ABSTRACT
A collectin-like protein (CLP) of the acute phase protein family that binds the polysaccharides mannan and alpha-1-6 dextran was isolated from the serum of pigs infected with Ascaris suum. A monoclonal antibody generated against this protein and used to characterize the CLP revealed on SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis that the protein had a molecular weight of approximately 48 kDa under reducing conditions and greater than 100 kDa under nonreducing conditions. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that the CLP bound to substances in the perienteric fluid of Ascaris suum (APF). Molecular weight fractionation of APF demonstrated that CLP binds primarily to APF substances of greater than 100 kDa. Binding of CLP to APF was partially blocked by phosphatidylinositol. This is the first report of a porcine CLP and the binding of a CLP to components of the common nematode Ascaris suum.
Subject(s)
Ascaris suum/immunology , Carrier Proteins/blood , Swine Diseases/blood , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal , Carrier Proteins/immunology , Collectins , Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel/veterinary , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/veterinary , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Swine , Swine Diseases/immunologyABSTRACT
A survey of 1,658 homebound and institutionalized persons suggested that about 7,000 chronically ill South Australians may need dental care and that such treatment is currently unavailable to the great majority of them.
