Abstract
Specific but nonimmunologic reaction between staphylococcal protein A and the Fc portion of gamma globulin provided the basis for ultrastructural studies to determine the localization of protein A, using intact staphylococci and labeled myeloma gamma G-globulin. Protein A appeared to be part of the outermost layer of the staphylococcal cell wall. Strains with protein A demonstrated a coating of myeloma globulin over the entire bacterial surface. There was no coating of strains without protein A. Identification of protein A on the surface of the staphylococcal cell wall provides evidence that this may be the first material in contact with host environment. It probably accounts for apparent cross-reactions of staphylococci with antibodies to many antigens. More importantly, even in the nonimmune host protein A immunoglobulin reactivity may initiate complement activation and inflammatory reactions including chemotaxis and pus formation.
Full Text
The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (653.7 KB).
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Avrameas S. Coupling of enzymes to proteins with glutaraldehyde. Use of the conjugates for the detection of antigens and antibodies. Immunochemistry. 1969 Jan;6(1):43–52. doi: 10.1016/0019-2791(69)90177-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Bergman S., Forsgren A., Swahn B. Effect of normally occurring rabbit antibodies on fluorescent-antibody reactions. J Bacteriol. 1966 Apr;91(4):1664–1665. doi: 10.1128/jb.91.4.1664-1665.1966. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Daugharty H., Martin R. R., White A. Antibodies against staphylococcal teichoic acids and type-specific antigens in man. J Immunol. 1967 Jun;98(6):1123–1129. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Forsgren A., Sjöquist J. "Protein A" from S. aureus. I. Pseudo-immune reaction with human gamma-globulin. J Immunol. 1966 Dec;97(6):822–827. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Gustafson G. T., Sjöquist J., Stålenheim G. "Protein A" from Staphylococcus aureus. II. Arthus-like reaction produced in rabbits by interaction of protein A and human gamma-globulin. J Immunol. 1967 Jun;98(6):1178–1181. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Haukenes G. Serological typing of Staphylococcus aureus. 7. Technical aspects. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand. 1967;70(4):590–600. doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1967.tb01328.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- James A. M., Brewer J. E. A protein component of the cell surface of Staphylococcus aureus. Biochem J. 1968 Jun;108(2):257–262. doi: 10.1042/bj1080257. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- KENDRICK P. L., ELDERING G., EVELAND W. C. Fluorescent antibody techniques. Methods for identification of Bordetella pertussis. Am J Dis Child. 1961 Feb;101:149–154. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Kronvall G., Williams R. C., Jr Differences in anti-protein A activity among IgG subgroups. J Immunol. 1969 Oct;103(4):828–833. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Lind I., Mansa B. Further investigation of specific and non-specific adsorption of serum globulins to Staphylococcus aureus. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand. 1968;73(4):637–645. doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1968.tb03221.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Martin R. R., Crowder J. G., White A. Human reactions to staphylococcal antigens. A possible role of leukocyte lysosomal enzymes. J Immunol. 1967 Aug;99(2):269–275. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- OEDING P., GROV A., MYKLESTAD B. IMMUNOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON ANTIGEN PREPARATIONS FROM STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS. 2. PRECIPITATING AND ERYTHROCYTE-SENSITIZING PROPERTIES OF PROTEIN A (ANTIGEN A) AND RELATED SUBSTANCES. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand. 1964;62:117–127. doi: 10.1111/apm.1964.62.1.117. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Sjöquist J., Stålenheim G. Protein A from Staphylococcus aureus. IX. Complement-fixing activity of protein A-IgG complexes. J Immunol. 1969 Sep;103(3):467–473. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- White J. G. Fine structural alterations induced in platelets by adenosine diphosphate. Blood. 1968 May;31(5):604–622. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- YOSHIDA A., MUDD S., LENHART N. A. THE COMMON PROTEIN AGGLUTINOGEN OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS. II. PURIFICATION, CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION, AND SEROLOGIC COMPARISON WITH JENSEN'S ANTIGEN. J Immunol. 1963 Dec;91:777–782. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]