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Influence Of O and K Antigens On The Surface Properties Of Escherichia Coli In Relation To Phagocytosis
Author(s) -
Stendahl O.,
Normann B.,
Edebo L.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
acta pathologica microbiologica scandinavica section b microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.909
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1600-0463
pISSN - 0304-131X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1979.tb02408.x
Subject(s) - phagocytosis , antigen , escherichia coli , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , biology , biochemistry , immunology , gene
Strains of Escherichia coli with different O and K antigens were investigated with respect to physicochemical surface characteristics and liability to phagocytosis. Using two‐phase partitioning analysis for the surface characterization, three main groups of strains emerged: Group I (O1:K1, O2:K1, O3:K2ab) showing both smooth hydrophilic O antigens and negatively‐charged K antigen which rendered the strains maximally resistant to phagocytosis. Group II (O55:K59, O111:K58) showed no acidic K antigen but only smooth hydrophilic O antigen properties. However, these strains were as resistant to phagocytosis as the strains in group I. A third group (O14:K7, O24:K +) contained strains with rough, hydrophobic O antigen and negatively‐charged K antigen. When the K antigen was removed by heat treatment these strains became more sensitive to phagocytosis. Certain other strains (O28:K‐, O56:K + and O118:K‐) did not fit into the three groups. These experiments show that the physicochemical surface effects and biological significance of the K antigen must be evaluated in relation to the properties conveyed by the corresponding O antigens.