Abstract
A soluble extract of Plasmodium berghei was prepared from parasites freed from infected erythrocytes by saponin lysis. The extract was separated into 12 fractions by preparative disc electrophoresis, and the fractions were employed (1) to seek precipitins in hyperimmune rat serum, and (2) in the vaccination of rats. Species-specific antigens were identified in some of them. Two regions of the disc-electrophoretic column (Fractions 4-5 and 7-8) were regularly the most reactive in all systems tested. Thus, they reacted most frequently by precipitating with hyperimmune rat sera containing protective antibody, while other fractions were nonreactive or only rarely reactive. Antigens in these disc-electrophoretic regions were among those inducing precipitins in rats, though they were not the only ones to do so. These regions contained species-specific antigens, not shared with the noncross-protecting Plasmodium vinckei. Finally, fractions from these regions employed as vaccines were capable of inducing immunobiological effects: enhancement or protection in varying limited degrees.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 479-495 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | Experimental Parasitology |
Volume | 39 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 1976 |
Keywords
- Antigens
- Electrophoresis, preparative disc
- Hyperimmune rat serum
- Plasmodium berghei
- Plasmodium vinckei
- Precipitins
- Protection
- Rats
- Vaccination