Biological effects of anti-lipid and anti-protein monoclonal antibodies on Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Monoclonal antibodies directed against Mycoplasma pneumoniae surface components were examined for their ability to block mycoplasma attachment to chicken erythrocytes. Purified preparations of antibodies which recognize the major mycoplasma ligand mediating cytadherence (protein P1, 165 kilodaltons) inhibited attachment by more than 85% of the control values. Monoclonal antibodies reactive with two other surface proteins of 110 and 32 kilodaltons also blocked attachment. Surprisingly, monoclonal antibodies specific for M. pneumoniae lipids (J. Morrison-Plummer, D.H. Jones, and J.B. Baseman, J. Immunol. Methods 64:165-178, 1983) enhanced mycoplasma-erythrocyte binding. All antibodies examined had no effect on thymidine incorporation by M. pneumoniae.