BACTERIAL-ANTIGENS

GUNJAN BHATTACHARJEE BMTC Sem. III ROLL No. 2

INTRODUCTION
ANTIGENS..WHAT ARE THEY?
Any substance recognized by receptors of Bcells/T-cells when complexed with MHC proteins are ANTIGENS Eg. Proteins, Toxins, Simple molecules , Dust particle etc.

Bacterial Antigens
Any substance of bacterial origin that elicits immunological reaction in the subject is BACTERIAL ANTIGEN. They can be;
Polysaccharide Somatic antigen Flagellum antigen Protein

Classification
On a broad basis BACTERIAL-ANTIGENS are classified as;
Endotoxins : Generally used to refer to the thermostable polysaccharide toxin firmly bound to the bacterial cell and sectreted in the external environment. Exotoxins: These are heat-labile , soluble, proteins released in the surroundings as the BACTERIAL PATHOGEN.

ENDOTOXIN
Produced by Gram-negative bacterial strains. Released in the external environment after the cell LYSES. Can also be released during bacterial multiplication. Lipid by nature. The LPS membrane acts as the toxic material.

PROPERTIES
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Heat stable Toxic(in nanogram amounts) Weakly immunogenic Generally similar, despite the source of origin Capable of producing systemic effects: fever, inflammation, fibrinolysis, intestinal hemorrhage.

Properties
The toxic component of the LPS is the lipid portion(Lipid A). It is a complex array of lipid residues. Lipid A exhibits all the properties associated with endotoxicity. The biological effect of lipid A is indirect mediated by host molecules and systems rather than by lipid A. Also known to induce fever in the host by causing the release of ENDOGENOUS PYROGENS that reset the hypothalamic thermostat. Eg. Cytokine interleukin-1(IL-1)

 The LPS affects macrophages, monocytes, and neutrophils by binding to the soluble pattern recognition receptor for transfer to the membranebound CD14 on these cells. LPS-bound CD14 cells then complexes with toll like receptors (TLR-4)initiating a signaling process that up regulates the phagocyte response to LPS. Response in the form of release of cytokines, tumor necrosis factor, resulting in fever inflammation, compliment activation.

Mechanism of action

Mechanism of endotoxin

 Produced in some bacterias as a part of their metabolism and secreted into the medium or released followed by lysis. Exotoxin are proteins by nature and because of their enzymatic nature even small amounts are quite harmful since they can over and over again. Produced by gram negative and gram positive bacterias. The genes of exotoxin are carried on bacterial plasmid and since they easily diffuse in body fluids they are easily transported thorough out the body.

EXOTOXIN

Types of exotoxin
The classification of the exotoxins are made on the basis of their structure and function.
A-B toxin:
E.g. Diphtheria toxin

Specific-Host site exotoxins:

E.g. Neurotoxin, enterotoxin, cytotoxin.

Membrane disrupting toxins

Superantigens

Mechanism of action

Mechanism of action
1. The toxin released from the bacterium and the B part attaches to the host cell receptor on the target cell e.g. Gangliosides GM1 for cholera toxin. 2. Several theories are proposed for the entry of the A subunit. The B subunit creates a pore through which A subunit enters, another is the entry by receptor mediation. 3. The A component alters the functioning of the host cell(inhibiting the protein synthesis); B component released from the host cell, the receptors is inserted into the plasma membrane for reuse.

Membrane disrupting toxin

Disrupting the plasma membrane, can be accomplished by protein channel formation, disruption of phospholipid portion. e.g. Staphylococcus aureus toxin is an example of plasma membrane disrupting toxin and Clostridium perfringes toxin is an example of phospholipid disrupting toxin. Membrane disrupting toxin killing phagocytic leucocytes are leucocidins, they act by forming protein channels Most leucocidins are produced by staphylococci and streptococci. Membrane disrupting toxin that destroys erythrocytes are called heamolysins. Produced by staphylococci and streptococci.

Superantigens
They provoke very intense immune response. These antigens nonspecifically stimulates the proliferation of immune cells(T-cells). Type of WBC that act against foreign organism and tissues and regulate the activation of and proliferation of various cells In response to superantigens, T-cells produce large amounts of cytokines. The high levels of cytokines released enter the bloodstream and gives rise to no. of symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, shock or even death in some cases. E.g Staphylococcal toxin that causes food poisoning and toxic-shock syndrome.

References
Microbiology: Prescott, Harley, and Klein(7th edition),chapter 33, Page-824-30. Microbiology : Tortora, Funke, and Chase(10th edition), chapter 15, Page-434-39.