Treponema pallidum Periplasmic and Membrane Proteins Are Recognized by Circulating and Skin CD4+ T Cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Histologic and serologic studies suggest the induction of local and systemic Treponema pallidum-specific CD4+ T-cell responses to T. pallidum infection. We hypothesized that T. pallidum-specific CD4+ T cells are detectable in blood and in the skin rash of secondary syphilis and persist in both compartments after treatment.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected from 67 participants were screened by interferon-γ (IFN-γ) ELISPOT response to T. pallidum sonicate. T. pallidum-reactive T-cell lines from blood and skin were probed for responses to 89 recombinant T. pallidum antigens. Peptide epitopes and HLA class II restriction were defined for selected antigens.

Results

We detected CD4+ T-cell responses to T. pallidum sonicate ex vivo. Using T. pa

SUBMITTER: Reid TB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11326851 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature