Influence of O and K antigens on the surface properties of Escherichia coli in relation to phagocytosis.
Strains of Escherichia coli with different O and K antigens were investigated with respect to physicochemical surface characteristics and liability to phagocytosis. Using two-phase partitioning analysis for the surface characterization, three main groups of strains emerged: Group I (O1:K1, O2:K1, O3:K2ab) showing both smooth hydrophilic O antigens and negatively-charged K antigen which rendered the strains maximally resistant to phagocytosis. Group II (O55:K59, O111:K58) showed no acidic K antigen but only smooth hydrophilic O antigen properties. However, these strains were as resistant to phagocytosis as the strains in group I. A third group (O14:K7, O24:K +) contained strains with rough, hydrophobic O antigen and negatively-charged K antigen. When the K antigen was removed by heat treatment these strains became more sensitive to phagocytosis. Certain other strains (O28:K-, O56:K + and O118:K-) did not fit into the three groups. These experiments show that the physicochemical surface effects and biological significance of the K antigen must be evaluated in relation to the properties conveyed by the corresponding O antigens.
D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006358:Hot Temperature; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology; D010587:Phagocytosis; D013499:Surface Properties
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000954:Antigens, Surface