Abstract
The mycobacteria are one of a number of genera making up the aerobic Actinomycetales. Their antigens demonstrable by immuno-precipitation methods can be divided into four groups. The group i antigens, common to all mycobacterial species, cross-react with their counterparts in animal cells, largely derived from mitochondria. Notable amongst these antigens are the heat-shock, or stress, proteins and possibly bacterial sugars. Tests of cell-mediated immunity show that people can be separated by their responsiveness in skin-test, or lymphocyte proliferation techniques, into four categories of responders. Category 1 individuals respond to all mycobacterial reagents through recognition of the group i antigens. Many chronic diseases are associated with a lack of cell-mediated responsiveness to the group i antigens, and have a raised antibody titre to them. This reflects a predominance of T helper 2 activity and reduced T helper 1 responsiveness as part of the pathogenesis of their diseases, which include chronic bacterial, viral and parasitic infections, allergies, autoimmunities and neoplasms. Packaged together, the group i antigens and the cell-wall adjuvants of selected aerobic Actinomycetales make potent immuno- modulatory reagents. An example is heat-killed Mycobacterium vaccae, useful in both prevention and treatment of disease. Treatment with such reagents results in alleviation of disease, restoration of cellular responsiveness to the common mycobacterial antigens and a decrease in antibody titres to them. This new approach to treatment for such a wide range of diseases has few disadvantageous side effects and can accompany other non-immunosuppressive therapies.
Keywords: Common antigens, heat shock/stress proteins, immunotherapy, actinomycetales, Mycobacterium vaccae
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: The Common Mycobacterial Antigens and their Importance in the Treatment of Disease
Volume: 15 Issue: 11
Author(s): John Stanford, Cynthia Stanford, Gerard Stansby, Oscar Bottasso, Georges Bahr and John Grange
Affiliation:
Keywords: Common antigens, heat shock/stress proteins, immunotherapy, actinomycetales, Mycobacterium vaccae
Abstract: The mycobacteria are one of a number of genera making up the aerobic Actinomycetales. Their antigens demonstrable by immuno-precipitation methods can be divided into four groups. The group i antigens, common to all mycobacterial species, cross-react with their counterparts in animal cells, largely derived from mitochondria. Notable amongst these antigens are the heat-shock, or stress, proteins and possibly bacterial sugars. Tests of cell-mediated immunity show that people can be separated by their responsiveness in skin-test, or lymphocyte proliferation techniques, into four categories of responders. Category 1 individuals respond to all mycobacterial reagents through recognition of the group i antigens. Many chronic diseases are associated with a lack of cell-mediated responsiveness to the group i antigens, and have a raised antibody titre to them. This reflects a predominance of T helper 2 activity and reduced T helper 1 responsiveness as part of the pathogenesis of their diseases, which include chronic bacterial, viral and parasitic infections, allergies, autoimmunities and neoplasms. Packaged together, the group i antigens and the cell-wall adjuvants of selected aerobic Actinomycetales make potent immuno- modulatory reagents. An example is heat-killed Mycobacterium vaccae, useful in both prevention and treatment of disease. Treatment with such reagents results in alleviation of disease, restoration of cellular responsiveness to the common mycobacterial antigens and a decrease in antibody titres to them. This new approach to treatment for such a wide range of diseases has few disadvantageous side effects and can accompany other non-immunosuppressive therapies.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Stanford John, Stanford Cynthia, Stansby Gerard, Bottasso Oscar, Bahr Georges and Grange John, The Common Mycobacterial Antigens and their Importance in the Treatment of Disease, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2009; 15 (11) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161209787846838
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161209787846838 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
The Clinical Evaluation of Chronic Cough
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Is there any Additional Prognostic Value of Central Blood Pressure Wave Forms Beyond Peripheral Blood Pressure?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Targeting TNF-Alpha in HIV-1 Infection
Current Drug Targets Neuroinflammation in Sepsis: Sepsis Associated Delirium
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Aquaporin-1 and Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers as Pharmacological Targets in Diabetic Atherosclerosis
Current Drug Targets Monoclonal Antibodies in the Treatment of Neuroimmunological Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Allosteric Modulators for Adenosine Receptors: An Alternative to the Orthosteric Ligands
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Roles of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells in Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Rheumatological Diseases in HIV Infection
Current Rheumatology Reviews Inhibitors of Nitric Oxide Synthase: What's up and What's Next?
Current Enzyme Inhibition The Rapidly Changing Composition of the Global Street Drug Supply and its Effects on High-risk Groups for COVID-19
Current Psychopharmacology Rheumatoid Nodules and Lung
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Acute Severe Colitis: Infliximab and/or Cyclosporine?
Current Drug Targets Preterm Birth: Long Term Cardiovascular and Renal Consequences
Current Pediatric Reviews New Approaches in the Management of Septic Shock
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents Accessing the Blood-Brain Barrier to Treat Brain Disorders
Current Nanomedicine Carotid Artery Disease: Current Concepts on Endothelial Dysfunction and Matrix Remodeling
Current Drug Therapy Dietary Approaches and Alternative Therapies for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Current Nutrition & Food Science A<sub>3</sub> Adenosine Receptor: A Plausible Therapeutic Target for Cardio-Protection in Diabetes
Recent Patents on Cardiovascular Drug Discovery Lipid-Induced Modulation of Protective Signalling Pathways in Cardiovascular Disease: The Role of High Density Lipoproteins
Current Signal Transduction Therapy