Role for the S-layer of Campylobacter rectus ATCC33238 in complement mediated killing and phagocytic killing by leukocytes from guinea pig and human peripheral blood.

OBJECTIVE

The role of the S-layer of Campylobacter rectus ATCC 33238 in complement-mediated killing and interaction with leukocytes of the intraperitoneal cavity from guinea pigs and human peripheral blood was studied in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rabbit polyclonal anti-serum to whole C. rectus cells, a monoclonal antibody which recognizes 150 KDa S-layer protein antigen and a monoclonal antibody against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were prepared. Sensitivities of C. rectus cells against complement mediated killing and phagocytic killing by peritoneal leukocytes of guinea pig and human peripheral leukocytes were examined in the presence or absence of a specific antibody.

RESULTS

C. rectus ATCC 33238 cells were moderately sensitive to complement mediated killing in the presence of rabbit polyclonal antibody against whole cells, and slightly sensitive in the presence of monoclonal antibody against S-layer. Ingestion and phagocytic killing of C. rectus cells by leukocytes were enhanced by the rabbit anti-serum and monoclonal antibody against S-layer, but not by the monoclonal antibody against LPS, pre-immune rabbit serum or control ascites. Viability of leukocytes was dependent on the number of ingested C. rectus cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrates that S-layer possessing C. rectus cells are resistant to complement mediated killing and phagocytic killing by leukocytes in the absence of specific antibody.