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Granuloma formation by muramyl dipeptide associated with branched fatty acids, a structure probably essential for tubercle formation by Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Granuloma formation by muramyl dipeptide associated with branched fatty acids, a structure probably essential for tubercle formation by Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Authors :
Shigeki Nagao
K Emori
Shozo Kotani
Tetsuo Shiba
N Shigematsu
Masahiko Tsujimoto
Shoichi Kusumoto
A Tanaka
Source :
Infection and immunity. 49(1)
Publication Year :
1985

Abstract

Muramyl dipeptide, which does not induce epithelioid granuloma when injected alone dissolved in phosphate-buffered saline, could induce extensive granulomas in guinea pigs when chemically conjugated with branched, but not linear, fatty acids. Peptidoglycan fragments of Staphylococcus epidermidis could evoke epithelioid granulomas when incorporated in a water-in-oil emulsion. These findings suggest the importance of a lipid bound to muramyl dipeptide for granuloma formation. In view of the fact that mycobacteria uniquely contain large amounts of branched fatty acids, it was proposed that the complex of muramyl dipeptide and branched fatty acids, mostly mycolic acids, is a structure in tubercle bacilli responsible for tubercle formation.

Details

ISSN :
00199567
Volume :
49
Issue :
1
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Infection and immunity
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....6ce558a5508d6b07f28c71485d01b407