Adjuvant Properties of Bacterial Cell Wall Mucopeptides

Abstract

Antibody production in rabbits against BSA, as measured by passive hemagglutination, gel diffusion and skin reaction, is enhanced when injected with saline suspensions of mucopeptide derived from the cell walls of β-hemolytic streptococci. The mucopeptide is more effective than comparable doses of cell walls or soluble cell extract. The best antibody response is obtained when the interval between mucopeptide and antigen injections is less than 24 hr. The adjuvant effect is local rather than systemic, since the antigen must be injected into the same skin site as mucopeptide. The mucopeptide has no effect on the immunoglobulin category in which antibody is found.