Immunochemical studies on the capsular polysaccharide of pneumococcal type IX

Molecular recognition of antigenic polysaccharides: a conformational comparison of capsules from Streptococcus pneumoniae serogroup 9

Aqueous solution conformations of three antigenic bacterial capsular polysaccharides (CPS) from S. pneumoniae serogroup 9 were determined using a combination of NMR data (NOE build-up rates and conformation-dependent chemical shifts), simulated annealing, and molecular dynamics simulations. Each polymer adopts a flexible extended ribbon conformation in solution. Conformations of structural elements shared by each PS are indistinguishable. Differences in conformations are minor and localised at the sites of structural variations; there is no evidence of long-range stabilisation of a secondary structure. It is likely that antigenic specificity of Group 9 PS is dominated by local structural variation rather than by conformational differences.

Structure of the carbohydrate portion of the sialo-glycopeptide isolated from the skin of the fish Mastacembalus armatus

The sialglycopeptide (PSGP-A), isolated from the degelled skin of the fish Mastacembalus armatus, contained sialic acids (NANA and NGNA, 13.5%), GlcNAc (19.3%), Gal (14.7%), Man (12.6%), Fuc (2.5%), and amino acids of which Asp, Ser, Thr, and Pro preponderated. Affinity chromatography showed that the two sialic acids were integral parts of the same glycopeptide molecule. The carbohydrate portion was linked through GlcNAc to Asn of the peptide core. Methylation analysis of PSGP-A and its degradation products and periodate-oxidation studies indicated a structure for the carbohydrate portion of PSGP-A which resembled those of other sialoglycopeptides having similar carbohydrate compositions.

Cross-reactions of lipopolysaccharides of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in antipneumococcal and other antisera

Lipopolysaccharides of the seven Fisher immunotypes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa gave cross-precipitation in many antipneumococcal sera. The reaction of Pseudomonas type IV in type 25 antipneumococcal serum was immediate and heavy: 93 micrograms of antibody nitrogen per ml. Correlations are described, mainly between the structures of the O-chains of the immunotypes and their specificities as shown by the cross-reactions.

Immunochemical characterization of cross-reactivity of pneumococcal group 9 capsular polysaccharide types 9N, 9A, 9L, and 9V

The chemical composition and immunochemical characterization of the four cross-reactive pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides within group 9 (types 9N, 9A, 9L, and 9V) were investigated. Their serological reactions were studied by using unabsorbed antisera prepared by immunizing rabbits with pneumococci of each of the four group 9 capsular polysaccharide types. Type 9A antiserum showed the most extensive cross-reactions with the four group 9 polysaccharides. Absorption with type 9N, 9L, or 9V polysaccharide removed 63, 96, or 87%, respectively, of the heterologous antibodies from the type 9A antiserum. All four of the group 9 polysaccharides contained glucose, N-acetylmannosamine, and glucuronic acid. In addition, types 9N and 9L had N-acetylglucosamine, and types 9A, 9L, and 9V contained galactose. Reduction of the uronic acid residues of the type 9 polysaccharides removed most of their homologous and much of their heterologous reactivities, indicating an important role for the uronic acid component in their antigenicity. The four group 9 polysaccharide preparations had comparable molecular sizes and only traces of protein and nucleic acid. Further studies to evaluate the most protective type among the group 9 strains to be included in the current pneumococcal vaccine are discussed.

Oxidation of the capsular polysaccharide of pneumococcal type IX by periodate

1. The pneumococcal type IX polysaccharide (polysaccharide S IX) has been oxidized by sodium metaperiodate and reduced by sodium borohydride. Of the constituent monosaccharides, N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmannosamine remain unaltered, whereas 40% of the glucose and 90% of the glucuronic acid are oxidized. 2. The effect of oxidation and subsequent reduction on the precipitation of polysaccharide S IX in anti-(pneumococcal) sera is described and interpreted in structural terms. 3. Oligosaccharides produced by oxidation, reduction and hydrolysis with dilute acid have been isolated and partially characterized. 4. The results in this paper and the preceding one (Higginbotham et al., 1972) are used to postulate a possible structure for polysaccharide S IX.