Plasma and bile antibodies of the teleost Trematomus bernacchii specific for the nematode Pseudoterranova decipiens

We investigated the occurrence of antibodies against protein antigens of th e nematode parasite Pseudoterranova decipiens in the plasma and bile of the Antarctic teleost Trematomus bernacchii. Three different P. decipiens prot ein solutions were prepared: excreted/secreted proteins from live larvae (E SP); surface-associated proteins obtained by mild extraction of larval bodi es (SAP); and cuticular soluble proteins recovered by extraction in strong reducing conditions (CSP). Using different immunoassays, these 3 preparatio ns were tested for their ability to bind fish antibody. As determined by EL ISA, the specific antibody binding activity was higher in SAP than in CSP. As determined by dot-blot immunoassay, the specific antigen binding activit y versus SAP was higher in bile than in plasma antibodies. A different numb er of antigenic components of SAP and ESP were identified by immunoblotting performed with plasma or bile antibodies. These results led to the conclus ion that T. bernacchii parasitism by nematodes involves plasma and bile ant i-parasite antibodies. Furthermore bile antibodies were found to be more re active and more heterogeneous than plasma.