Immunochemical analysis and immunogenicity of the type II group B streptococcal capsular polysaccharide.

The relationship between group B streptococcal (GBS) type-specific antisera and the type II-specific polysaccharide is evaluated from a structural and immunologic viewpoint. Although all GBS type-specific polysaccharides are composed of the same monosaccharides, the type II antigen is more complex structurally and contains these sugars in a molar ratio different from the other antigens. Type II polysaccharide has two side chains. One contains only sialic acid and is less susceptible to acid cleavage than sialic acid residues found on types III, Ia, and Ib polysaccharides. The other side chain is composed of galactose as the only sugar. Immunochemical studies demonstrate that the type II polysaccharide has several immunodeterminants. One of these determinants is likely to be the side-chain galactose, while sialic acid appears to comprise part of another immunodeterminant, more complex than sialic acid alone. A series of cross-reactions is demonstrated between the type II native antigen and antisera to serotypes Ia, III, and Ib by a sensitive radioactive antigen-binding assay, which account for additional, complex immunodeterminants. The strongest of these cross-reactions is with type Ia antiserum and the weakest with Ib antiserum. Since Ia and Ib polysaccharides differ in only one linkage, these findings suggest that the trisaccharide beta D-N-acetyl-glucosamine-p(1 leads to 3) beta D-galactose-p(1 leads to 4) beta D-glucose-p [[beta D-GlcNAcp(1 leads to 3) beta D-Galp(1 leads to 4)beta D-Glcap]] is the likely common site responsible for the interaction of the type II native polysaccharide and type Ia antiserum. Another cross-reaction is observed between type III antiserum and type II native antigen. Inhibition studies indicate that the most likely cross-reactive determinant in this case is [beta D-Galp(1 leads to 4)beta D-GlcNAcp]. Type II polysaccharide has been utilized in a human vaccine trial to test safety and immunogenicity. The polysaccharide is highly immunogenic, inducing an antibody response in 95% of recipients, and nontoxic, with side-effects confined to minimal local reactions. Despite the cross-reactions observed between type-specific antigens and antibody prepared by immunization of rabbits with whole bacteria, which suggest shared immunodeterminants, similar cross-reactions were not detected in human sera after immunization with purified type II polysaccharide.

Serological and structural features of Hafnia alvei lipopolysaccharides containing D-3-hydroxybutyric acid.

The serological heterogeneity of Hafnia alvei lipopolysaccharides from strains ATCC 13337, 1187, 1221, 114/60, 1211 and 1216, that contain D-3-hydroxybutyric acid, was analyzed by rocket immunoelectrophoresis, immunoblotting and passive hemagglutination. The significance of D-3-hydroxybutyric acid component for their cross-reactivity has been discussed. The results obtained allowed us to place four H. alvei strains (ATCC 13337, 1187, 1221 and 114/60) in one serotype (A) and to consider two other strains (1211 and 1216) as separate serotypes (B and C, respectively).

Non-typical lipopolysaccharide core regions of some Hafnia alvei strains: structural and serological studies.

The lipopolysaccharides of Hafnia alvei strains 23, 1222 and 39 were found to have non-typical core region. On the basis of sugar and methylation analyses, 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, it was concluded that the core oligosaccharide of strains 23 and 1222 has the same structure as Escherichia coli R4 core region, and the core oligosaccharide of strain 39 has the structure of Salmonella Ra core. Using the serological methods (passive hemagglutination, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting) and the anti-conjugate sera directed against E. coli R4 and Salmonella Ra core oligosaccharides we have confirmed the structural results presented above.

The occurrence of glycine in bacterial lipopolysaccharides.

The aminoacyl analysis of endotoxic lipopolysaccharides (LPS) isolated from several bacteria revealed essential amounts of glycine, among the inherent LPS components. Significant amounts of the glycine was detected in lipopolysaccharides isolated from over 30 strains of Escherichia, Salmonella, Hafnia, Citrobacter and Shigella species. Glycine as a single amino acid was found only in a core part of LPS. Molar ratio of glycine in core oligosaccharide fraction ranged from 0.2 to 0.6 per 3 heptoses. The oligosaccharide enriched in glycine was isolated using the HPLC. The amino acid appeared to be terminally located in a core oligosaccharide. The labelling of the lipopolysaccharide cores was achieved when the bacteria were cultivated in the presence of radioactive [14C]glycine. The labelled core oligosaccharide released the radioactivity during treatment with mild alkali or acid (0.1 M NaOH or HCl, 100 degrees C, 4 h). The radioactivity in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis migrated exclusively with LPS. The results indicate that amino acid is an integral constituent of core oligosaccharide in lipopolysaccharide.

Structural and serological studies on Hafnia alvei O-specific polysaccharide of alpha-D-mannan type isolated from the lipopolysaccharide of strain PCM 1223.

On the basis of chemical and methylation analyses, one- and two-dimensional (1)H- and (13)C-NMR spectroscopy, including COSY, TOCSY, NOESY and (1)H, (13)C HSQC experiments, a neutral O-specific polysaccharide isolated from Hafnia alvei strain PCM 1223 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was found to be an alpha-mannan composed of pentasaccharide repeating units having the following structure:-->3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->. Immunoblotting showed a strong cross-reactivity between anti-H. alvei PCM 1223 serum and LPSs of Escherichia coli O9 and Klebsiella pneumoniae O3. The serological relationship of the LPSs of these bacteria is due to the structural identity of their O-specific polysaccharides, though the LPSs differ in their core regions.

The heterogeneity of lipopolysaccharides from Citrobacter 023 serotype.

Chemical studies on carbohydrate part of lipopolysaccharides isolated from Citrobacter 87/57 and Citrobacter 1556 strains (serotype 023) were carried out. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were hydrolyzed with 1% acetic acid and the carbohydrate material was fractionated on Sephadex G-50 and Bio-Gel P-4 columns. All fractions obtained were subjected to chemical analysis by colorimetric methods and by gas-liquid chromatography. It was found that O-specific polysaccharide from LPS 87/57 is composed of mannose and N-acetylgalactosamine in the molar ratio of 3:1. Both lipopolysaccharides contain unsubstituted core oligosaccharides (built of heptose, glucose and galactose in molar ratio of 3:3:1) as well as core oligosaccharides substituted with shorter (LPS 87/57 and LPS 1556) and longer (LPS 87/57) O-specific oligosaccharides. Strain 87/57 is of S (smooth) type and strain 1556 lacking O-specific polysaccharide is of SR (semi-rough) type. The data of Sephadex G-100 chromatography showed that O-antigen from Citrobacter 87/57 is heterogeneous; it contains polysaccharide chains of different length but the same composition. The heterogeneity of Citrobacter 023 lipopolysaccharides has been also detected by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Immunochemical studies on the serotype of Shigella flexneri and its recombinant.

Chemical and serologic analysis of polysaccharides of Shigella flexneri 2b and its recombinant revealed complete defect of the gene responsible for type II specificity as a result of recombination. At the same time, function of the gene in the same locus responsible for 7,8 group specificity was partially inhibited. Attenuation of group antigen 7,8, associated with partial uncovering of the structure of the basic chain, causes appearance of a distinct 3,4 group antigen. Changes of this type in Shigella flexneri have not been described hitherto.

Serological analysis of core oligosaccharides of Shigella flexneri serotype 6 and its R mutants lipopolysaccharides.

The core oligosaccharides originating from Shigella flexneri 6 S strains and R mutants were examined by the complement fixation inhibition and passive hemolysis inhibition tests using antisera against the complete and partially degraded core regions. Strong cross reactivity between Shigella flexneri 6, Shigella sonnei phase II and E. coli C core fractions which all are of R1 type was observed. Terminal beta-D-glucosyl groups and alpha-D-galactosyl-1,2-alpha-D-galactosyl sequences are essential elements of R1 type immunodeterminants. Heptose region of the R1 cores seems not be involved in their serological specificity.

Immunochemical characteristics of Shigella sonnei and serotype 6 Shigella flexneri lipopolysaccharides and enterobacterial common antigen.

Immunochemical studies on Shigella sonnei and serotype 6 Shigella flexneri 0 antigens (lipopolysaccharides) and enterobacterial common antigen (ECA) isolated from Shigella sonnei were carried out. Oligosaccharide structure of 0-specific chain of serotype 6 Shigella fiexneri lipopolysaccharide was defined and beta-L-rhamnosyl-1,3-N-acetyl-D-galactosamin as immunodeterminant of type VI specificity was recognized. The structures of core regions of lipopolysaccharides isolated from R mutants of both Shigella subgroups were established. On the base of the serological and structural results it has been suggested that these core regions are identical and very close to RI core structure of E. coli C. The effective method of isolation and purification of enterobacterial common antigen from Shigella sonnei was elaborated and its immunological properties as well as chemical character defined.

Structural studies on Hafnia alvei 114-60 O-antigen.

The structure of Hafnia alvei 114-60 O-antigen has been established using sugar and methylation analyses as well as 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The results obtained proved that the repeating unit of Hafnia alvei 114-60 O-antigen is identical to that of Hafnia alvei ATCC 13337 standard strain and has the following structure: [formula: see text]

The structure of the O-specific polysaccharide chain from Citrobacter O23-lipopolysaccharide.

The structure of Citrobacter O23-specific polysaccharide has been shown by sugar and methylation analyses of the native and chemically degraded polysaccharide and by 1H- and 13C-n.m.r. spectroscopy to consist of the tetrasaccharide repeating-units: ----4)-alpha-D-Man-(1----2)-alpha-D-Man-(1----2)-beta-D-Man- (1----3)-alpha-D-GalNAc-(1----, 80% of which are substituted by O-acetyl groups.

Structural determination of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 19A (57).

The structure of the Pneumococcus type 19A (57) capsular polysaccharide has been reinvestigated by using methylation analysis and n.m.r. spectroscopy. It is composed of residues of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-mannose, D-glucose, L-rhamnose, and phosphate in the molar ratios of 1:1:1:1. The polysaccharide is linear, and is composed of these components in a repeating unit of the following structure. ---- 4)-beta-D-ManpNAc-(1 ---- 4)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1 ---- 3)-alpha-L- Rhap-(1-PO4-) ---- The type 19A polysaccharide (Na+ salt) was depolymerized by heating it in water at 100 degrees, conditions that also hydrolyzed the newly formed phosphoric monoesters.

Lipopolysaccharide core region of Hafnia alvei: structure elucidation using chemical methods, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and NMR spectroscopy.

Sugar and methylation analysis with the use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and 1H NMR spectroscopy proved that the core oligosaccharides isolated from lipopolysaccharides of eight Hafnia alvei strains have the identical hexasaccharide skeleton. However, 1H, 31P heterocorrelated spectra showed that the phosphorylation pattern is not the same. The branched heptose for the ATCC 13337, 1187, 2, 1191, 1196, 1220, and 481L strains is phosphorylated as in the following formula, where P = -O-P(O)(O-)2 and P-PEtN = [-O-P(O)(O-)]2-O(CH2)2NH3+ [formula: see text] A different phosphorylation pattern was found for the 1211 strain, where the branched heptose residue is 6-substituted by a monophosphorylethanolamine group, ...-->3(-->7)(PEtN-->6)-alpha-LD-Hepp-(1-->3)..., where PEtN = -O-P(O)(O-)-O(CH2)2NH3+.

The structure of the O-specific polysaccharide from Hafnia alvei strain 38 lipopolysaccharide.

The O-specific polysaccharide of the lipopolysaccharide from H. alvei strain 38 has been established by NMR spectroscopy (13C and 1H) and methylation analysis to have the repeating unit-->4)-beta-D-ManpNAc-(1-->4)-alpha-D-GlcpNAc(1-->.

Structure of the O-specific polysaccharide, containing a glycerol phosphate substituent, of Hafnia alvei strain 1220 lipopolysaccharide.

The O-specific polysaccharide of the lipopolysaccharide produced by Hafnia alvei strain 1220 contained D-glucose, D-galactose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, N-acetyl-L-fucosamine (2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-L-galactose), glycerol, and phosphate. It was proved by composition and methylation analyses, Smith degradation, dephosphorylation, and one- and two-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopy to be a teichoic acid-like polymer with a branched hexasaccharide repeating unit of the following structure. [sequence: see text]

Reinvestigation of the O-specific polysaccharides of Hafnia alvei lipopolysaccharides isolated from strains ATCC 13337 and 1187.

The structure of the O-specific polysaccharides of the lipopolysaccharides produced by Hafnia alvei strains ATCC 13337 and 1187 was reinvestigated. The position of phosphate group in the repeating units of the polysaccharides was established with the aid of 1H detected, 31P edited NMR spectra. According to the results obtained, the polysaccharides are teichoic acid-like polymers with the repeating units of the following structure: [formula: see text] where Acyl = D-3-hydroxylbutyryl, and 3-O-acetylation was approximately 30%.

The structure of the O-specific polysaccharide of Hafnia alvei strain 1216.

The O-specific polysaccharide of Hafnia alvei strain 1216 is composed of D-galactose, D-glucuronic acid, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose, 3,6-dideoxy-3-[(R)-3-hydroxybutyramido]-D-glucose, and O-acetyl groups in the ratios 1:1:2:1:1. On the basis of sugar and methylation analyses of the intact and chemically degraded (O-deacetylated, carboxyl-reduced, Smith-degraded) polysaccharide and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, including 2D shift-correlated (COSY, relayed COSY, 13C, 1H-COSY) and 1D NOE spectroscopy, it was concluded that the O-antigen is built up of linear pentasaccharide units having the following structure: [formula: see text]

The structure of a glycerol teichoic acid-like O-specific polysaccharide of Hafnia alvei 1205.

The O-specific polysaccharide of Hafnia alvei 1205 contained D-glucose, D-galactose, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose, 4-acetamido-4,6-dideoxy-D-glucose (Qui4NAc), glycerol, phosphate, and O-acetyl groups. On the basis of 1D and 2D shift-correlated homonuclear and 13C-1H heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy, methylation analysis, Smith degradation, and dephosphorylation with hydrofluoric acid, it was concluded that the O-antigen was a partially O-acetylated teichoic acid-like polysaccharide having the following structure: [formula: see text]

Structure of the O-specific polysaccharide of Hafnia alvei 1204 containing 3,6-dideoxy-3-formamido-D-glucose.

The O-specific polysaccharide of Hafnia alvei strain 1204 has a hexasaccharide repeating unit containing D-mannose, D-glucuronic acid, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galactose, and 3,6-dideoxy-3-formamido-D-glucose (Qui3NFo) in the ratios 2:1:1:1:1 as well as O-acetyl groups. On the basis of methylation analysis of the intact, carboxyl-reduced, and Smith-degraded polysaccharide as well as 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, including 1D total correlation spectroscopy, 1D NOE spectroscopy, 2D homonuclear shift-correlated spectroscopy (COSY), and 13C,1H heteronuclear COSY, the following structure of the O-deacetylated polysaccharide was established: -->3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->3)-beta-D-GlcpN Ac-(1--> -->2)-beta-D-Quip3NFo-(1-->3)-alpha-D-GalpNAc-(1-->4)-alpha-D-G lcpA-(1--> Location of the N-formyl group, occurring as two stereoisomers in the ratio approximately 3:1, was determined by an NOE on H-3 Qui3N arising on pre-irradiation of HCO of the minor (E) isomer. The O-acetyl groups are attached in nonstoichiometric amounts at position 3 of GlcA and position 6 of a mannose residue or GlcNAc.

Structure of the Hafnia alvei strain PCM 1188 O-specific polysaccharide.

The lipopolysaccharide was extracted from cells of Hafnia alvei PCM 1188 strain and, after mild acid hydrolysis, the O-specific polysaccharide isolated and characterized. On the basis of sugar and methylation analysis, FAB mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy of the polysaccharide and oligosaccharides obtained after Smith degradation, or solvolysis with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride, the repeating unit of the O-specific polysaccharide was shown to be the pentasaccharide: [formula: see text]