Exposed and hidden lectin-binding epitopes at the surface of Borrelia burgdorferi

The presence of surface- and subsurface-located lectin-binding epitopes of Borrelia burgdorferi was examined by electron microscopy using a variety of gold-labeled lectins. Concanavalin A reacted predominantly with extracellular material adjacent to the spirochetes. Wheat germ agglutinin bound weakly to the surface of borreliae; however, alterations of the outer membrane by preincubation in 100 ppm Triton X-100 or boiling uncovered numerous periplasmic sites recognized by the lectin. The periplasmic flagella liberated by some cells after detergent treatment were labeled with concanavalin A, wheat germ agglutinin and Ulex europaeus agglutinin UEA-I. No surface-exposed or periplasmic epitopes for the lectins from Glycine max, Dolichos biflorus or Helix pomatia were detected.