Common epitopes between mycobacterial and certain host tissue antigens.

Abstract

Monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) produced against a sonicated antigen extract of Mycobacterium bovis were examined for their ability to bind to 10 common tissue antigens. The binding patterns of MoAb MB2, MB3, MB7, MB11 and MB13 indicated that each recognized different epitopes. MoAb MB5 and MB17 failed to bind to any of the tissue antigens. MB3 reacted strongly with normal tissue from M. bovis infected guinea pigs and ferrets but there was no reaction with MB5 and MB17. These specificities were confirmed by reciprocal absorption experiments. It is concluded that Mycobacterium species contain epitopes that are also present in host tissue antigens.