Antigens from Thermopolyspora polyspora Involved in Farmer' Lung. ∗

Summary

The trichloroacetic acid (TCA-) soluble antigens from T. polyspora had the same immunoelectrophoretic properties as the 3 farmer' lung antigens in a moldy hay sample from which this organism was isolated. The antigens cross reacted with one another and had similar properties on DEAE-cellulose columns. T. polyspora was grown in liquid culture. The mycelia were broken by sonication and extracted in order with pH 7.2 phosphate buffer, cold TCA, hot TCA and NaOH. Three antigens were extracted by cold TCA, and the phosphate buffer extract contained 2 additional TCA-insoluble antigens; the hot TCA and NaOH extracts were also antigenic. An extracellular, TCA-soluble antigen was found in the growth medium which did not cross react with the other TCA-soluble antigens. Pronase digestion did not destroy the 3 TCA-soluble antigens, but a residual peptide remained which was composed primarily of lysine, glutamic acid, alanine and allo-isoleucine. This peptide appeared to be part of a cell wall glycopeptide. The antigenic fractions were composed primarily of polysaccharides containing galactose, arabinose and glucosamine.