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Antigenicity and antigenic cross-reactivity of outer membrane proteins of Vibrio parahaemolyticus
1National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Beliaghata, Calcutta, India.
Abstract:
Antigenicity of outer membrane proteins was studied and compared between Kanagawa positive (clinical) and negative (environmental) strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Murine antibodies recognized a wide range of outer membrane proteins of Kanagawa negative strains as antigens with molecular masses ranging between 102 kDa to 14 kDa. However, only a few of the total outer membrane proteins of clinical isolates were antigenic and comprised a 55kDa protein as the major antigen. Although a marked difference in antigenicity was found, molecular masses of outer membrane proteins of Kanagawa positive and negative strains migrated similarly in SDS-PAGE. Several outer membrane proteins of Kanagawa-positive strains were found to be antigenic and ubiquitous in a cross-reactivity study indicating that the ubiquitous proteins which could not be recognized by anti-KP antibodies were buried in the outer membrane.
Insights
Outer membrane proteins of Vibrio parahaemolyticus differ in antigenicity between clinical and environmental strains. Clinical strains feature a major 55kDa antigen, while environmental strains show broader antigen recognition.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
Background:
- Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a significant foodborne pathogen.
- Distinguishing between clinical and environmental strains is crucial for public health.
- Outer membrane proteins (OMPs) play a key role in bacterial interactions and immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the antigenicity of outer membrane proteins (OMPs) between Kanagawa-positive (clinical) and Kanagawa-negative (environmental) strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus.
- To investigate the molecular masses and cross-reactivity of antigenic OMPs.
Main Methods:
- SDS-PAGE to analyze molecular masses of OMPs.
- Murine antibody-based assays to determine antigenicity.
- Cross-reactivity studies to assess antibody recognition of OMPs from different strains.
Main Results:
- Kanagawa-negative strains showed a broad range of antigenic OMPs (102 kDa to 14 kDa).
- Kanagawa-positive strains had limited antigenic OMPs, with a prominent 55 kDa protein.
- Despite antigenicity differences, OMP molecular masses were similar between strain types via SDS-PAGE.
- Ubiquitous OMPs in Kanagawa-positive strains were identified but not recognized by anti-KP antibodies, suggesting they are buried.
Conclusions:
- Significant differences exist in the antigenicity profiles of OMPs between clinical and environmental Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains.
- A 55 kDa OMP is a major antigen in clinical isolates, potentially important for diagnostics or therapeutics.
- The study highlights the complexity of OMP antigenicity and localization within Vibrio parahaemolyticus.