Open AccessEnhancement of the neonate's nonspecific immunity to Klebsiella infection by muramyl dipeptide, a synthetic immunoadjuvant.
Author(s) -
M Parant,
F. Parant,
L Chedid
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.75.7.3395
Subject(s) - muramyl dipeptide , immunoadjuvant , peptidoglycan , glycopeptide , lipopolysaccharide , klebsiella pneumoniae , adjuvant , microbiology and biotechnology , dipeptide , immunity , biology , immune system , chemistry , immunology , antibiotics , peptide , escherichia coli , biochemistry , enzyme , gene
N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine (muramyl dipeptide) and certain derivatives that are structural analogs of part of the bacterial peptidoglycan monomer have been shown to be adjuvant active and to enhance the nonspecific immunity of adult mice infected by Klebsiella pneumoniae. In the present study muramyl dipeptide and two other synthetic analogs were found to be active in newborn mice. This activity could be demonstrated after administration by subcutaneous or even by oral route. In contrast to what was observed after treatment by lipopolysaccharide, 8-day-old mice were definitively protected against bacterial challenge by these glycopeptides. Therefore such molecules could have a great value in view of studying and correcting the neonate's unresponsiveness.