Pulmonary immune responses to Nippostrongylus brasiliensis: isotype-specific antibodies in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids of rats

Abstract

Larvae of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis have an obligatory migratory phase through the lungs of rats during their development. Since earlier studies have shown that this migration is associated with accumulation of Fc receptor bearing effector cells in the bronchoalveolar spaces, we have analysed antibody reactivity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) during development of immune responses against N. brasiliensis. The development of parasite specific antibodies in bronchoalveolar spaces was similar to that in the serum, but was of a lower titre. A secondary infection resulted in an anamnestic response. Isotype analysis showed that IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies were present in BALF and they recognized several proteins of the parasite ranging from 16-290 kDa. Immunoblot analysis on two-dimensional electrophoretic separated parasitic proteins identified stage specific differences in the BALF antibody responses. IgG was the predominant class of antibody in BALF and when compared with serum, IgM antibody responses were weak. Thus, infection with N. brasiliensis resulted in the appearance of site-, stage- and isotype-specific antibody responses in the lungs of rats.