Induction of anti-pneumococcal cell wall polysaccharide antibodies by type 4 pneumococcal polysaccharide-protein conjugates.

We have prepared polysaccharide-protein conjugates consisting of type 4 pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide (PS4) coupled to tetanus toxoid. The PS4 preparation used contained 2.5% pneumococcal cell wall polysaccharide (CPs). During the conjugation process, in addition to PS4-protein conjugates, CPs-protein conjugates were also formed. After immunization with PS4-protein conjugates, CPs-protein conjugates that are present as a contaminant induce IgG anti-CPs antibodies in mice. Pneumococcal oligosaccharides, prepared by periodate oxidation of PS4, did not contain detectable amounts of CPs; hence, oligosaccharide-protein conjugates did not induce anti-CPs antibodies.