Antigenic analysis of Pasteurella multocida (serotype 1) by crossed immunoelectrophoresis: characterization of whole cell associated antigens

Abstract

Crossed immunoelectrophoresis and other related quantitative immunoelectrophoretic techniques have been used to elucidate the antigenic complexity of a reference preparation of capsular extract, potassium thiocyanate extract, lipopolysaccharide, heat-stable antigens, and free endotoxin from Pasteurella multocida serotype 1. The reactions of these cellular fractions, in crossed immunoelectrophoresis, with reference anti-whole cell immunoglobulins disclosed five antigens in the capsular extract, seven in the potassium thiocyanate extract, one to three in the lipopolysaccharide, three in the heat-stable antigens, and five in the free endoxin. Comparison of these reference antigen–antibody systems, in crossed immunoelectrophoresis, with intermediate gel containing either a reference anti-cell envelope or anticytoplasmic immunoglobulins not only revealed the presence of additional antigens but also gave insight into the probable cellular origins (i.e., cell surface, cell envelope, or cytoplasm) of various antigens unveiled by reference anti-whole cell immunoglobulins. Using the principle of tandem crossed immunoelectrophoresis and crossed-line immunoelectrophoresis the immunochemical relationships between the antigenic components of these reference antigen–antibody systems were established.