01727nas a2200301   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653001200055653002600067653002700093653002200120653002300142653002300165653002000188653001100208653001200219653002500231653002100256653001800277100001600295700001500311700001400326245011000340300001000450490000700460520094400467022001401411       1989                            d  c1989 Oct10aAnimals10aAntibodies, Bacterial10aAntibodies, Monoclonal10aAntigens, Surface10aBacterial Adhesion10aBacterial Vaccines10aCells, Cultured10aHumans10aleprosy10aMycobacterium leprae10aOpsonin Proteins10aSchwann Cells1 aChoudhury A1 aMistry N F1 aAntia N H00aBlocking of Mycobacterium leprae adherence to dissociated Schwann cells by anti-mycobacterial antibodies.  a505-90 v303 a<p>The association of Mycobacterium leprae with Schwann cells may represent an early crucial step in M. leprae pathogenesis. Using a dissociated Schwann-cell system and anti-mycobacterial monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies directed against surface and cytoplasmic components, we investigated the nature of M. leprae epitopes that mediate cytadhesion. Antibodies to polysaccharide and lipid components of M. leprae cell wall inhibited cytadhesion, whereas those directed against both surface and cytoplasmic protein epitopes did not show any such effect. No synergistic or antagonistic activity in inhibiting cytadhesion was observed when antibodies were used in combination. Thus, the association of M. leprae with Schwann cells may be mediated collectively by more than one of its lipid/polysaccharide epitopes. Also, a role for humoral immunity in intervention in the initial steps of M. leprae pathogenesis needs to be considered.</p>  a0300-9475