title: Antibodies to the capsular polysaccharide of Neisseria meningitidis group B or E. coli K1 bind to the brains of infant rats in vitro but not in vivo.
abstract: The binding of monoclonal and polyclonal IgG antibodies specific to the capsular polysaccharide of Neisseria meningitidis group B and E. coli K1 was tested to the cross-reacting polysialosyl structures previously shown to be present in the brain of infant rats (Lancet 1983; ii: 355-7). Strong immunofluorescence was obtained after in vitro incubation of the brains of 1 to 13 days old rats with the antibodies whereas the brains of adult rats remained negative. The number of antibody-binding structures decreased as a function of age, being highest at the age of 1 to 5 days. However, when the same antibodies were injected intraperitoneally into the infant rat, or into the mother rat 2 days before parturition, no binding of antibodies to the infant rat brain tissue was observed.
authors.affiliation: Medical Council, Academy of Finland, Helsinki.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saukkonen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haltia
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frosch
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bitter-Süerman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leinonen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D016667:Bacterial Capsules; D001921:Brain / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000276:immunology; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; C036962:capsular polysaccharide K1