CHARACTERIZATION OF ANTIGENS FROM ASPERGILLUS-FUMIGATUS .2. FRACTIONATION AND ELECTROPHORETIC, IMMUNOLOGICAL, AND BIOLOGIC ACTIVITY

Abstract

Mycelial extracts of A. fumigatus grown in completely synthetic medium were fractionated by precipitation with (NH4)2SO4 ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The fractions were characterized chemically, by analytic polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and by tests for serologic and biologic activity. The distribution of the antigens in the fractions was determined by double diffusion in gel and fused-rocket immunoelectrophoresis. Activity greater than that of the parent mycelial extract serologically, in guniea pig skin tests, and in in vitro lymphocyte transformation was observed with 1 fraction that was found in the 75% (NH4)2SO4-precipitable portion and was eluted early by gel filtration. Another (NH4)2SO4-precipitable component and 1 that was not precipitable at 75% (NH4)2SO4, but was firmly bound by ion-exchange columns, had activity equal to unfractionated mycelial extract. These fractions were also active by a radioallergosorbent test for Ig[immunoglobulin]E. A carbohydrate component comprising almost 40% of mycelial extract was devoid of any immunologic activity.