Penn C W, Parsons N J, Veale D R, Smith H
J Gen Microbiol. 1980 Nov;121(1):195-202. doi: 10.1099/00221287-121-1-195.
A type-specific antigen of Neisseria gonorrhoeae was previously demonstrated by two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis, and was produced by strains adapted to growth in subcutaneous chambers in guinea pigs. This antigen was also present in 'smooth' (non-autoagglutinating) variants selected directly from the first agar cultures of three clinical isolates, without chamber passage. The type-specificity of this antigen paralleled the reactions of pili in immune electron microscopy, suggesting that the type-specific antigens were pili. However, 'rough' (autoagglutinating) variants lacking this type-specific antigen were nevertheless pilated. Examination of one strain by immune electron microscopy showed that the pili of the rough variant differed antigenically from those of the smooth variant. Pili on the rough variant tended to form extensive parallel aggregates, whereas pili on the smooth variant radiated individually from the gonococci. This physical difference might relate to the behaviour of the gonococci in suspension. The significance of pilus variation in immunity to gonococcal infection is discussed.
淋病奈瑟菌的一种型特异性抗原先前已通过二维免疫电泳得到证实，它由适应于在豚鼠皮下腔室中生长的菌株产生。这种抗原也存在于直接从三个临床分离株的首次琼脂培养物中挑选出的“光滑”（非自凝）变体中，未经过腔室传代。这种抗原的型特异性与免疫电子显微镜下菌毛的反应相似，提示型特异性抗原就是菌毛。然而，缺乏这种型特异性抗原的“粗糙”（自凝）变体仍然有菌毛。通过免疫电子显微镜对一个菌株进行检查发现，粗糙变体的菌毛在抗原性上与光滑变体的菌毛不同。粗糙变体上的菌毛倾向于形成广泛的平行聚集体，而光滑变体上的菌毛则从淋球菌单独放射状伸出。这种物理差异可能与淋球菌在悬液中的行为有关。文中讨论了菌毛变异在淋病奈瑟菌感染免疫中的意义。
