Blood group isoantibody stimulation in man by feeding blood group-active bacteria

Georg F. Springer; Richard E. Horton

doi:10.1172/JCI106094

Amendment history:

Errata (September 1969)

Blood group isoantibody stimulation in man by feeding blood group-active bacteria

Georg F. Springer and Richard E. Horton

Published July 1, 1969 - More info

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Abstract

It was investigated whether or not the human blood group isoantibodies A and B could be induced by immunogenic stimuli via natural routes with a kind of antigenic substance to which all humans are commonly exposed, or if the appearance of these antibodies is independent of antigenic stimuli as has long been believed.

Escherichia coli O₈₆, which possess high human blood group B and faint A activity in vitro, were fed to healthy humans and those with intestinal disorders. 80% of the sick individuals of blood group O and A responded with a significant rise of anti-B antibodies which was frequently de novo in infants; significant increase of anti-A isoantibodies among blood group O individuals was less frequent. Over one-third of the healthy individuals also had a significant isoantibody increase. Intestinal lesions favor isoantibody stimulation by intestinal bacteria; this view was supported by the study of control infants. Persons of blood group A responded more frequently with anti-B and anti-E. coli O₈₆ antibody production than those of blood group O. Isoantibody increase was accompanied with antibody rise against E. coli O₈₆. Inhalation of E. coli O₈₆ or blood group AH(O)-specific hog mucin also evoked isoantibodies.

The induced isoantibodies were specifically inhibited by small amounts of human blood group substances. E. coli O₈₆-induced anti-blood group antibodies in germ-free chickens and preexisting blood group antibodies in ordinary chickens were neutralized by intravenous injection of E. coli O₈₆ lipopolysaccharide.

This study demonstrates that human isoantibodies A and B are readily elicited via physiological routes, by blood group-active E. coli, provided the genetically determined apparatus of the host is responsive. Antibodies against a person's own blood group were not formed. Interpretation of these results permits some careful generalizations as to the origin of so-called natural antibodies.