Production and characterization of genus and species specific monoclonal antibodies against surface tegumental antigens of Schistosoma mekongi.

A panel of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) against freeze-thaw surface tegumental antigens of Schistosoma mekongi were produced from naturally infected BALB/c mice. In this study, we have characterized two MoAbs which have different antigenic specificity for S. mekongi, S. japonicum and S. mansoni. The target epitopes of these two hybridoma antibodies are contained in the M(r) 38 kDa (designated Sme 38) and M(r) 97 kDa (designated Sme 97) proteins of adult worms as analysed by immunoblotting. The Sme 38 epitope was genus-specific, since it is also detectable in S. japonicum and S. mansoni. The Sme 97 was not detected in S. japonicum and S. mansoni, therefore it is considered as species-specific epitope. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed the presence of Sme 38 epitope in the surface tegument, the tegumental cells lying underneath the muscle layer and gut surface. The Sme 97 epitope was detectable only in the surface tegumental area.