A Comparison of the Antigenic Properties of Nucleus Pulposus and Cartilage Protein Polysaccharide Complexes

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Abstract
Summary: Protein-polysaccharide complexes and their light fractions (PP-L) from human nucleus pulposus (H-NP), steer and dog nucleus pulposus (S-NP, D-NP) and articular cartilage (S-AC, D-AC) were compared. These preparations were used in their native form and also after digestion with hyaluronidase. Antisera obtained by immunization of rabbits with H-NP, S-NP and S-AC were tested with all PP-L preparations by double diffusion in agar, by microdiffusion in agar and by immunoelectrophoresis. PP-L preparations were also examined by analytical ultracentrifugation, by moving boundary electrophoresis, and were stained by alcian blue 8GS stain after electrophoresis in agar. The results of this study clearly show that 1) PP-L from nucleus pulposus is antigenic in the rabbit. 2) PP-L from nucleus pulposus contains at least two antigenic determinants common to all species tested and, in addition, at least one species specific antigenic determinant. These antigenic determinants appear on at least two separate antigens. 3) PP-L from nucleus pulposus and cartilage are closely related if not identical. 4) Hyaluronidase digestion increases the rate of diffusion of PP-L preparations, and possibly uncovers some new determinants.

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