title: Biological activity of bacterial cell-wall components: immunogenicity of the bacterial extract OM-89.
abstract: The bacterial extract OM-89 is used for the treatment of recurrent infections of the urinary tract. It consists of immunostimulating components derived from 18 Escherichia coli bacterial strains and constitutes a non-specific leukocyte activator. We here could demonstrate for the first time that, in a long-term immunization protocol, OM-89 acts as an effective immunogen in mice. After multiple parenteral applications of the extract, OM-89-specific antisera were obtained; the maximum serum antibody content was found after 6-9 immunizations. The antibodies induced were mainly of the IgG isotype, and a weak increase of IgM was observed. The sera also bound to the bacterial strains used for the preparation of the extract. Moreover, we could show that defined bacterial cell-wall components like protein I (porin), lipopeptide and murein were recognized. Our findings on the immunogenicity of OM-89 might partially explain the therapeutic effect of the extract as shown in clinical studies.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Immunbiologie der Universität, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Sedelmeier
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Bessler
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000276:immunology; D007114:Immunization; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010457:Peptidoglycan / Q000378:metabolism; D018272:Porins / Q000378:metabolism; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D007106:Immune Sera; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D008074:Lipoproteins; D010457:Peptidoglycan; D018272:Porins; C050501:OM 89