Specificity of the immune response to the group B polysaccharide of Neisseria meningitidis. |
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| Authors: | M R Lifely and J Esdaile |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Experimental Immunobiology, Wellcome Biotech, Beckenham, Kent, U.K. |
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| Abstract: | A panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and polyclonal sera of murine, human and equine origin, of IgM isotype and with specificity for Neisseria meningitidis group B polysaccharide, an alpha(2----8)-linked homopolymer of sialic acid, were examined for their antigenic and biological specificities. The nature of the antigenic determinants on B polysaccharide was investigated using a series of N-acyl derivatives of B polysaccharide, two sialic acid polymers containing alpha(2----9)-linkages and a series of polynucleotides. The panel of antibodies recognized an array of unrelated antigenic determinants on the B polysaccharide, despite its structural simplicity, and all but one were highly effective in an in vitro bactericidal assay and/or in an in vivo murine passive protection model. There was no evidence that B polysaccharide induced antibody capable of blocking biological activity (blocking antibody). |
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