Some aspects of the immune response of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) and in vitro neutralization of chlamydia psittaci (koala strains) |
| |
Authors: | Adeeb A Girjes William AH Ellis Frank N Carrick Martin F Lavin |
| |
Institution: | Koala Study Program, Department of Zoology, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Australia;Queensland Cancer Fund Research Unit, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, The Bancroft Centre, Brisbane, Australia |
| |
Abstract: | Abstract Western-blot analysis was used to study the reaction of koala antisera, two specific polyclonal antibodies and one monoclonal antibody, with chlamydial antigens in koalas infected with Chlamydia psittaci . The koala sera recognized four C. psittaci surface antigens, corresponding to the major outer membrane protein (39.5 kDa), 31 kDa protein, 18 kDa protein and lipopolysaccharide. The S25-23 LPS specific monoclonal antibody inhibited chlamydial infection (55–67%) with both koala strains (type I and type II). Both koala antiserum and rabbit polyclonal antibodies against either type of chlamydia significantly reduced the number of infected cells resulting from type II infections at a dilution of 1 in 20. Rabbit antiserum against type II was effective in neutralizing infection by type II elementary bodies, but was less effective against type I infection. In addition, no koala antiserum was effective in neutralizing type I infection. |
| |
Keywords: | Chlamydia psittaci antigen Koala immune response Immunoblotting Neutralization in vitro |
|
|