Role of outer membrane proteins in immunity against murine salmonellosis--1. Antibody response to crude outer membrane proteins of Salmonella typhimurium.

The humoral immune response to crude outer membrane proteins (comp) of S. typhimurium in mice has been characterized. Maximal and quicker antibody response was observed when 50 micrograms of comp was injected intraperitoneally. The comp of smooth C5 strain of S. typhimurium evoked antibody response to both lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and proteins. Absorption of these sera with LPS coated erythrocytes eliminated the antibodies to LPS completely, while the antibody level to protein was left unaltered. The comp from rough mutant (lacking O-specific chain of LPS) of S. typhimurium elicited antibodies to proteins but not to LPS. These results indicate the concomitant production of antibodies to Salmonella outer membrane proteins also. The significance of such antibodies in protection and diagnosis has been discussed.