HEMAGGLUTINATION INHIBITION AND AGGREGATION OF FUSOBACTERIUM-NUCLEATUM BY HUMAN SALIVARY MUCINOUS GLYCOPROTEINS

Whole human unstimulated saliva, parotid saliva and a mucinous fraction resulting from (NH4)2SO4 saturation of saliva showed aggregation of suspensions of Fusobacterium nucleatum and inhibition of its characteristic haemagglutination. This aggregation was inhibited by d-galactose and EDTA but glucose had no effect. Secretory IgA in the mucinous fraction was bound to the bacterial cell aggregates; Sephadex 4B chromatography separated S-IgA from those fractions displaying haemagglutination inhibition and aggregation activity. The active fractions contained high molecular weight mucinous glycoproteins with receptors similar to those for the haemagglutination active moiety on human cells. Salivary mucinous glycoproteins may thus play a role in the colonization of oral fusobacteria. © 1979.