Evidence of Breakdown of Pneumococcal Polysaccharides in Vivo

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Abstract
Type-specific PCP [pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide] vaccines (types 1 and 8) were fractionated twice on Sephadex G-200 to eliminate antigen of < 70,000 Mr [relative MW] and the vaccines were injected i.p. into rats. PCP of < 70,000 Mr was excreted in the urine within 72 h after injection and within 1 wk most PCP in the urine was < 70,000 Mr. PCP in the urine had increased electrophoretic mobility and showed only partial immunologic identity in comparison with the injected PCP. Deposits of PCP in the renal mesangium and endothelium declined with time and were eventually eliminated from the tissue. Types 1 and 8 PCP may be slowly degraded in rats.