Application of monoclonal antibodies to detect intraocular mycoplasma antigens in Mycoplasma arthritidis-infected Sprague-Dawley rats

Abstract

Sprague-Dawley rats infected with Mycoplasma arthritidis by tail vein inoculation develop extensive disseminated joint inflammation, frequently accompanied by conjunctivitis and anterior uveitis. The intraocular inflammation is apparently directed at mycoplasmas localized within the stroma of the ciliary body, which have been detected with monoclonal antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence. The monoclonal antibodies are directed against an antigenic determinant on the enzyme arginine deiminase isolated from M. arthritidis, but they do not react with the same enzyme derived from Mycoplasma hominis. The antigen bound by the monoclonal antibodies can also be detected by immunofluorescence in M. arthritidis-infected tissue cultures and is not lost after glutaraldehyde fixation or paraffin-embedding procedures. The value in the application of monoclonal antibodies reactive with arginine deiminase lies in the fact that although this enzyme may be found in mycoplasmas and several other species of bacteria it is not a normal constituent of mammalian tissues.

Circulating and localized immune complexes in experimental mycoplasma-induced arthritis-associated ocular inflammation

“…We have previously described the isolation of viable mycoplasmas from enucleated eyes and ocular exudates of M. arthritidis-infected rodents (29,33). It is therefore possible that intraocular complex deposits include viable mycoplasmas, capable of survival and reproduction.…”

“…The immune response of rats infected with M. arthritidis includes the production of complementfixing and metabolism-inhibiting antibodies, but growthinhibiting or rheumatoid factors have not been found (37)(38)(39). Antigenic mimicry, specific tissue interactions, and immune complex involvement have been proposed as factors contributing to the pathogenicity of M. arthritidis (31)(32)(33).…”

Uveitis associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae meningitis

“…The mechanism by which Mycoplasma infection may cause uveitis is unknown. Direct invasion of M. athritidis into ocular chambers has been postulated in Sprague‐Dawley rats (Thirkill et al 1983). Experimentally, direct inoculation of the anterior chamber of rabbits with M. pneumoniae as well as a variant of M. pulmonis has been demonstrated to cause anterior uveitis (Pavan‐Langston 1969).…”

“…Experimentally, direct inoculation of the anterior chamber of rabbits with M. pneumoniae as well as a variant of M. pulmonis has been demonstrated to cause anterior uveitis (Pavan‐Langston 1969). Intravenous inoculation of rats with Mycoplasma arthritidis has also been demonstrated to cause anterior uveitis (Thirkill et al 1983). It is possible that a similar phenomenon may occur in humans as a result of systemic hematogenous dissemination of Mycoplasma.…”

Production and characterization of three monoclonal antibodies to Candida albicans proteins

“…Monoclonal antibodies have been produced against a vast array of microorganisms, ranging from viruses and bacteria to fungi and multicellular parasites (1,2,10,11,15,17,18).…”