Antigenic specificities of Pseudomonas aeruginosa alkaline protease and elastase defined by human T cell clones. 1986

M J Parmely, and R T Horvat

Virulent strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa derive their pathogenicity, in part, from their secretion of two proteolytic enzymes, alkaline protease (AP) and elastase (E). Human T lymphocytes specific for AP and E can be detected in the blood of immune donors and have afforded the opportunity to characterize the antigenicity of these proteins. To accomplish this goal, we have recently selected 68 human T cell clones from five different Pseudomonas-immune donors and determined their fine specificities. Fifty-five (81%) were found to be protease specific, demonstrating the immunogenicity of the exoenzymes in humans. These clones defined five AP and three E specificities and suggested the existence of at least five allomorphic determinants expressed on the proteases of various Pseudomonas strains. Limiting dilution analysis confirmed a number of antigenic relationships suggested by the long-term T cell clones and revealed that T cells specific for allomorphic protease determinants were at least as frequent in the blood of immune donors as were T cells committed to conserved determinants. Thus, both primary and long-term human T cell clones showed specificity patterns that distinguished proteases from different Pseudomonas strains. These observations describe a heretofore unknown antigenic system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that should assist in defining the nature and specificity of Pseudomonas immunity in humans.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008213 Lymphocyte Activation Morphologic alteration of small B LYMPHOCYTES or T LYMPHOCYTES in culture into large blast-like cells able to synthesize DNA and RNA and to divide mitotically. It is induced by INTERLEUKINS; MITOGENS such as PHYTOHEMAGGLUTININS, and by specific ANTIGENS. It may also occur in vivo as in GRAFT REJECTION. Blast Transformation,Blastogenesis,Lymphoblast Transformation,Lymphocyte Stimulation,Lymphocyte Transformation,Transformation, Blast,Transformation, Lymphoblast,Transformation, Lymphocyte,Activation, Lymphocyte,Stimulation, Lymphocyte
D010196 Pancreatic Elastase A protease of broad specificity, obtained from dried pancreas. Molecular weight is approximately 25,000. The enzyme breaks down elastin, the specific protein of elastic fibers, and digests other proteins such as fibrin, hemoglobin, and albumin. EC 3.4.21.36. Elastase,Pancreatopeptidase,Elastase I,Pancreatic Elastase I,Elastase I, Pancreatic,Elastase, Pancreatic
D010450 Endopeptidases A subclass of PEPTIDE HYDROLASES that catalyze the internal cleavage of PEPTIDES or PROTEINS. Endopeptidase,Peptide Peptidohydrolases
D011550 Pseudomonas aeruginosa A species of gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacteria commonly isolated from clinical specimens (wound, burn, and urinary tract infections). It is also found widely distributed in soil and water. P. aeruginosa is a major agent of nosocomial infection. Bacillus aeruginosus,Bacillus pyocyaneus,Bacterium aeruginosum,Bacterium pyocyaneum,Micrococcus pyocyaneus,Pseudomonas polycolor,Pseudomonas pyocyanea
D002999 Clone Cells A group of genetically identical cells all descended from a single common ancestral cell by mitosis in eukaryotes or by binary fission in prokaryotes. Clone cells also include populations of recombinant DNA molecules all carrying the same inserted sequence. (From King & Stansfield, Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed) Clones,Cell, Clone,Cells, Clone,Clone,Clone Cell
D003429 Cross Reactions Serological reactions in which an antiserum against one antigen reacts with a non-identical but closely related antigen. Cross Reaction,Reaction, Cross,Reactions, Cross
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000939 Epitopes Sites on an antigen that interact with specific antibodies. Antigenic Determinant,Antigenic Determinants,Antigenic Specificity,Epitope,Determinant, Antigenic,Determinants, Antigenic,Specificity, Antigenic
D000942 Antigens, Bacterial Substances elaborated by bacteria that have antigenic activity. Bacterial Antigen,Bacterial Antigens,Antigen, Bacterial
D012697 Serine Endopeptidases Any member of the group of ENDOPEPTIDASES containing at the active site a serine residue involved in catalysis. Serine Endopeptidase,Endopeptidase, Serine,Endopeptidases, Serine

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