Cell-Bound Antibodies to Streptococcal Cell-Wall Preparations

Abstract

The walls of streptococci may be considered to have three layers: mucopeptide, polysaccharide, and protein. The mucopeptide is apparently a framework upon which the remainder of the wall is built; it is probably not immunospecific for any of the streptococcal groups. Differences in the structure of the polysaccharide form the basis for the valuable Lancefield serologic classification of haemolytic streptococci. Group A streptococci are responsible for the development of many human diseases, including streptococcal pharyngitis, tonsillitis, rheumatic fever and nephritis. The detailed structure of the protein layer of Group A streptococci is not known, but three protein constituents have been identified, i.e., M-, T-, and R-protein, which are lacking in most of the other groups. Among Group A streptococci there are more than 40 recognized immunologically specific types of M-protein. Type-specific, and group-specific serum antibody formation detectable by serologic methods usually develops after human streptococcal infection but no cytophilic antibodies have been demonstrated against the group-specific and type-specific components of the streptococcal cell-wall.

These investigations were supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.