Opsonophagocytic killing activity of rabbit antibody to Pseudomonas aeruginosa mucoid exopolysaccharide.

We used an in vitro opsonophagocytic killing assay to measure the functional activity of antibody directed at the mucoid exopolysaccharide (MEP) antigen expressed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from cystic fibrosis patients. Rabbit antibodies raised to purified MEP were able to mediate phagocytic killing in the presence of human peripheral blood leukocytes and a low level (final concentration, 0.3%) of fresh normal human serum as a complement source. No bacterial killing was observed when peripheral blood leukocytes, antiserum, or complement was omitted. Specificity of the antibody for the MEP antigen was shown by adsorption and inhibition assays. Affinity-purified antibody to MEP also mediate phagocytic killing. These data indicate that antiphagocytic properties attributable to MEP can be overcome by specific antibody.