GalC reactivity. Immunization of mice with this antigen induced the production of antibodies which cross-reacted with GalC but no protection from experimental infection with T. b. brucei. These data support the hypothesis that anti-GalC antibodies detected in the CSF from HAT patients might be induced by molecular mimicry with a parasite antigen.

Keywords: galactocerebrosides; autoantibodies; molecular mimicry; Trypanosoma brucei

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2249.2000.01166.x

Affiliations: 1: Institute of Tropical Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Limoges, Laboratories of Immunology 2: Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Antwerpen, Belgium 3: University Hospital, Poitiers), France, and 4: University Hospital, Limoges and

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Cross-reactivity of anti-galactocerebroside autoantibodies with a Trypanosoma brucei proteolipidic epitope