N. Dhiman et al., IMMUNOPROPHYLACTIC STUDIES ON CELL-WALL ASSOCIATED PROTEINS OF MYCOBACTERIUM-TUBERCULOSIS H37RA, Journal of Biosciences, 22(1), 1997, pp. 13-21
The cell wall protein peptidoglycan complex (CW-PPC) of Mycobacterium
tuberculosis H37Ra was isolated through sequential extraction of lipid
s, carbohydrates and soluble proteins, CW-PPC emulsified in FIA was fo
und to induce significant protection in mice against challenge with LD
50 dose of M. tuberculosis H(37)Rv. To identify the immunoprotective c
omponents of CW-PPC, the proteins in avid association with peptidoglca
n were dissociated by chemical treatment with trifluoromethanesulthoni
c acid (CF3CO3H): anisole (2:1), Immunoreactivity of total (CW-Pr) as,
yell as its component proteins i.e., 71, 60 and 45 kDa proteins of cel
l wall was studied in animals immunized with CW-Pr-FIA, The 71 kDa pro
tein was found to be most immunoreactive giving higher T-cell sensitiz
ation and humoral responses, Further, immunization of mice with 71 kDa
-FIA demonstrated enhanced T- and B-cell responses, Mice immunized wit
h 71 kDa-FIA gave significantly higher protection (P less than or equa
l to 0.05) against intravenous challenge with LD50 dose of M. tubercul
osis H37RV, than BCG immunized animals, The results indicate the poten
tial of 71 kDa cell wall protein as a suitable candidate for Cthe subu
nit vaccine.