Cross-reactions between the Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein and Escherichia coli.

Weak cross-reactions were demonstrated between the Tamm-Horsfall (TH) glycoprotein and antigens in the supernatants of boiled Escherichia coli R1-R4 strains using an inhibitory ELISA system. No cross-reactions could be determined between the purified R1-R4 lipopolysaccharides and the TH protein. Neither could any inhibition be recorded after trypsin treatment, indicating that the cross-reacting substance is protein in nature. The cross-reactions were verified by immunoprecipitation techniques. The biological relevance of the cross-reaction between E. coli and the TH protein particularly as an event inducing the formation of autoantibodies to the TH protein is discussed.