K1 AND K3 CAPSULAR ANTIGENS OF KLEBSIELLA INDUCE TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR ACTIVITIES

Capsular polysaccharide antigens isolated from Klebsiella pneumoniae s ere-type 1 (K1) and sere-type 3 (K3) could induce tumor necrosis facto r-alpha in ICR mice. K1 and K3 capsular antigens were found to be non- toxic by brine shrimp bioassay. When injected into Ehrlich ascites tum or-bearing mice, both K1 and K3 capsular antigens exhibited significan t suppression in the growth of tumor cells. The significance of these observations is discussed.