A 18.5 KDA PROTEIN - AN INTERESTING ANTIG EN OF BRUCELLA

In this study a protein component of Brucella abortus was studied. It was analized by polyacrylamide-SDS gels, transfered and isolated from nitrocellulose membranes, the aminoterminal sequenced and its capacity to induce cell mediated immune response evaluated. The ability to sti mulate T cells was evaluated by blast transformation and lymphokine pr oduction. The results show that the protein studied is a 18.5 kDa pept ide, free of LPS and nucleic acids. By amino-terminal sequencing analy sis, it corresponds to copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD). T he in vitro stimulation of sensitized lymph node cells with SOD Cu/Zn induces an important increase in the DNA synthesis, and the lymphokine production profile is characteristic of TH-1 cells expressing high le vels of gamma interferon, moderated level of interleukin-2 and no inte rleukin-4. According to these results, we can conclude that SOD Cu/Zn is a promising immunogen, that may be used to induce a protective cell ular immune response against Brucella.