Cross-reactivity between the mannan of Candida species, Klebsiella K24 polysaccharide and Salmonella C1 and E O-antigens is mediated by a terminal non-reducing beta-mannosyl residue.

Rat monoclonal antibody MASC1-MR9 (MR9) binds to a mannan of Candida species and the O-antigenic polysaccharides of Salmonella bacteria of serogroups C1 (CO) and E (EO). Mannan and glycoconjugates comprising BSA and O-antigen polysaccharides, decasaccharide-BSA (CO-BSA) or trisaccharide-BSA (EO-BSA), inhibited each other's reactivity with MR9. The saccharides beta-D-Manp-(1-->6)-alpha-D-Manp-1-OMe, beta-D-Manp(1-->3)-alpha-D-Manp-1-OMe, beta-D-Manp(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-1-OMe (corresponds to the terminal non-reducing end of Salmonella serogroup C1 O-antigen) and beta-D-Manp(1-->4)-alpha-L-Rhap(1-->3)-alpha-D-Galp-1-O-p-++ +trifluoroacetamido aniline (corresponds to the backbone of Salmonella serogroup E O-antigen) inhibited the binding of MR9 to these antigens whereas alpha-D-Manp(1-->3)-alpha-D-Manp-1-OMe and alpha-D-Manp(1-->4)-alpha-L- Rhap-1-O-p-nitrophenyl did not. Saccharides (3-10 residues) of mammalian origin with terminal and internal Manp alpha-1-->2, Manp alpha-1-->3 and Manp alpha-1-->6 residues also failed to inhibit at any concentration. None of the saccharides with internal beta-mannosyl residue was able to inhibit the MR9 antibody. Monosaccharides D-mannose, beta-D-Manp-1-OMe and 1,5 anhydro-D-mannitol inhibited the MR9 monoclonal antibody whereas alpha-D-Manp-1-OMe, beta-D-Glcp-1-OMe, and beta-D-Galp-1-OMe did not. In addition a Klebsiella K24 capsular polysaccharide containing a beta-D-Manp(1-->4)-alpha-D- GlcA (GlcA, glucuronic acid) as a structural element possessed an inhibitory activity. MR9 therefore recognizes an epitope within beta-mannose monosaccharide residues at the terminal non-reducing ends of carbohydrate chains in mannan, and polysaccharides in Salmonella serogroups CO and EO and Klebsiella K24.