RESUMEN

The current study shows that Mycoplasma penetrans strain GTU binds human serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) and secretory IgA but not IgG. Binding of IgA was associated almost exclusively with the lipoprotein fraction obtained by Triton X-114 fractionation of isolated M. penetrans membranes. Western immunoblot analysis of isolated membranes of M. penetrans strain GTU and of the Triton X-114 fraction showed that the major IgA-binding component was a lipoprotein with a molecular mass of 38 kDa, one of the major lipoproteins of this organism. The authors suggest that the high IgA-binding capacity of M. penetrans strain GTU may serve as a defense mechanism, conferring on this microorganism the ability to evade clearance mediated by specific IgA antibodies.

Asunto(s)

Antígenos Bacterianos/inmunología , Antígenos de Superficie/inmunología , Inmunoglobulina A Secretora/inmunología , Inmunoglobulina A/inmunología , Infecciones por Mycoplasma/inmunología , Mycoplasma penetrans/inmunología , Adulto , Anciano , Proteínas de la Membrana Bacteriana Externa/aislamiento & purificación , Proteínas de la Membrana Bacteriana Externa/metabolismo , Fraccionamiento Celular , Humanos , Inmunidad Innata , Lactante , Lipoproteínas/química , Lipoproteínas/aislamiento & purificación , Lipoproteínas/metabolismo , Peso Molecular , Mycoplasma penetrans/química , Octoxinol , Polietilenglicoles