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. 1995 Jan;63(1):88–93. doi: 10.1128/iai.63.1.88-93.1995

Fibronectin-binding antigen 85 and the 10-kilodalton GroES-related heat shock protein are the predominant TH-1 response inducers in leprosy contacts.

P Launois 1, M N N'Diaye 1, J L Cartel 1, I Mane 1, A Drowart 1, J P Van Vooren 1, J L Sarthou 1, K Huygen 1
PMCID: PMC172961  PMID: 7806388

Abstract

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 27 healthy leprosy contacts were analyzed for lymphoproliferation and TH-1 cytokine secretion (interleukin-2 and gamma interferon) in response to heat shock proteins with molecular masses of 65, 18, and 10 kDa from Mycobacterium leprae and the 30-32-kDa antigen 85 (Ag 85) from Mycobacterium bovis BCG. Cells from 18 and 19 of 19 lepromin-positive contacts proliferated or produced TH-1 cytokines in response to the M. leprae 10-kDa protein and to Ag 85, respectively. Limiting-dilution analysis for two lepromin-positive contacts indicated that about one-third of M. leprae-reactive T cells displayed specificity to the M. leprae 10-kDa protein and Ag 85. The M. leprae 65- and 18-kDa proteins were less potent TH-1 response inducers: gamma interferon and interleukin-2 could be measured in 14 and 19 lepromin-positive contacts, respectively. In contrast, very low or undetectable proliferative and cytokine responses were found for 8 lepromin-negative contacts. Our data demonstrate that the fibronectin-binding Ag 85 and the 10-kDa GroES homolog are powerful mycobacterial TH-1 response inducers in the vast majority of lepromin-positive contacts and suggest that they might be valuable candidates for a future subunit vaccine.

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Selected References

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