Defense Date

6-21-2004

Graduation Date

Summer 2004

Availability

Immediate Access

Submission Type

thesis

Degree Name

MS

Department

Biological Sciences

Committee Chair

Peter A. Castric

Committee Member

Jana Patton-Vogt

Committee Member

Kyle W. Selcer

Committee Member

Newsome

Keywords

glycan, pili, pilin, Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract

P. aeruginosa 1244 pilin is covalently modified with a carbohydrate moiety, which is structurally similar to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O-antigen repeating unit. Studies were conducted using transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with the monoclonal glycan-specific antibody, 11.14, to determine the location of the glycan. It was found that the glycan is evenly distributed over the entire surface of the pilin fiber and not restricted to the tip. The immunogenicity of the pilin glycan was also studied. Rabbits were immunized with pure LPS-free pili to determine if the pili produce anti-LPS antibodies. The serum obtained from the rabbits was analyzed using ELISA assay and was found to have a high titer of IgG anti-LPS antibodies. Mice were also immunized with pure reaggregated pili to determine a titer level to IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies. A response was seen with the IgM antibodies in the serum, however the levels were similar to the sham-immunized mice. Protection studies were also conducted using the rabbit serum to determine if there was serum resistance or PMN killing. There was no serum sensitivity or PMN killing detected in the strains tested.

Format

PDF

Language

English

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