Anti-cardiolipin and anti-phosphatidylglycerol antibodies prepared against bacterial phospholipids.

Anti-phosphatidylglycerol and anti-cardiolipin antisera were prepared in rabbits by using phospholipids purified from Micrococcus lysodeikticus. Anti-phosphatidylglycerol antibodies were found in antisera when either phosphatidylglycerol or cardiolipin were used as immunogens, but adsorption studies indicated they were not similar. Antibodies which reacted with phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidic acid were also found in the anti-cardiolipin antiserum. Structures of the antigenic groups in phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin are suggested from cross-reaction and adsorption studies. Adsorption studies with pure phospholipid antigens indicated the importance of the spacial orientation of phospholipid haptens for immunological reactivity.