STIMULATORY EFFECT OF VIBRIO-CHOLERAE NEURAMINIDASE ON ANTIBODY-RESPONSE TO VARIOUS ANTIGENS

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  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 34  (2) , 181-187
Abstract
V. cholerae neuraminidase (VCN) splits off peripheral sialic acids from cell membranes. Treatment of tumor cells with VCN increases their immunogenicity. VCN may unmask hidden tumor specific antigens. VCN can affect the cell-cell interactions of immune cells in vitro and it seems possible that the enzyme may have a direct effect on the immune response to antigen in vivo. The present report describes the effect of VCN on the antibody response of mice to SRBC [sheep red blood cells], to antigens which do not contain peripheral neuraminic acid such as certain bacterial vaccines and rubella virus and to the soluble antigen BSA [bovine serum albumin]. VCN injected i.m. or i.p., but not i.v., together with the antigens increases the PFC [plaque forming cell] response to SRBC, the antibody response to various bacteria (Escherichia coli, V. cholerae, Salmonella typhimurium), the antibody response to rubella virus and inhibits tolerance induction by aggregate free BSA. The optimal dose required to stimulate the antibody response is between 0.5 and 50 units/animal. Possible mechanisms of the adjuvant activity of VCN are discussed.