Immunogenicity of the surface of filarial larvae (Dipetalonema viteae)

Changes in the surface ofDipetalonema viteae(Filarioidea) during its development as shown by comparative peptide mapping

“…However, changes in this parasite's cuticle have so far been indicated only by the observation of Weiss & Tanner (1981) who reported the occurrence of stage-dependent surface antigens of larvae. Precise knowledge of the macromolecules constituting the cuticle of parasitic nematodes is scarce and its surface composition is reported to vary considerably from species to species (Maizels et al 1982).…”

“…The latter plays an important role in hostr-parasite relationships, since immunological control of parasitic helminths depends mainly on the structure of the contact site with the host, namely the cuticle (Lumsden, 1975;Mackenzie, Preston & Ogilvie, 1978;Ogilvie, Philipp, Jungery, Maizels, Worms & Parkhouse, 1981;Maizels, Philipp & Ogilvie, 1982). The occurrence of stage-specific surface antigens as observed for larvae of Dipetalonema viteae (Filarioidea) by Weiss & Tanner (1981) could mean that the structure of the contact site changes during development into the adult worm. Stageand environment-dependent alterations of the composition of the cuticle are also indicated for other parasitic nematodes (Philipp, Parkhouse & Ogilvie, 1980;Maizels et al 1982;and very recently, Canlas & Piessens, 1984;Ortega-Pierres, Chayen, Clark & Parkhouse, 1984;Philipp & Rumjaneck, 1984).…”

Antibody responses to filarial infective larvae are not dominated by the IgG4 isotype

“…1983, Yates & Higashi 1986) or during the first moult in vivo (Eisenbeiss et al . 1994), and show significant levels of antibody binding to the surface of intact larval parasites (Weiss & Tanner 1981, Yates & Higashi 1985, Abraham & Grieve 1991, Bancroft & Devaney 1993). Thus, the infective L3 is the primary candidate for the development of a filariasis vaccine.…”

“…In a range of filarial parasites of animals, vaccination with radiation-attenuated third-stage larvae generates high levels of protection (Oothuman et al 1979, Denham 1980, Storey & Al-Mukhtar 1982, Yates & Higashi 1985, Lucius et al 1991, Weil et al 1992, and similar immunization can be attained by repeated infection with normal larvae (Denham et al 1983, 1992, Eisenbeiss, Apfel & Meyer 1994, or by chemotherapeutically abbreviating infection before the patent stage (Grieve et al 1988). In some of these systems, immunized animals kill L3 shortly after entry (Denham et al 1983, Yates & Higashi 1986 or during the first moult in vivo (Eisenbeiss et al 1994), and show significant levels of antibody binding to the surface of intact larval parasites (Weiss & Tanner 1981, Yates & Higashi 1985, Abraham & Grieve 1991. Thus, the infective L3 is the primary candidate for the development of a filariasis vaccine.…”

Monoclonal Antibodies as Investigative Tools in Onchocerciasis

“…For example, the immune response to surface antigens is clearly host-dependent; mice but not hamsters recognize the surface of D. viteaelarvae [12]. Serum antibodies to a major surface component (20,000 daltons) of adult O. volvulus have been demonstrated in humans with onchocerciasis [13], but several attempts to generate monoclonal antibodies in mice with use of this purified surface antigen for immunization have failed (Dr. R. M. E. Parkhouse, personal communication).…”