Campylobacter jejuni lipopolysaccharides from Guillain–Barré syndrome patients induce IgG anti-GM1 antibodies in rabbits

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from Campylobacter jejuni strains isolated from patients with Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) display molecular mimicry with GM1. We immunized rabbits with C. jejuni LPS from GBS-associated strains containing a GM1-like epitope. All animals produced high titre anti-LPS antibodies that were cross-reactive with GM1. We conclude that C. jejuni strains from GBS patients are able to induce antibodies that cross-react with gangliosides and LPS. This study further confirms the role of molecular mimicry in the induction of anti-ganglioside antibodies in GBS patients.