Selective association of murine T lymphoblastoid cell surface alloantigens with Mycoplasma hyorhinis.

Abstract

Mycoplasma hyorhinis, isolated by isopycnic centrifugation from supernatants of a persistently infected murine T lymphoblastoid cell line, demonstrated the presence of the Thy-1.1 differentiation alloantigen and H-2Kk histocompatibility antigens. The murine leukemia virus-related gp70 antigen also present on the surface of these lymphoblastoid cells was absent from mycoplasma preparations. Quantitative assessment of Thy-1.I present in preparations of M. hyorhinis revealed a specific activity eater or alto that of membrane preparations from lymphoblastoid cels, suggesting a marked accumulation of this T lymphocyte antigen by membrane-associated mycoplasmas. The accumulation of the Thy-1.1 antigen in association with purified mycoplasmas was also demonstrated in lymphoblastoid cells experimentally infected with a defined culture of M. hyorhinis.

Interaction of Mycoplasma Pulmonis With Mouse Peritoneal Macrophages and Polymorphonuclear Leucocytes

“…Possible explanations for these differences are (1) that the uptake of both mycoplasma preparations by macrophages is the same, but the intracellular killing of in-vivo-grown organisms is less efficient as seen for in-vivo-grown Neisseria gonorrhoeae in human phagocytes (Witt et al, 1976); (2) that there may be changes in the antigenic structure of mycoplasmas replicating in vivo, or (3) that host material or non-opsonic antibody or both may be bound to the mycoplasma and inhibit the attachment of opsonic antibody to the organism. There is some evidence that mycoplasmas can selectively "acquire" host antigens, and these may hinder their recognition by the host's defence mechanisms (Wise, Cassell and Acton, 1978).…”

Complement-mediated Killing of Ureaplasma Urealyticum by Antibody Directed Against Components of the Growth Medium

“…Contamination of washed mycoplasmal cells with serum proteins from culture medium is a frequent problem in the preparation of specific mycoplasma antisera (Kenny, 1979). Although co-precipitation of specific serum proteins with mycoplasmal cells during preparative centrifugation can contribute to this problem (Yaguzhinskaya, 1976), selective associations of cells with some proteins might occur during cultivation (Wise, Cassell and Acton, 1978). Thus, M .…”

Mycoplasma infections as models of chronic joint inflammation

“…After attachment to the lymphocyte surface, a capping reaction occurs and the cap is eventually shed (29). The additional finding that mycoplasmas grown in the presence of lymphoid cells acquire Thy 1 and H2 antigens suggests that the organisms may actively attach at these sites (30). The significance of this reaction will be discussed later.…”

“…There is also evidence that mycoplasmas can adsorb host proteins into their own membranes (43). The recent finding that the host's histocompatibility antigens can also become associated with mycoplasma membranes provides a unique opportunity for evasion of host defenses (30). It is interesting that in many of the hosts in which mycoplasmas persist, the neutralizing antibody response against the organism is weak or absent (1).…”