Human dermatophyte-responsive T-cell lines recognize cross-reactive antigens associated with mannose-rich glycoproteins

• Published in: Experimental dermatology Vol. 3; no. 2; p. 66
• Main Authors: MacCarthy, K G, Blake, J S, Johnson, K L, Dahl, M V, Kalish, R S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Denmark 01.04.1994
• Subjects: Adult; Antigens, Fungal - immunology; Arthrodermataceae - immunology; Arthrodermataceae - physiology; Cell Division - drug effects; Cell Division - physiology; Cell Line; Cross Reactions; Epidermophyton - immunology; Glycoproteins - chemistry; Glycoproteins - immunology; Humans; Male; Mannans - immunology; Mannans - pharmacology; Mannose - analysis; Microsporum - immunology; Middle Aged; Phenotype; T-Lymphocytes - cytology; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; Thymidine - metabolism; Trichophyton - immunology; Tritium
• ISSN: 0906-6705
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0625.1994.tb00049.x

Resistance to dermatophyte infections has been shown to be mediated in part by T lymphocytes. The dermatophyte antigens recognized by human T lymphocytes and their degree of cross-reactivity were analyzed. Dermatophyte-responsive T-cell lines were generated by in vitro sensitization to crude fungal extracts obtained from Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton tonsurans, Microsporum canis and Epidermophyton floccosum. Proliferation was measured by incorporation of 3H-thymidine. The human T-cell lines responded to fungal extracts derived from these various dermatophyte species, demonstrating the recognition of cross-reactive antigens by human T cells. However, the T cells were dermatophyte-specific as they did not respond to herpes antigen, nor did herpes-specific T cells derived from the same donors respond to dermatophyte antigens. The mannose-rich glycoprotein fraction (mannan) isolated from T. rubrum was able to induce proliferation of T-cell lines generated by stimulation with various fungal extracts. Furthermore, a T-cell line generated by stimulation with mannan derived from T. rubrum proliferated in response to extracts from various fungal species, indicating that a major cross-reactive dermatophyte T-cell antigen was present in the mannose-rich glycoprotein fraction.