Nematode surface coat (SC) proteins and excreted–secreted
products (E–S) are likely to play important roles in the
host–parasite interaction and considerable similarities can be found
in SC proteins and E–S products from certain plant
and animal parasitic nematodes. Monoclonal antibodies raised to E–S
products of plant-parasitic nematodes were shown
to cross-react with E–S products and the surface coats of the animal
parasites Trichinella spiralis and Haemonchus contortus.
Most of the antibodies recognized carbohydrate epitopes but the activity
of 2 MAbs (IACR–CCNj.2a.15 and IACR-Misec.8D.3)
which recognized proteic epitopes in these nematodes were further characterized.
Antibody 2a.15 recognized
the SC and oral exudate of Meloidogyne incognita, T. spiralis
and H. contortus. This antigen was also
immunolocalized in the lining of the oesophagus and gut and in the exudate
present during ecdysis of H. contortus L3. Antibody
8D.3 reacted with the SC of these nematodes on cryosections but on live
nematodes the immunofluorescence was very
patchy and was shed from the nematode SC.