Abstract
Bacillus anthracis elaborates a homopolymeric capsule composed of gamma-D-glutamic acid residues. Mice were immunized with formalin-fixed encapsulated B. anthracis bacilli, and the serum antibody response to a gamma-D-glutamyl capsular epitope was measured. Antiglutamyl antibodies were elicited in athymic BALB/c Nu/Nu, BALB/c Nu/+, and CBA/J mice but not in CBA/N xid mice. These response patterns define the capsule of B. anthracis as a thymus-independent type 2 antigen.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Anthrax / immunology
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Anthrax / prevention & control
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Anthrax Vaccines
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Antibodies, Bacterial / blood*
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Antigens, T-Independent / immunology*
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Bacillus anthracis / immunology*
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Bacterial Capsules / chemistry
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Bacterial Capsules / immunology*
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Glutamic Acid / immunology
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Immunization
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Mice, Inbred CBA
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Mice, Nude
Substances
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Anthrax Vaccines
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Antibodies, Bacterial
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Antigens, T-Independent
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Glutamic Acid