Studies on the Immunoblot Characterization of Clonorchis sinensis Worm Antigens at Carly Development Stages

Immunoblot 법을 이용한 간흡충항원(肝吸蟲抗原)의 발육단계별(發育段階別) 항원성분석(抗原性分析)에 관한 연구(硏究)

Serodiagnosis of Clonorchis sinensis infections will probably be a first choice tool for screening of clonorchiasis in a future because of increasing difficulties in collection and examination of stools. The sensitive test such as ELISA can he used effectively. However there are some limitations in serological diagnosis for the detection of serum antibody. One of the major problems is the non-specificity of the antigens which produce cross reaction with other helminthic infection sera. To solve this problem. many investigators have tried to purify the antigens used. In this study, we determined the antigenic profile of the crude saline extract antigen of C. sinensis at early developmental stage based on SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting techniques for the purpose of understanding the nature of C. sinensis worm antigen The following results were obtained : 1) The SDS-PAGE showed many protein hands ranging from 10Kd to 91Kd relative molecular weight. Among them, 66, 46, 40, 33, 27, 24, 16, 14 and 10Kd bands were observed as a principle bands. The protein components of C. sinensis changed chronologically during their early developmental period. 44Kd band was stained unclearly in antigen of 2 weeks worm, but changed to concentrated state in antigen of 5 weeks worm. 35Kd band was found in antigen of 2 weeks worm, however this band was disappeared in antigen of 5 weeks worm. 22Kd band also lost its staining property gradually. 2) In spite of differences in antigenic profile, there was no differences in the data obtained by microplate ELISA using each antigen preparation. Absorbance value began to rise in between 2 to 3 weeks after infection. 3) By EITB. serum antibody recognized major protein bands with molecular weight of 91, 85, 63, 46, 40, 33, 24, 14 and 10Kd hand respectively. Among them 66, 33, 17 and 14Kd bands were observed as non-specific band because they reacted even in normal control sera. Generally, gradual increase of positive reactions were observed as the infection period of C. sinensis was prolonged. In other hand, the reaction of 10Kd hand did not occurred when 26th week sera was tested. 4) The positive reactions using antigens of 2 weeks worm, especially on 40 and 24Kd bands, were most strong and sharply demarcated compared to those of 3~5 weeks worm antigen.