The interaction of naturally elaborated blebs from serum-susceptible and serum-resistant strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae with normal human serum.
We studied the interaction of normal human serum immunoglobulins with outer-membrane bleb antigens of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Gonococcal 68,000 Dalton and Lip (H.8 antigen) outer-membrane proteins were recognized by normal human serum immunoglobulins in blebs from serum-resistant strains, but not in blebs from serum-susceptible strains. The addition of blebs from a serum-resistant strain to bactericidal assays resulted in significantly greater inhibition of serum killing than the addition of blebs from a serum-susceptible strain. Our results indicate that blebs from two serum-resistant gonococcal strains have an enhanced ability to bind and remove cell-targeted bactericidal factors, and that outer-membrane blebbing may contribute to serum resistance.
Pettit
R K
RK
Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula 59812.
Judd
R C
RC
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D001770:Blood Bactericidal Activity; D006801:Humans; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000276:immunology*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins