Klebsiella pneumoniae glycoprotein RU-41740 enhances resistance of mice against Mycoplasma arthritidis-induced arthritis.
The effect of a purified glycoprotein extract from Klebsiella pneumoniae with non-specific immunostimulating properties (RU 41740) on the development and course of mycoplasma arthritis was investigated. Male A/J mice aged 2-3 months were given RU-41740 either intraperitoneally (i.p.) or orally prior to injection with Mycoplasma arthritidis. RU-41740 injected i.p. at 0.1 mg kg-1 or given orally at 1 mg kg-1 prior to the infection and subsequently on alternate days enhanced the resistance of mice to mycoplasma arthritis (P less than 0.001). Doses of 1 mg kg-1 i.p. or 10 mg kg-1 orally did not modify the course of the arthritis significantly, probably due to immunosuppressive factors from monocytes. It is suggested that RU-41740 protects the mice by stimulating macrophages. This immunostimulant might prove useful in the treatment of mycoplasma diseases, especially in the immunocompromised host.
Kaklamani
E
E
University of Athens, Medical School, Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Greece.
Koumantaki
Y
Y
Karalis
D
D
Rommain
M
M
Smets
P
P
Kaklamanis
P
P
Blackwell
C C
CC
Weir
D M
DM
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C037567:glycoprotein, Klebsiella pneumoniae