Increase of Nonspecific Resistance to Infection by Protodyne, a Protein Component Derived from Bacterial Protoplasm

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Escherichia coli and perhaps other organisms contain not only endotoxin, but also a nontoxic proteinaceous material that is not a lipopolysaccharide and yet has the ability to increase the nonspecific host resistance against a variety of infections. This substance, called protodyne, occurs in the protoplasm and can be extracted from the separated protoplasm with hot phenol. Protodyne differs from endotoxin, which is contained in the bacterial cell walls, in consisting predominantly of proteinaceous material and in being substantially free from lipids and polysaccharides. Biologically, protodyne appears devoid of the pyrogenic and Shwartzman inducing properties that are so characteristic of endotoxin. While protodyne increases host resistance to infection with a variety of microorganisms, it differs from endotoxin in having a different degree of protective action depending on the microorganism responsible for the infection. It is possible that protodyne plays a role in protecting animals from infections prior to the onset of specific antibody formation.

This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit: