Epitopes on the S1 subunit of pertussis toxin recognized by monoclonal antibodies.

To identify the neutralizing epitopes on the S1 subunit (A promoter) of pertussis toxin, we characterized anti-S1 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) X2X5, 3CX4, and 6FX1. We confirmed by immunoblot analysis that these MAbs bind to the S1 subunit and not to the B oligomer of pertussis toxin and that they recognize different epitopes by a competitive binding enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. These MAbs had differential abilities to neutralize the lymphocytosis-promoting factor activity of pertussis toxin in mice: 3CX4 and 6FX1 had partial neutralizing abilities, while MAb X2X5 had none. With these MAbs, the epitopes on the S1 subunit were examined by using trypsinized S1 peptides, recombinant truncated S1 molecules, and synthetic peptides. The non-neutralizing MAb X2X5 bound in immunoblots to tryptic peptides of various sizes as small as 1.5 kilodaltons; the neutralizing MAbs 3CX4 and 6FX1 bound only to a 24-kilodalton tryptic peptide band. Immunoblot studies with recombinant truncated S1 molecules demonstrated that amino acid residues 7 to 14 and 15 to 26 play an important role in the binding of neutralizing MAbs and the non-neutralizing MAb, respectively. The binding of these MAbs was not dependent upon the presence of C-terminal amino acid residues 188 to 234. To further define B-cell epitopes, the binding of the MAbs we tested to synthetic peptides representing the entire S1 subunit were examined. Neutralizing MAbs 3CX4 and 6FX1 bound to none of these peptides, further suggesting that these MAbs recognize conformational epitopes. The non-neutralizing MAb X2X5 bound to peptides 11 to 26 and 16 to 30, demonstrating that the major antigenic determinant recognized by this MAb is a linear epitope located within residues 16 to 26.     

Rapid grouping of monoclonal antibodies based on their topographical epitopes by a label-free competitive immunoassay

Topography of epitopes of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), identified as the mutual competition of the MAbs, can be valuable indicators for the biological functions of MAbs. However, the determination of topographical epitopes is not performed before the functional screening of MAbs, because the requirement for purifying and labeling of MAbs makes the mapping experiment difficult, particularly in the early stage of MAb production. Here we describe a new label-free competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (LFC-ELISA) for the rapid grouping of MAbs based on the topography of their epitopes. In the LFC-ELISA, the immune complex formed by a competitor, MAb#2, and an antigen is challenged by an indicator, MAb#1 that had been captured on the ELISA plate through a secondary antibody. The MAb#2-antigen immune complex is trapped by MAb#1 only if MAb#1 reacts with an epitope different from that of MAb#2. The immune complex (MAb#2-antigen-MAb#1) is detected with an enzyme-labeled reagent specific to a tag on the antigen. Our experiments using different anti-CD30 MAbs and a CD30-Fc fusion protein as the antigen revealed that the LFC-ELISA performed well with MAbs of different isotypes (IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b), and in a practical range of MAb concentrations (0.3-10 microg/ml) and affinities (0.9-13 nM of Kd). We obtained pairwise competition data from all 26 anti-CD30 MAbs. We then utilized a cluster analysis and a bootstrap method to analyze the competition data for grouping of the MAbs. This objective and automated analysis identified eight distinct topographical epitopes on CD30. The reactivity of the anti-CD30 MAbs in immunoblot, and their inhibiting activity on CD30-CD30-ligand binding correlated with the topographical epitopes. The results show that the LFC-ELISA combined with cluster analysis is a useful new method for grouping MAbs based on their topographical epitopes and can be used in the early stage of MAb production. One useful application is to identify MAbs reacting with different epitopes from a large number of MAbs so that the most appropriate MAbs can be selected for therapeutic use.     

Epitope mapping of horseradish peroxidase with use of monoclonal antibodies.

Nine mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were used to develop an epitope map of the enzyme. The results of a competitive binding assay indicated three distinct patterns of reactivity. Two groups of MAbs (I and III) recognized epitopes located in separate antigenic regions on the molecule; another (II) bound to sites that overlapped with epitopes in either region I or III. Further definition of these regions was obtained by analyzing the MAbs for their binding to isolated heme, other peroxidases and heme-containing proteins, and to denatured and apo-HRP. None of the group I MAbs bound heme, suggesting that this region was removed from the active site of the enzyme. All of the group II and III MAbs bound heme as well as the other peroxidases and heme-containing proteins, indicating that they recognized heme-associated epitopes at or near the active site. Only one MAb (2A2) in groups II and III bound to apo-HRP but not to denatured HRP; it was also the only MAb in the entire panel that inhibited the catalytic activity of HRP. This suggests that the epitope recognized by 2A2 involves both the heme moiety and a conformationally dependent protein determinant near the active site.     

Isolation and characteristics of anti-adenovirus monoclonal antibodies in immunoenzyme and immunofluorescent reactions

New monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to adenovirus hexon, highly active in ELISA and immunofluorescent analysis, were prepared. According to competitive ELISA, new MAbs differed in their blocking activity and were directed to 2 different hexon epitopes. MAb 3H8 did not modify antigen binding of the rest MAbs labeled with peroxidase (PAb x Pox), and none of unlabeled MAbs suppressed the reaction of MAb x Pox 3H8. MAbs 1E8 7F1, 1E11, and 3B1 reacted with each other but differed by the spectrum and level of competitive inhibition, which indicated that they were directed to different epitopes of adenovirus hexon. Comparison of the specific activity of MAbs 7F1 and 1E8 in direct immunofluorescent detection of adenovirus antigens in infected cell cultures and clinical materials from patients showed a good coincidence (90-97%) of the results with the IMAGEN Adenovirus test (Dako) and with polyclonal FITC conjugates to adenovirus hexon.     

Production and characterization of two monoclonal antibodies to human pancreatic trypsin 1

Two monoclonal antibodies (MAb) G6 and A8 directed against human trypsin 1 have been produced by hybridization of myeloma cells with spleen cells of OF1 immunized mice. Antibodies were screened by radioimmunoassay. Monoclonal antibodies were purified by affinity chromatography on Protein A-Sepharose, and we found that MAb G6 was of the IgG2b class and MAb A8 of the IgG2a class. Both MAbs had a high affinity for trypsin 1 with the respective affinity constants equal to 1.3 x 10(8) l/mol for G6 and 3.2 x 10(7) l/mol for A8. Epitope specificity was studied by western blotting, using human trypsinogens 1 and 2. Both MAbs gave a positive reaction with native trypsinogen 1 and no reaction with the same protein after reduction. Only MAb G6 reacted with trypsinogen 2 in the native form. Its affinity for trypsin 2 was found similar to that for trypsin 1 with a constant equal to 2.7 x 10(7) l/mol. Both antibodies appeared directed against conformational and not sequential epitopes.     

Anti-idiotypic antibodies as probes for the determination of idiotopes shared by human and monoclonal murine antibodies

Murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against rye grass Group I (rye I) allergen were previously produced (290A-167, 348A-6 and 539A-6) and are further characterized herein. By competitive binding to polystyrene-bound allergen, it was shown that the three MAbs are directed against three different non-overlapping epitopes on rye I. Human rye I-specific IgG isolated from the serum of one rye grass sensitive patient could recognize the same or closely related epitopes than those recognized by MAbs. Antisera were then raised in rabbits against purified F(ab')2 fragments of human rye I-specific IgG and F(ab')2 fragments of 539A-6 MAb. The antisera were rendered idiotype specific by adsorption with insolubilized non-specific human IgG from the same donor, insolubilized normal murine immunoglobulins and finally with rye I. As shown by competitive binding to polystyrene-bound allergen, rabbit anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-ID antibodies) produced against F(ab')2 fragments of human rye I specific IgG could inhibit the reaction between two MAbs (290A-167 and 539A-6) and the relevant allergen. Furthermore, human rye I specific IgG could inhibit the binding of 125I-labelled 539A-6 MAb to its specific anti-ID antibody to a significant degree. Human autoanti-idiotypic antibodies were also shown to inhibit the reaction between the three anti-rye I MAbs and the antigen. These observations suggest that cross-reactivity exists between idiotypic determinants of human rye I-specific IgG and the three murine MAbs, which implies structural similarity in the V genes coding for the variable region of the antibody from these two different species.     

Monoclonal antibodies against different epitopes of nonstructural protein sigmaNS of avian reovirus S1133

Ten monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were prepared against the nonstructural protein sigmaNS of avian reovirus S1133. Eight of them were selected for two-way competitive binding assay after coupling with horseradish peroxidase. The results allowed the definition of three epitopes, designated A, B, and C. Blocking assay of poly(A)-Sepharose binding activity of sigmaNS with MAbs indicated that MAb recognizing epitope B was able to block poly(A) oligomer binding, suggesting that epitope B is involved in ssRNA binding of sigmaNS. An immuno-dot binding assay was used to analyze the effect of denaturation on antibody recognition of the epitopes. All MAbs bound to protein sigmaNS in its native form. After denaturation by boiling in SDS and 2-mercaptoethanol, the binding of MAbs recognizing epitopes B and C was not affected. The reactivity of MAbs recognizing epitope A was fully abolished by denaturation. These results suggest that the binding of MAbs directed against epitope A is conformation-dependent; however, the recognition by MAbs of epitopes B and C is not conformation-dependent. In addition, the results from the cross-reactivity of MAbs to heterologous avian reovirus strains suggest that the three epitopes are highly conserved among these virus strains.     

Epitopes of Escherichia coli alpha-hemolysin: identification of monoclonal antibodies that prevent hemolysis.

The antigenic regions of Escherichia coli alpha-hemolysin were determined by antibody binding to cyanogen bromide (CnBr) fragments of this protein under denatured conditions. Alpha-hemolysin was isolated from filtered culture supernatants of a recombinant strain by a combination of trichloroacetic acid precipitation and preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Alpha-hemolysin was used to (i) produce polyclonal rabbit antisera and murine monoclonal immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies and (ii) generate CnBr fragments. Rabbit IgG and 13 murine IgG monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were elicited to alpha-hemolysin as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent and immunoprecipitation assays. Antibodies bound to three specific CnBr fragments of alpha-hemolysin in Western blots (immuno-blots) from sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels: CnBrII (encompassing residues [R] 2 to 160), CnBrV (R 425 to 892), and CnBrVI (R 893 to 1023). Five MAbs bound to CnBrII, seven MAbs bound to CnBrV, and one MAb bound to CnBrVI. These specific CnBr fragments are predicted to be hydrophilic and charged. There was no antibody binding to the highly hydrophobic CnBrIII (R 161 to 416). Similar binding patterns were observed when rabbit polyclonal anti-alpha-hemolysin IgG was used. Polyclonal antibodies to alpha-hemolysin readily inhibited hemolysis and its neutralization capacity was 4- to 64-fold more potent than neutralizing MAbs. The five MAbs that bind to CnBrII possessed hemolytic neutralizing activity to various degrees. In contrast, only three of seven MAbs that bind to CnBrV fragment exhibited neutralization capacity to various degrees; the MAb to CnBrVI did not exhibit this capacity. Based on these data, we predict that denatured alpha-hemolysin and its CnBrII and CnBrV fragments might be worthwhile immunoprophylactic candidates for the prevention of hemolysin-mediated E. coli tissue injury.     

Characterization of monoclonal antibodies against alpha-hemolysin of Escherichia coli.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were raised against native and denatured alpha-hemolysin (HlyA) of Escherichia coli. Binding of the MAbs to native, denatured, and erythrocyte-complexed active wild-type hemolysin and mutant derivatives was tested. All 15 MAbs analyzed bound to native hemolysin, even when the toxin was complexed with human erythrocytes. While some MAbs were unable to bind to a specific native mutant hemolysin, others could not even bind to mutant hemolysin carrying deletions remote from their actual binding sites. A rough determination of the binding sites of 15 MAbs on HlyA was performed by Western immunoblot analysis using CNBr fragments of HlyA and mutant hemolysin proteins. Interestingly, the binding sites of the MAbs against native hemolysin seem to be more randomly distributed on HlyA than are those of MAbs against denatured hemolysin. Three MAbs inhibited the hemolytic activity significantly. Two of these MAbs bound to the hydrophobic region, and the other one bound to the repeat domain of HlyA. The use of synthetic peptides from these regions allowed determination of the linear epitopes for two of these MAbs.     

The use of anti-IgG monoclonal antibodies in mapping the monocyte receptor site on IgG

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against epitopes on the Cγ1, Cγ2, Cγ3 and Cγ2-Cγ3 interface regions of human IgG were used to attempt to localize the monocyte Fc receptor (FcR) binding site. The MAbs have been assayed for their capacity to inhibit the interaction between ¹²⁵I-labelled IgG (¹²⁵I-IgG) and human monocytes or human histiocytic lymphoma U937 cells. Two MAbs specific for epitopes on the N-terminal region of the Cγ2 domain, and one MAb recognizing an epitope in the Cγ2-Cγ3 inter-domain region inhibited binding of ¹²⁵I-IgG to monocyte FcRs. The remaining MAbs, against a C-terminal Cγ3 domain epitope, another Cγ2/Cγ3 region epitope and the Glm(f) allotope on the Cγl domain did not inhibit the interaction. The capacity of the MAbs to bind to their respective epitopes on cell surface FcR-bound IgG was also studied, using indirect radiobinding and immunofluorescence assays. All of the MAbs, except those with Cγ2 domain specificities, were able to detect FcR-bound IgG under these conditions. The results confirm the role of the Cγ2 domain in the interaction of IgG with monocytes and demonstrate that epitopes in the Cγ3 and Cγ2-Cγ3 regions are not involved in the binding site.     

Recognition of binding sites on Candida albicans by monoclonal antibodies to human leukocyte antigens.

Candida albicans exhibits examples of human molecular mimicry, including receptors resembling human steroid receptors and human complement receptor (CR)-like receptors that bind the complement fragments C3d and iC3b. To further characterize the epitopes of the Candida human CR-like molecules, a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against epitopes within the human CR3 was used. MAbs Mo1, M1/70HL, and 7C3 bound to the germ tube, as assessed by immunofluorescence. MAbs Leu15, 60.1, and 95G8 did not bind. Miscellaneous MAbs against other antigens on human leukocytes (B2, 3D9, and OKT4) did not bind. However, MY9, which recognizes a monocyte antigen, bound extensively to the germ tube. The binding of certain anti-CR3 MAbs suggested limited identity between the Candida CR3-like receptor and the human CR3. The binding of MY9 identified an antigen recognized by a MAb to a human cell antigen not previously known to exist on C. albicans.     

Antibody interactions with the capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans

Monoclonal antibodies to the encapsulated fungus Cryptococcus neoformans produce different immunofluorescence (IF) patterns after binding to the polysaccharide capsule. To explore the relationship between the IF pattern and the location of antibody binding, two immunoglobulin M (IgM) monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) (12A1 and 13F1) that differ in protective efficacy and IF pattern and one protective IgG1 MAb (2H1) were studied by IF and electron microscopy (EM). Fixing C. neoformans cells in lung tissue for EM resulted in significantly better preservation of the capsule than fixing yeast cells in suspension. The localization of MAbs 12A1 and 13F1 by immunogold EM differed depending on whether the MAb was bound to cells in cut tissue sections embedded in plastic or to cells in solution. In cut tissue sections, MAbs 12A1 and 13F1 bound throughout the capsule, whereas in solution both MAbs bound near the capsule surface. To investigate whether antibody binding to the C. neoformans capsule affected the binding of other primary or secondary reagents, various combinations of MAbs 12A1, 13F1, and 2H1 were studied by direct and indirect IF. The IF pattern and location of binding for MAbs 12A1, 13F1, and 2H1 varied depending on the presence of other capsule-binding MAbs and the method of detection. The results show that (i) binding of MAbs to the C. neoformans polysaccharide capsule can modify the binding of subsequent primary or secondary antibodies; (ii) the IgM MAbs bind primarily to the outer capsule regions despite the occurrence of their epitopes throughout the capsule; and (iii) MAb 2H1 staining of newly formed buds is reduced, suggesting quantitative or qualitative differences in bud capsule.     

Epitope mapping of monoclonal antibodies capable of neutralizing cytotoxic necrotizing factor type 1 of uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Cytotoxic necrotizing factor type 1 (CNF1) of uropathogenic Escherichia coli belongs to a family of bacterial toxins that target the small GTP-binding Rho proteins that regulate the actin cytoskeleton. Members of this toxin family typically inactivate Rho; however, CNF1 and the highly related CNF2 activate Rho by deamidation. Other investigators have reported that the first 190 amino acids of CNF1 constitute the cellular binding domain and that the CNF1 enzymatic domain lies within a 300-amino-acid stretch in the C terminus of the toxin. Amino acids 53 to 75 appear to be critical for cell receptor recognition, while amino acids Cys866 and His881 are considered essential for deamidation activity. To delineate further the functional domains of CNF1, we generated 16 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against the toxin and used them for epitope mapping studies. Based on Western blot immunoreactivity patterns obtained from a series of truncated CNF1 proteins, this panel of MAbs mapped to epitopes located throughout the toxin, including the binding and enzymatic domains. All MAbs showed reactivity to CNF1 by Western and dot blot analyses. However, only 7 of the 16 MAbs exhibited cross-reactivity with CNF2. Furthermore, only three MAbs demonstrated the capacity to neutralize toxin in either HEp-2 cell assays (inhibition of multinucleation) or 5637 bladder cell assays (inhibition of cytotoxicity). Since CNF1 epitopes recognized by neutralizing MAbs are likely to represent domains or regions necessary for the biological activities of the toxin, the epitopes recognized by these three MAbs, designated JC4 (immunoglobulin G2a [IgG2a]), BF8 (IgA), and NG8 (IgG2a), were more precisely defined. MAbs JC4 and BF8 reacted with epitopes that were common to CNF1 and CNF2 and located within the putative CNF1 binding domain. MAb JC4 recognized an epitope spanning amino acids 169 to 191, whereas MAb BF8 mapped to an epitope between amino acids 135 and 164. Despite the capacity of both MAbs to recognize CNF2 in Western blot analyses, only MAb BF8 neutralized CNF2. MAb NG8 showed reactivity to a CNF1-specific epitope located between amino acids 683 and 730, a region that includes a very small portion of the putative enzymatic domain. Taken together, these findings identify three new regions of the toxin that appear to be critical for the biological activity of CNF1.     

An analysis of the properties of monoclonal antibodies directed to epitopes on influenza virus hemagglutinin

Summary Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for the hemagglutinin (HA) of the H3 subtype of influenza A virus were grouped according to their inability to bind to particular MAb-selected neutralization escape mutants of the virus having an amino acid substitution in one of the five postulated antigenic sites on the molecule. Additional residues critical to the binding of the MAbs were deduced from their patterns of reactivity with a panel of field strains and receptor mutants of the H3 subtype. The relationship of these residues to the actual epitopes recognized by the MAbs was inferred from their location on the three-dimensional structure of the HA molecule. In this way it was generally possible to identify a number of residues that are critical to the integrity of the epitope recognized by each of the MAbs examined. It was found that: (1) Several of these epitopes appear to be discontinuous and some may depend on residues contributed by more than one monomer. For example, residue 205, in the interface between monomers of the HA, was found to affect the integrity of the epitopes for several MAbs, possibly by stabilizing the conformation of residues around the receptor-binding pocket and/or in site B on the adjacent monomer. The activity of these particular MAbs was greatly decreased if the virus was exposed to pH 5. (2) All the MAbs tested neutralized viral infectivity and inhibited hemagglutination, although the single MAb directed to site C, which is the most distant from the receptor-binding site, was the least efficient. (3) Hemagglutination inhibition, and particularly neutralization tests, were more discriminating than ELISA in discerning subtle differences between the corresponding epitopes recognized by MAbs on different field strains. (4) Efficiency of neutralization of infectivity did not correlate consistently with hemagglutination inhibiting efficiency; MAbs postulated to bind to epitopes close to the receptor-binding pocket were very efficient at inhibiting hemagglutination, whereas neutralization efficiency tended to be more influenced by the affinity of binding of the MAb. (5) A MAb binding to any particular epitope could affect the binding of a second MAb directed to an epitope within the same or even a different antigenic site. The observed effect was most commonly inhibition of binding, which was not always reciprocal; enhancement of binding was also observed with certain combinations of MAbs. The relative affinity of the MAbs, in addition to steric constraints, were shown to be important factors in the ability to compete for interaction with HA.     

Monoclonal antibodies specific for Clostridium difficile toxin B and their use in immunoassays.

Five mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against Clostridium difficile toxin B have been raised and characterized. Three of them were immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies (6B10, 6G3, and 10B9), and the other two were of the IgG1 isotype (9E5 and 17G2), recognizing specifically two distinct epitopes on the toxin B molecule. No MAb was able to neutralize cytotoxic activity significantly. The two IgG1 MAbs were purified and applied to various immunodiagnostic assays. MAbs coupled to latex beads were used for specific removal of toxin B from cytotoxic samples and for agglutination assay. An indirect sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with MAb 9E5 or 17G2 as the capture antibody was established for identification of toxin B with a lower detection limit of 5 ng/ml.     

Monoclonal antibodies that define neutralizing epitopes of pertussis toxin: conformational dependence and epitope mapping.

The epitope specificities of 13 hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for pertussis toxin (PT) is described. Hybridoma lines were derived by the fusion of spleen cells from mice immunized with native PT, Formalin-detoxified PT, or isolated PT subunits (S1 to S5) with the myeloma line X63-Ag8.653. Five MAbs showed a toxin-neutralizing ability, which was demonstrated by use of a Chinese hamster ovary cell assay system and by a NAD glycohydrolase assay. All five toxin-neutralizing MAbs demonstrated high specificities for and reactivities with native PT but were unable to bind to denatured PT. One MAb was able to neutralize the enzymatic activity of PT. The other four neutralizing MAbs inhibited the binding of PT or PT subunits to the surface of Chinese hamster ovary cells, as shown by an immunofluorescence assay. All neutralizing MAbs reacted with purified S2-S4 or S3-S4 dimers but not with S4 alone. Three MAbs which recognized a common epitope shared by S2 and S3 (which are about 70% homologous at the DNA level) and one MAb which recognized S4 were not neutralizing. Isolated S2-S4 and S3-S4 dimers bound to Chinese hamster ovary cells. These results indicate that the majority of critical epitopes which elicit neutralizing antibody are conformation dependent.     

Conformational epitopes recognized by protective anti-neisserial surface protein A antibodies

NspA is a conserved membrane protein that elicits protective antibody responses in mice against Neisseria meningitidis. A recent crystallographic study showed that NspA adopts an eight-stranded beta-barrel structure when reconstituted in detergent. In order to define the segments of NspA-containing epitopes recognized by protective murine anti-NspA antibodies, we studied the binding of two bactericidal and protective anti-NspA monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), AL12 and 14C7. Neither MAb binds to overlapping synthetic peptides (10-mers, 12-mers, and cyclic 12-mers) corresponding to the entire mature sequence of NspA, or to denatured recombinant NspA (rNspA), although binding to the protein can be restored by refolding in liposomes. Based on the ability of the two MAbs to bind to Escherichia coli microvesicles prepared from a set of rNspA variants created by site-specific mutagenesis, the most important contacts between the MAbs and NspA appear to be located within the LGG segment of loop 3. The conformation of loop 2 also appears to be an important determinant, as particular combinations of residues in this segment resulted in loss of antibody binding. Thus, the two anti-NspA MAbs recognize discontinuous conformational epitopes that result from the close proximity of loops 2 and 3 in the three-dimensional structure of NspA. The data suggest that optimally immunogenic vaccines using rNspA will require formulations that permit proper folding of the protein.     

Identification of four distinct neutralizing epitopes on bluetongue virus serotype 10 using neutralizing monoclonal antibodies and neutralization-escape variants.

Neutralizing sites on bluetongue virus serotype 10 (BTV-10) were investigated with a panel of seven neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Each MAb was coupled to agarose beads and tested against the other MAbs and a nonneutralizing control MAb in a competitive immueprecipitation assay. In addition, neutralization-escape viral variants of BTV-10 were identified and cloned by selecting individual plaques that formed in the presence of neutralizing MAbs. Four antigenic variants were isolated, each under the selective pressure of a different MAb. Parental BTV-10 and the four antigenic variants were compared by microneutralization assay using the MAb panel. The panel of neutralizing MAbs was subdivided into four groups on the basis of these assays, indicating that at least four distinct neutralizing epitopes exist on the BTV-10 virion. These epitopes are individually defined by representative MAbs 034, 039, 041, and 045, and the results indicate that the four epitopes are interacting sites within a single antigenic domain on BTV-10 outer capsid protein VP2. This conclusion is further supported by the fact that a double-site neutralization-escape variant designated DE34/39 (sequentially produced against MAbs 034 and 039) was not neutralized by any MAb of the panel.     

Fine antigenic specificity and cooperative bactericidal activity of monoclonal antibodies directed at the meningococcal vaccine candidate factor h-binding protein

No broadly protective vaccine is available for the prevention of group B meningococcal disease. One promising candidate is factor H-binding protein (fHbp), which is present in all strains but often sparsely expressed. We prepared seven murine immunoglobulin G monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against fHbp from antigenic variant group 2 (v.2) or v.3 ( approximately 40% of group B strains). Although none of the MAbs individually elicited bactericidal activity with human complement, all had activity in different combinations. We used MAb reactivity with strains expressing fHbp polymorphisms and site-specific mutagenesis to identify residues that are important for epitopes recognized by six of the v.2 or v.3 MAbs and by two v.1 MAbs that were previously characterized. Residues affecting v.2 or v.3 epitopes resided between amino acids 174 and 216, which formed an eight-stranded beta-barrel in the C domain, while residues affecting the v.1 epitopes included amino acids 121 and 122 of the B domain. Pairs of MAbs were bactericidal when their respective epitopes involved residues separated by 16 to 20 A and when at least one of the MAbs inhibited the binding of fH, a downregulatory complement protein. In contrast, there was no cooperative bactericidal activity when the distance between residues was >or=27 A or 相似文献   

Binding of monoclonal antibody specific for domain Ia/II of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A at pH 4 strongly neutralizes exotoxin A-induced cytotoxicity in cell culture and in vivo.

Mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (Ex-A) were established, and 4 of 20 MAbs were extensively studied for analysis of the structure-function relationship of Ex-A. IN vivo experiments demonstrated that MAb Ex-3C7 protected mice either injected with Ex-A or infected with Ex-A-producing P. aeruginosa from death caused by Ex-A at the highest rate, followed by MAbs Ex-4F2 and Ex-8H5, in that order. MAb Ex-2A10 failed to rescue the mice. MAb Ex-3C7 (immunoglobulin G1 [IgG1]) inhibited incorporation of Ex-A into target cells and strongly neutralized cytotoxicity in cell culture but did not inhibit an enzymatic activity of Ex-A, ADP-ribosyltransferase, at all. The MAb also bound Ex-A, even at a low pH of 4, and recognized amino acid residues 241 to 297 (domain Ia/II), suggesting that MAb Ex-3C7 can interfere with the conformational change and/or processing of Ex-A by keeping a complex of Ex-A and antibody stable at low pH in the phagolysosome. MAb Ex-4F2 (IgG1), which recognizes residues 550 to 590 (domain III), strongly inhibited Ex-A incorporation and neutralized cytotoxicity in cell culture but only weakly inhibited ADP-ribosyltransferase. MAb Ex-8H5 (IgG1), which recognizes residues 591 to 613 (domain III), also inhibited cytotoxicity in cell culture, but weakly. In contrast to the above three MAbs, MAb Ex-2A10 (IgG2b) greatly inhibited ADP-ribosyltransferase but showed no inhibition of Ex-A incorporation and no neutralizing activity against cell toxicity. A line of evidence indicates that (i) domain Ia/II plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Ex-A and (ii) MAbs that inhibit an intracellular postbinding process, such as conformational change, processing, and translocation of Ex-A in target cells, can display potent inhibitory activity against cytotoxicity in vivo, as well as in cell culture, and would be a good candidate for therapy of pseudomonal infections.