National Institute of Animal Health (NIAH)

Topics in Animal Health Research 2005

01. Development of recombinant antigens for the diagnosis of infections with Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis

Japanese

  Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) genomic library expressed in Escherichia coli was screened for the identification of novel interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) inducing antigens by the use of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from experimentally-infected cattle. Two recombinant proteins, Map39 and Map41, were produced that were based on nucleotide sequences obtained from two positive clones induced by IFN-γ in PBMC. These recombinant proteins significantly elicited IFN-γ production in PBMC from cattle infected with Map. The addition of anti-bovine interleukin10 monoclonal antibody enhanced the IFN-γ response against the recombinant proteins. Map39 and Map41 are members of the PPE protein family of Map. The PCR cross-reaction test indicated that M. avium subsp. avium also possessed similar PPE family protein genes, but no cross-reactions were observed in the other mycobacterial species tested. Map39 and Map41 may be useful as diagnostic antigens for Map infections.
(Research Team for Paratuberculosis, TEL +81-29-838-7857)

Reference:

Nagata et al. (2005). Infect. Immun. 73:3778-3782.

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