Summary auto-generated
This research article investigates immune responses in mice exposed to different Yersinia pestis strains, focusing on antibody production and cellular immunity. The study examined four Y. pestis variants (designated strains 1, 4, 14, and 18) using serological and immunological methods. Mice were challenged with these strains, and researchers measured antibody titers using ELISA and analyzed immune cell responses. The results showed varying immune responses depending on the Y. pestis strain used, with some strains eliciting stronger antibody responses than others. Notably, strain 14 demonstrated distinct immunogenic properties, triggering both humoral and cellular immune responses. The study also evaluated the protective capacity of immune sera against subsequent bacterial challenges. Analysis of T-cell responses revealed different patterns of activation and cytokine production among groups exposed to different strains. The findings suggest that Y. pestis strain variation significantly influences the type and magnitude of immune responses generated in infected hosts, which has implications for understanding pathogenesis and developing plague vaccines.
Key findings
- Different Y. pestis strains elicit varying antibody responses in mice, with strain 14 showing particularly strong immunogenic properties
- Immune responses include both humoral (antibody) and cellular (T-cell) components that vary by bacterial strain
- Strain-specific differences in immune response patterns suggest Y. pestis genetic variation influences host immunity
- Antibody titers and immune activation levels correlated with the specific Y. pestis strain challenge used in experiments
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Abstract
A novel method of cultivation of Yersinia pestis EV-76 and its isogenic strains KM-217 (pPst-;pCad+;pFra-) and KM-218 (pPst-;pCad-;pFra-) and careful extraction of Y. pestis proteins (YPPs) permitted isolation of >35 low Ca2+ response plasmid (pLCR)-encoded products, some of which are potentially new members of the LCR family. Immunisation with each YPP demonstrated that 25-, 54-, 72- and 87-kDa YPPs provided the highest level of protection in mice challenged with Y. pestis virulent strain 231. Their immunological relationship was established with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and revealed several common properties, including oligosaccharide binding with specificity for N-acetylglucosamine. Affinity chromatography with MAb to the 25-kDa YPP permitted purification of the relevant antigen and its precursor. Their existence in the form of a complicated protein molecule was shown.