Comparative Evaluation of Low-Molecular-Mass Proteins fromMycobacterium tuberculosisIdentifies Members of the ESAT-6 Family as Immunodominant T-Cell Antigens

• DOI: 10.1128/iai.68.1.214-220.2000
• Publication Date: 2009-05-01T17:57:25Z
• Authors: Rikke Louise Vint...; Thomas Oettinger; Ida Rosenkrands; Pernille Ravn; Inger Brock; Susanne Jacobsen; Peter Andersen
• Keywords: ESAT-6; Immunodominance; Molecular mass

ABSTRACT Culture filtrate from Mycobacterium tuberculosis contains protective antigens of relevance for the generation a new antituberculosis vaccine. We have identified two previously uncharacterized M. proteins (TB7.3 and TB10.4) highly active low-mass fraction culture filtrate. The molecules were characterized, mapped in two-dimensional electrophoresis reference map short-term filtrate, compared with another recently protein, CFP10 (F. X. Berthet, P. B. Rasmussen, I. Rosenkrands, Andersen, Gicquel. Microbiology 144:3195–3203, 1998), well-described ESAT-6 antigen. Genetic analyses demonstrated that TB10.4 as well belongs to family proteins, whereas TB7.3 is low-molecular-mass protein outside this family. expressed Escherichia coli , their immunogenicity was tested cultures peripheral blood mononuclear cells human (TB) patients, bovis BCG-vaccinated donors, nonvaccinated donors. members, CFP10, very strongly recognized induced gamma interferon release at same level (CFP10) or an even higher (TB10.4) than ESAT-6. non-ESAT-6 member, TB7.3, comparison, much lower level. found distinguish TB patients donors is, together ESAT-6, interesting candidate diagnosis TB. striking immunodominance within discussed, hypotheses are presented explain targeting immune response during infection.