title: Specificity of the immune response to the group B polysaccharide of Neisseria meningitidis.
abstract: A panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and polyclonal sera of murine, human and equine origin, of IgM isotype and with specificity for Neisseria meningitidis group B polysaccharide, an alpha(2----8)-linked homopolymer of sialic acid, were examined for their antigenic and biological specificities. The nature of the antigenic determinants on B polysaccharide was investigated using a series of N-acyl derivatives of B polysaccharide, two sialic acid polymers containing alpha(2----9)-linkages and a series of polynucleotides. The panel of antibodies recognized an array of unrelated antigenic determinants on the B polysaccharide, despite its structural simplicity, and all but one were highly effective in an in vitro bactericidal assay and/or in an in vivo murine passive protection model. There was no evidence that B polysaccharide induced antibody capable of blocking biological activity (blocking antibody).
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Immunobiology, Wellcome Biotech, Beckenham, Kent, U.K.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Lifely
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Esdaile
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D000918:Antibody Specificity / Q000276:immunology; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D016667:Bacterial Capsules; D001433:Bacteriolysis / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000517:prevention & control; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D011233:Precipitin Tests
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000939:Epitopes; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; C039455:capsular polysaccharide, meningococcal group B