Opsonization of Treponema pallidum is mediated by immunoglobulin G antibodies induced only by pathogenic treponemes.
Rabbit antisera to Leptospira interrogans, Borrelia hermsii, and Treponema phagedenis biotype Reiter, reactive to shared spirochetal antigens, failed to enhance phagocytosis of Treponema pallidum by macrophages, while immunoglobulin G to Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue and Treponema paraluiscuniculi promoted phagocytosis. Opsonic antibodies are directed to pathogen-restricted, not shared spirochetal, antigens.
Shaffer
J M
JM
Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Baker-Zander
S A
SA
Lukehart
S A
SA
D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology*; D010587:Phagocytosis; D011817:Rabbits; D014210:Treponema pallidum / Q000276:immunology*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007106:Immune Sera; D007074:Immunoglobulin G