Skip to main content
PMC home page
Infection and Immunity logoLink to Infection and Immunity
. 1983 Oct;42(1):326–332. doi: 10.1128/iai.42.1.326-332.1983

Electron microscopic localization of receptors for aggregated beta 2-microglobulin on the surface of beta-hemolytic streptococci.

M Wagner, B Wagner, G Kronvall, L Björck
PMCID: PMC264561  PMID: 6352498

Abstract

The presence and location of receptors for aggregated human beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m) on the surface of group A, C, and G streptococci were studied by electron microscopic techniques. Ferritin-conjugated aggregates of human beta 2m were used in direct binding experiments. Ferritin-conjugated antibodies against beta 2m were employed in a two-step indirect binding assay where the streptococci were incubated with unlabeled beta 2m aggregates before the addition of antibodies. Similar results were obtained with these two methods. Among tested group C and G strains, some showed binding of beta 2m, whereas others were negative. In group A streptococci, beta 2m binding was localized to filamentous structures typical of M protein. In two M protein-negative group A strains, the reactivity was heterogeneous, revealing a majority of unlabeled, but also some heavily labeled streptococci. Morphologically, these beta 2m-binding bacteria exhibited M protein-like projections in contrast to the smooth surfaces of unlabeled cells.

Full text

PDF
326

Images in this article

327Image
on p.327
329Image
on p.329
330Image
on p.330
331Image
on p.331

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Berggård I., Bearn A. G. Isolation and properties of a low molecular weight beta-2-globulin occurring in human biological fluids. J Biol Chem. 1968 Aug 10;243(15):4095–4103. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Björck L., Cigén R., Berggård B., Löw B., Berggård I. Relationships between beta2-microglobulin and alloantigens coded for by the major histocompatibility complexes of the rabbit and the guinea pig. Scand J Immunol. 1977;6(10):1063–1069. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.1977.tb00342.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Björck L., Tylewska S. K., Wadström T., Kronvall G. beta 2-Microglobulin is bound to streptococcal M protein. Scand J Immunol. 1981;13(4):391–394. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.1981.tb00149.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. 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]
  5. Kronvall G. A surface component in group A, C, and G streptococci with non-immune reactivity for immunoglobulin G. J Immunol. 1973 Nov;111(5):1401–1406. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Kronvall G., Myhre E. B., Björck L., Berggård I. Binding of aggregated human beta2-microglobulin to surface protein structure in group A, C, and G streptococci. Infect Immun. 1978 Oct;22(1):136–142. doi: 10.1128/iai.22.1.136-142.1978. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Kronvall G., Schönbeck C., Myhre E. Fibrinogen binding structures in beta-hemolytic streptococci group A, C, and G. Comparisons with receptors for IgG and aggregated beta 2-microglobulin. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand B. 1979 Oct;87(5):303–310. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Kronvall G., Simmons A., Myhre E. B., Jonsson S. Specific absorption of human serum albumin, immunoglobulin A, and immunoglobulin G with selected strains of group A and G streptococci. Infect Immun. 1979 Jul;25(1):1–10. doi: 10.1128/iai.25.1.1-10.1979. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Köhler W., Prokop O. Relationship between haptoglobin and Streptococcus pyogenes T4 antigens. Nature. 1978 Jan 26;271(5643):373–373. doi: 10.1038/271373a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Myhre E. B., Kronvall G. Demonstration of specific binding sites for human serum albumin in group C and G streptococci. Infect Immun. 1980 Jan;27(1):6–14. doi: 10.1128/iai.27.1.6-14.1980. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Myhre E. B., Kronvall G. Heterogeneity of nonimmune immunoglobulin Fc reactivity among gram-positive cocci: description of three major types of receptors for human immunoglobulin G. Infect Immun. 1977 Sep;17(3):475–482. doi: 10.1128/iai.17.3.475-482.1977. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. RYTER A., KELLENBERGER E., BIRCHANDERSEN A., MAALOE O. Etude au microscope électronique de plasmas contenant de l'acide désoxyribonucliéique. I. Les nucléoides des bactéries en croissance active. Z Naturforsch B. 1958 Sep;13B(9):597–605. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Rýc M., Wagner M., Wagner B., Havlicek J. Electron microscopic study of the location of the Fc-reacting factor on group A streptococci. Microbios. 1982;34(135):7–15. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Schalén C. The group A streptococcal receptor for human IgA binds IgA via the Fc-fragment. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand C. 1980 Oct;88(5):271–274. doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1980.tb00105.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Swanson J., Hsu K. C., Gotschlich E. C. Electron microscopic studies on streptococci. I. M antigen. J Exp Med. 1969 Nov 1;130(5):1063–1091. doi: 10.1084/jem.130.5.1063. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Wagner B., Wagner M. Immunelektronenmikroskopischer Nachweis von Zellwandantigenen bei Streptokokken. I. Vergleichende Darstellung des M-Proteins von Streptococcus pyogenes mit ferritin-, peroxydase- und ferrocenmarkierten Antikörpern. Zentralbl Bakteriol Orig A. 1972 Dec;222(4):468–483. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Wagner B., Wagner M., Kubin V., Rýc M. Immunoelectron microscopic study of the location of group-specific and protein type-specific antigens of group B streptococci. J Gen Microbiol. 1980 May;118(1):95–105. doi: 10.1099/00221287-118-1-95. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Wagner M., Wagner B. Glutaraldehyd als Kupplungsagens für die Hertsellung ferritinmarkierter Antikörper. Zentralbl Bakteriol Orig A. 1972 Jul;221(1):100–105. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Wideback K., Kronvall G. Surface receptors for serum albumin in group C and G streptococci show three different types of albumin specificity. Infect Immun. 1982 Dec;38(3):1154–1163. doi: 10.1128/iai.38.3.1154-1163.1982. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Infection and Immunity are provided here courtesy of American Society for Microbiology (ASM)

RESOURCES