Biomaterial Database

Immunological specificity of heat-stable opsonins in immune and nonimmune sera and their interaction with non-encapsulated and encapsulated strains of Staphylococcus aureus. 1979

W W Karakawa, and D A Young

The in vitro interactions between strains of Staphylococcus aureus and human polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the presence of immune and nonimmune sera were studied. Evidence indicated that phagocytosis of encapsulated strains occurred in the presence of specific homologous antiserum, whereas non-encapsulated strains were readily phagocytized by polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the presence of both normal and immune sera. Immunological analyses demonstrated that normal serum opsonins, which reacted with the non-encapsulated strains, were specifically directed against exposed mucopeptide moieties of the organisms. Sera rich in antimucopeptide antibodies were obtained from rabbits immunized with heterologous bacteria such as Escherichia coli and group A-variant streptococci and were shown to be effective in opsonizing the non-encapsulated strains of S. aureus. Fresh clinical isolates of S. aureus were noticeably more resistant to the opsonizing effects of the antimucopeptide antibodies. Results were presented which suggest that the surface structures of these clinical isolates are more diverse than laboratory-propagated strains and that these antiphagocytic surface antigens may be significant factors in masking the opsonizing effects of the mucopeptide opsonins which are present in most sera.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007106	Immune Sera	Serum that contains antibodies. It is obtained from an animal that has been immunized either by ANTIGEN injection or infection with microorganisms containing the antigen.	Antisera,Immune Serums,Sera, Immune,Serums, Immune
D009088	Mucoproteins	Conjugated proteins in which mucopolysaccharides are combined with proteins. The mucopolysaccharide moiety is the predominant group with the protein making up only a small percentage of the total weight.
D009504	Neutrophils	Granular leukocytes having a nucleus with three to five lobes connected by slender threads of chromatin, and cytoplasm containing fine inconspicuous granules and stainable by neutral dyes.	LE Cells,Leukocytes, Polymorphonuclear,Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes,Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils,Neutrophil Band Cells,Band Cell, Neutrophil,Cell, LE,LE Cell,Leukocyte, Polymorphonuclear,Neutrophil,Neutrophil Band Cell,Neutrophil, Polymorphonuclear,Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte,Polymorphonuclear Neutrophil
D009895	Opsonin Proteins	Proteins that bind to particles and cells to increase susceptibility to PHAGOCYTOSIS, especially ANTIBODIES bound to EPITOPES that attach to FC RECEPTORS. COMPLEMENT C3B may also participate.	Opsonin,Opsonin Protein,Opsonins,Protein, Opsonin
D010587	Phagocytosis	The engulfing and degradation of microorganisms; other cells that are dead, dying, or pathogenic; and foreign particles by phagocytic cells (PHAGOCYTES).	Phagocytoses
D006358	Hot Temperature	Presence of warmth or heat or a temperature notably higher than an accustomed norm.	Heat,Hot Temperatures,Temperature, Hot,Temperatures, Hot
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000907	Antibodies, Bacterial	Immunoglobulins produced in a response to BACTERIAL ANTIGENS.	Bacterial Antibodies
D000942	Antigens, Bacterial	Substances elaborated by bacteria that have antigenic activity.	Bacterial Antigen,Bacterial Antigens,Antigen, Bacterial
D000954	Antigens, Surface	Antigens on surfaces of cells, including infectious or foreign cells or viruses. They are usually protein-containing groups on cell membranes or walls and may be isolated.	Cell Surface Antigens,Surface Antigens,Surface Markers, Immunological,Cell Surface Antigen,Immunologic Surface Markers,Markers, Immunological Surface,Surface Antigen,Surface Markers, Immunologic,Antigen, Cell Surface,Antigen, Surface,Antigens, Cell Surface,Immunological Surface Markers,Markers, Immunologic Surface,Surface Antigen, Cell,Surface Antigens, Cell