RESUMO
For the detection of the synthesis in vitro of anti-Mycobacterium leprae antibodies in various tissues of leprosy patients, biopsy specimens of skin lesions, nasal mucosa, larynx, lymph nodes, and bone marrow were cultured in a medium containing 14C-labeled lysine and isoleucine. The culture fluids were analyzed by crossed immunoelectrophoresis with intermediate gel and autoradiography. The results show that synthesis of anti-M. leprae antibodies occurs at the investigated sites of leprosy patients and that the specificities of the synthesized antibodies differ between sites in individual patients. It is conceivable that these antibodies play a role in the local defense against M. leprae.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antibacterianos/biossíntese , Especificidade de Anticorpos , Mycobacterium leprae/imunologia , Antígenos de Bactérias/imunologia , Autorradiografia , Medula Óssea/imunologia , Técnicas de Cultura , Humanos , Imunoeletroforese Bidimensional , Imunoglobulinas/biossíntese , Laringe/imunologia , Linfonodos/imunologia , Mucosa Nasal/imunologia , Pele/imunologiaRESUMO
To demonstrate local synthesis of anti-Mycobacterium leprae antibodies, biopsies from skin lesions of leprosy patients were cultured in vitro in a medium containing 14C-labeled lysine and isoleucine, and the culture fluids were analyzed by crossed immunoelectrophoresis with intermediate gel and autoradiography. The results show that anti-M. leprae antibodies were synthesized in vitro in the biopsies from the skin lesions of leprosy patients and that the specificity of the locally produced antibodies varied from patient to patient.