CARBOHYDRATE-RECOGNITION BY MYCOPLASMA-PNEUMONIAE AND PATHOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in the human is often followed by a tr ansient autoimmune hemolytic disorder characterized by high titer auto antibodies to a carbohydrate antigen, the I antigen. Because the major host cell receptor for the Mycoplasma is the sialylated form of this antigen, it is likely that the immunologic disorder is initiated by th e microbe-saccharide interaction. Here we review briefly knowledge on the autoantibodies and the structures and distribution of the sacchari de antigens and receptors. We discuss possible mechanisms for the trig gering of autoantibody production and consider ways in which perturbat ion of various glycoprotein carriers of the carbohydrate ligands may e licit a variety of pathobiologic responses. We conclude by highlightin g ideas on further molecular dissections of the elements of the microb e-host interaction.