The immunodominant glycolipid recognized by <i>L. mexicana</i>-infected mouse serum is a GPI and has a branched mannose chain.

<p><i>L. mexicana</i> amastigote GIPLs (lanes 1–4, 6, 8, 9) were digested with <i>T. brucei</i> GPI-PLC, human GPI-PLD, or jack bean α-mannosidase (JBAM), extracted with <i>n</i>-butanol, and separated by TLC. Then serum from <i>L. mexicana</i>-infected mice was used for immunoblot. In addition, <i>Trypanosoma brucei</i> GPI glycolipids were also analyzed by TLC immunoblot in comparison with <i>L. mexicana</i> amastigote GIPLs. Lane 1, 8×10⁷ c.e. GIPL, mock GPI-PLC; lane 2, 8×10⁷ c.e., GPI-PLC; lane 3, 8×10⁷ c.e., mock GPI-PLD; lane 4, 8×10⁷ c.e., GPI-PLD; lane 5, GPI-PLD without <i>L. mex</i> GIPL; lane 6, 2×10⁸ c.e. GIPL; lane 7, 2×10⁸ c.e. <i>T. brucei</i> GPIs; lane 8, 8×10⁸ c.e. GIPL, mock JBAM; lane 9, 8×10⁸ c.e., JBAM. O, origin; F, front; A, immunodominant GIPL; B, de-branched mannose product of immunodominant GIPL. Data represent at least 3 experiments with similar results.