Carbohydrate Recognition by Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Pathologic Consequences

Abstract

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in the human is often followed by a transient autoimmune hemolytic disorder characterized by high titer autoantibodies 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 the microbe-saccharide interaction. Here we review briefly knowledge on the autoantibodies and the structures and distribution of the saccharide antigens and receptors. We discuss possible mechanisms for the triggering of autoantibody production and consider ways in which perturbation of various glycoprotein carriers of the carbohydrate ligands may elicit a variety of pathobiologic responses. We conclude by highlighting ideas on further molecular dissections of the elements of the microbe-host interaction.

Pathogenesis of extrapulmonary manifestations of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection with special reference to pneumonia

“…Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (cold agglutinin disease) is the most famous indirect-type extrapulmonary manifestation due to M. pneumoniae infection for which the pathomechanism has been established, involving a cross-reaction between glycolipid antigens of M. pneumoniae and the I antigen on the erythrocyte surface [22,[42][43][44].…”

Mycoplasma pneumoniae associated with severe autoimmune hemolytic anemia: case report and literature review

“…Cold agglutinins were presumed to cause antibody mediated hemolysis in 10% of the patients [4]. Nevertheless, severe hemolysis is exceptional [5,6]. We report a case of severe autoimmune hemolytic anemia secondary to Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in a 29-year-old man.…”

Binding of human cytomegalovirus to sulfated glucuronyl glycosphingolipids and their inhibitory effects on the infection.

“…The mechanism by which these auto-antibodies arise in M. pneumoniae infection is unknown. It has been suggested that the infective agent or its adhesins serve as immunological adjuvants for the host cell carbohydrate antigens (Feizi & Loveless, 1996). We raise the possibility that the anti-SGGL antibodies in the sera of patients might have been antiidiotypic antibodies.…”