The Fimbrin TvFim1, an immunogenic protein involved in male trichomoniasis.

Abstract

An active immunoproteome of Trichomonas vaginalis was obtained by 2D-Western blotting (2D-WB). Subsequent proteoform identification by mass spectrometry (MS) showed differential expression and specific immunoreactions of multiple proteins mediated by the presence of Zn²⁺. A total of 25 proteoforms were immunologically reactive, generally under Zn²⁺ conditions, and MS analysis revealed that the fimbrin (plastin) of T. vaginalis (TvFim1) was recognized by the sera of male patients with trichomoniasis but not by the sera of infected female patients. These findings suggest that the protein is immunogenic during active male trichomoniasis and that cytoskeletal proteins, including fimbrins, may also act as virulence factors in addition to their role in parasite morphogenesis.