Comparative Antigenicity of Native and "Desialized"Orosomucoid in Rabbits.

Abstract

Removal of sialic acid from the human serum glycoprotein orosomucoid (OM), by influenza virus neuraminidase, results in significantly increased antigenicity of this glycoprotein in the rabbit. The antigens were injected intramuscularly in two groups of 9 rabbits, using Freund''s adjuvant. Native and desialized OM react in a qualitatively and quantitatively similar manner with antibodies to the normal or desialized antigen. Thus the sialic acid, although a terminal sugar, is not an important antigenic determinant group.