Molecular analysis of anti-N-propionyl Neisseria meningitidis group B polysaccharide monoclonal antibodies.

ABSTRACT: The capsular polysaccharide of Neisseria meningitidis group B (MBPS) is a polymer of alpha (2-->8) N-acetyl neuraminic acid, which is chemically identical to polysialic acid (PSA) expressed in human tissues. Antibodies from mice immunized with a MBPS-protein conjugate vaccine in which N-acetyl groups have been replaced by propionyl groups (N-Pr MBPS) can be bactericidal and show minimal or no cross-reactivity with human PSA. To investigate the molecular basis for antigen recognition, we cloned and sequenced the variable region (V) genes of five bactericidal anti-N-Pr MBPS murine mAbs and produced computer models of the combining sites. The results were compared to those reported in the literature for two autoreactive anti-MBPS. The V region genes of the anti-N-Pr MBPS mAbs and the anti-MBP

SUBMITTER: Moe GR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2245894 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature