Antibody bound to the surface antigen MPB83 of Mycobacterium bovis enhances survival against high dose and low dose challenge.
Tuberculosis caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Mycobacterium bovis is a significant disease of man and animals. Whilst cellular immunity is the major immunological component required for protection against these organisms, recent reports have suggested that monoclonal antibodies can modify infection with M. tuberculosis. To test whether the same was true for M. bovis infection, we determined the effect of preincubation of M. bovis with a monoclonal antibody on subsequent intravenous infection of mice. Antibodies bound to the surface of M. bovis increased the survival time of mice infected with M. bovis and changed the morphology of granulomas and the distribution of acid-fast bacilli in the lung. These studies suggest that antibodies directed to the surface of virulent mycobacteria can modulate their virulence in vivo.
Chambers
Mark A
MA
TB Research Group, Department of Statutory and Exotic Bacterial Diseases, Veterinary Laboratories Agency Weybridge, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK. m.a.chambers@vla.defra.gsi.gov.uk
Gavier-Widén
Dolores
D
Hewinson
R Glyn
RG
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D008168:Lung / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000276:immunology*; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C094904:MPB83 protein, Mycobacterium; D008565:Membrane Proteins