Local immunie response in experimental pyelonephritis in the rabbit. III. Lymphocyte responsivieness to O and K antigens of Escherichia coli.
The response of circulating and infected kidney lymphocytes to the O (lipopolysaccharide) and K (polysaccharide) antigens of an Escherichia coli O6 K 13 H1 strain was determined. Both circulating and kidney lymphocytes showed significant incorporation of [3H-methyl]thymidine into DNA when incubated with the O antigen, whereas neither responded to the K antigen. The lipid moiety of the lipopolysaccharide was required for lymphocyte responsiveness. Upon sequential incubation of O antigen and fluoresceinated homologous antiserum, 24-30 per cent of kidney lymphocytes were shown to have surface receptors for O antigen, whereas none had surface receptors for K antigen. Although the K antigen is an important determinant of invasiveness of the upper urinary tract, it fails to elicit a cellular immune response or attach to lymphocytes from the infected kidney in experimental pyelonephritis.
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000276:immunology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D011704:Pyelonephritis / Q000276:immunology*; D011817:Rabbits
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D004247:DNA