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Genetic influences on the immune response of rats to streptococcal A carbohydrate

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Abstract

Selective breeding of Sprague-Dawley rats immunized with group A streptococcal vaccine (GASV) revealed genetic influences on the magnitude of the precipitin response to streptococcal group A carbohydrate (SACHO). After four brother-sister inbreedings, a family of low-precipitin responders (LPR) was segregated from a family of high-precipitin responders (HPR). Precipitin analysis of all four generations of rats bred for low-precipitin responses revealed an earlier influence of inbreeding on the secondary as compared to the primary precipitin response. Prolonged immunization and/or variation in the dose of antigen failed to enhance the magnitude of the precipitin response of LPR. Examination of anti-SACHO antisera for cross-specificity revealed A-variant carbohydrate precipitins in only 1%. This system may offer an opportunity to examine the clinical relevance of anti-SACHO antibodies to rheumatic heart disease.

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Abbreviations

B cell:

bone marrow-derived lymphocyte

GASV:

group A streptococcal vaccine

HPR:

high-precipitin responders

LPR:

low-precipitin responders

SACHO:

streptococcal group A carbohydrate

T cell:

thymus-derived lymphocyte

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oregon Medical School, 97201, Portland, Oregon

    Richard P. Stankus & Gerrie A. Leslie

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  1. Richard P. Stankus
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  2. Gerrie A. Leslie
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Stankus, R.P., Leslie, G.A. Genetic influences on the immune response of rats to streptococcal A carbohydrate. Immunogenetics 2, 29–38 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01572272

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01572272

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