RESEARCH ARTICLE Complex of GM1- and GD1a-Like Lipo- Oligosaccharide Mimics GM1b, Inducing Anti- GM1b Antibodies

Objective Molecular mimicry between Campylobacter jejuni lipo-oligosaccharides (LOSs) and human gangliosides GM1 and GD1a induces the production of anti-GM1 and anti-GD1a antibodies, and the development of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Complexes of two different gangliosides form new molecular shapes capable of enhancing recognition by anti-ganglioside antibod-ies. To test the hypothesis that the complex of GM1-like and GD1a-like LOSs of C. jejuni in-duces the development of anti-GM1b antibodies in Guillain-Barré syndrome patients. Methods Mass spectrometry analysis determined the LOS outer core structures, with which mice were immunized. IgG antibodies to single gangliosides and complex of gangliosides were tested in sera from Guillain-Barré syndrome patients from whom C. jejuni LOS had been isolated. Results Two isolates from GBS patients who had anti-GM1b antibodies, but neither anti-GM1 nor-GD1a antibodies, expressed both GM1-like and GD1a-like LOSs, but not GM1b-like LOS