Expression of minute virus of mice major nonstructural protein in insect cells: purification and identification of ATPase and helicase activities.

The gene encoding the major nonstructural (NS-1) protein of minute virus of mice (MVM) has been expressed in insect cells using a baculovirus expression system. This 83-kDa polypeptide was found to be localized in the soluble (cytosolic) fraction in insect cells, in contrast with the nuclear localization of NS-1 expressed in MVM-infected mouse LA-9 cells. The protein was purified by immunoaffinity chromatography using a monoclonal antibody (MAb) prepared to an NS-1 fusion peptide [(Yeung et al., Virology 185, 35-45 (1991)]. Recombinant NS-1 was eluted using either low pH or a synthetic peptide corresponding to the epitope of the MAb. The peptide-eluted material is greater than 95% pure and biologically active in that it has ATPase activity and ATP-dependent helicase activity as determined by a strand displacement assay.     

Strain-specific and immunodominant surface epitopes of the P2 porin protein of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae.

The P2 porin protein is the major outer membrane protein of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae. Five monoclonal antibodies to P2 of four strains of nontypeable H. influenzae were developed by immunizing mice with whole bacterial cells. All five antibodies recognized epitopes on P2 in immunoblot assays of whole organism lysates, purified outer membrane, and purified P2. Competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and immunoblot assays of cyanogen bromide-digested P2 showed that two antibodies to the P2 protein of strain 1479 recognized different epitopes on the molecule. Immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated that each of the five antibodies recognized epitopes that were abundantly expressed on the bacterial surface. Analysis of 120 H. influenzae strains indicated that three of the five antibodies were reactive exclusively with the homologous strain. The remaining two antibodies were reactive with less than 3% of the strains. These studies indicate that the P2 protein expresses a highly strain-specific and immunodominant epitope on the bacterial surface. The expression of strain-specific and immunodominant epitopes on the bacterial surface may represent a mechanism by which the bacterium induces antibodies that will protect against recurrent infection by the homologous strain but will not protect against infection by heterologous strains.     

Mapping and topographic localization of epitopes of the Yersinia pseudotuberculosis invasin protein.

The Yersinia pseudotuberculosis invasin protein is a 986-amino-acid outer membrane protein that promotes bacterial penetration into mammalian cells by binding to beta 1-chain integrin receptors. We previously showed that the integrin binding domain is encoded by the carboxyl-terminal 192 amino acids. To further investigate the structure of this protein, we characterized a set of 32 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against invasin. Invasin deletion derivatives and fusion proteins carrying different segments of invasin were used to map the epitopes of this set of MAbs into 10 overlapping but distinct intervals. Indirect immunofluorescence of intact bacteria expressing invasin demonstrated that two large regions of invasin contain epitopes exposed on the bacterial surface. To assess the role of these surface-exposed regions in the binding and invasion of mammalian cells, each of the MAbs was tested for its ability to inhibit these processes. All of the MAbs that recognized bacterial surface-exposed epitopes in the cell binding domain of invasin inhibited both cell attachment and cell penetration, and no other MAbs inhibited either activity.     

Epitope homology between bacterial heat shock protein and self-proteins in the host cell.

Mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) showing distinct reactivity against the 60-kilodalton (kDa) antigen heat shock protein of Yersinia enterocolitica, designated cross-reacting protein antigen (CRPA), have previously been established. The reactivities of these MAbs (5C3 and 3C8) against mouse and human host cells were studied by Western blotting and flow cytometric analysis. The results indicated that epitopes on the bacterial 60-kDa heat shock protein are present on various molecules in mouse spleen cells and human B cells. An epitope recognized by MAb 5C3 was expressed on the mouse and human host cell surface, and an epitope recognized by MAb 3C8 was also expressed on the human host cell surface.     

Expression in Escherichia coli of two Schistosoma mansoni genes that encode major antigens recognized by immune mice

Two clones which contain genes encoding Schistosoma mansoni proteins recognized by immune mouse sera were chosen from cDNA lambda gt11 expression vector library by preselecting clones from the library with rabbit antisera against adult worm phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-soluble antigens. One clone, MAC 182, codes for part of a Mr 70 000 protein; the other clone, MAC 184, codes for a Mr 27 000 protein. The insert sizes of MAC 182 and MAC 184 are 400 bp and 800 bp, respectively. Both clones express S. mansoni beta-galactosidase fusion proteins as products of the construct. Antibodies from either chronically infected mice or mice vaccinated with irradiated cercariae recognize the MAC 182 fusion protein (MAC 182fp) but not the MAC 184 fusion protein (MAC 184fp). Rabbit antibodies prepared against MAC 182fp immunoprecipitate a Mr 70 000 in vitro translation product from adult mRNA and react in Western blot with a corresponding Mr 70 000 protein present in eggs, cercariae and adult worms but absent in schistosomula. Although the MAC 184fp is not recognized directly by chronic infection or vaccinated mouse antibodies, antisera prepared against the purified fusion protein immunoprecipitate a Mr 27 000 in vitro translation product which also reacts with mouse chronic infection sera. The same Mr 27 000 protein appears to be present in eggs, cercariae, schistosomula and adults as determined by Western blots with rabbit antisera against the MAC 184fp. These results suggest that the S. mansoni polypeptide encoded by the MAC 184 gene, when expressed within a fusion protein, fails to present epitopes normally recognized during natural infection. We propose that these epitopes are conformationally determined and are destroyed when the MAC 184 protein is expressed within beta-galactosidase. This abrogation of conformational epitopes may explain the failure of antibodies from chronically infected or vaccinated mice and rabbits to effectively recognize gene products of certain lambda gt11-fusion protein clones.     

The use of immunodeficient male (CBA/N x BALB/c) F1 mice to produce monoclonal antibodies directed to proteins of Leptospira interrogans rather than to immunodominant lipopolysaccharides.

A method, using an immunodeficient mouse strain, for the production of monoclonal antibodies directed exclusively against the proteins in an antigen mixture also containing immunodominant LPS, is described. Male (CBA/N x BALB/c) F1 mice were immunized with an outer envelope antigen mixture from Leptospira interrogans strain Wijnberg containing both lipopolysaccharides and proteins. The immune response in these mice was shown to be predominantly directed against protein antigens. Hybridoma cell lines were generated by fusing spleen cells from a (CBA/N x BALB/c) F1 mouse with BALB/c Sp2/0 plasmacytoma cells. Hybridoma cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies reacting with the outer envelope preparation were identified by ELISA. All epitopes recognized by the monoclonal antibodies are sensitive to proteinase K degradation and resistant to oxidation by periodate indicating that they are located on proteins. All epitopes are located on a 35 kDa protein and specific for the pathogenic L. interrogans species.     

Production of anti-dengue NS1 monoclonal antibodies by DNA immunization

Monoclonal antibodies against dengue NS1 protein were generated following immunization of mice with plasmid DNA encoding the transmembrane form of NS1 from dengue serotype 2 virus. A mammalian expression vector, pDisplay, was engineered to direct cell surface expression of dengue NS1 and tested for transient expression in COS cells. Two mice were immunized intramuscularly with six doses of 100 microg of plasmid at 2-week intervals; one mouse received a booster of live virus prior to the last plasmid injection. Both mice showed antibody responses against dengue antigens in dot enzyme immunoassay. Following fusion, hybridomas were screened with dot enzyme immunoassay against all four dengue serotypes. Specificity to the NS1 protein was confirmed by western blot analysis. Among five anti-dengue NS1 monoclonal antibodies generated, two clones were serotype 2 specific, two clones reacted with all four serotypes and the last also reacted with Japanese encephalitis virus. Reactivity against native or denatured forms of NS1 revealed three clones with reactivity to linear epitopes and two clones recognizing conformational epitopes. Such diverse specificity of anti-dengue NS1 monoclonal antibodies indicates that DNA immunization, especially with the combination of virus boosting, is an efficient way of producing monoclonal antibodies against viral protein. This has opened up a possibility of producing monoclonal antibodies to rare viral proteins that are difficult to isolate or purify.     

Use of recombinant antigens expressed in Escherichia coli K-12 to map B-cell and T-cell epitopes on the immunodominant 65-kilodalton protein of Mycobacterium bovis BCG

In gene libraries of Mycobacterium bovis BCG, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Mycobacterium leprae, recombinants were frequently encountered that expressed an immunodominant 65-kilodalton (kDa) protein antigen that was shown to react with a high proportion of mycobacterium-reactive human and murine T cells and murine monoclonal antibodies. In this study, recombinant antigens were used to map T-cell and B-cell epitopes on the M. bovis BCG 65-kDa protein that was previously designated MbaA. Four different T-cell-epitope-containing regions (amino acid residues 1 through 16, 17 through 61, 85 through 108, and 235 through 279) were defined that were recognized by seven T-cell clones from patients with tuberculoid leprosy. These regions are distinct from two previously described T-cell epitopes recognized by T cells from a tuberculosis patient. As T-cell clones restricted by different class II determinants were shown to be specific for different regions on the 65-kDa protein, the presented data suggested that the products of different human leukocyte antigen class II loci and alleles present different parts of MbaA to the immune system. B-cell epitopes recognized by 20 monoclonal antibodies were assigned to eight different regions of MbaA. Using 15 of these antibodies, we previously showed that MbaA was antigenically related to a common antigen present in many bacterial species. The dispersed localization of the involved epitopes defined here shows that various different parts of MbaA are indeed conserved. These results show that well-defined recombinant antigens are useful tools for the localization of both B- and T-cell-epitope-containing regions of a protein. Peptides synthesized from the sequences of such regions may then exactly define the epitopes relevant for the development of specific diagnostic tests or of vaccines against mycobacteria.     

Definition of linear antigenic regions of the HPV16 L1 capsid protein using synthetic virion-like particles.

Mice of three haplotypes (H-2d, H-2b, and H-2d/b) were immunized with synthetic HPV16 virus-like particles (VLPs), produced using a vaccinia virus doubly recombinant for the L1 and L2 proteins of HPV16. The resultant anti-VLP antisera recognized HPV16 capsids by ELISA assay and baculovirus recombinant HPV16 L1 and L2 protein on immunoblot. Overlapping peptides corresponding to the HPV16 L1 amino acid sequence were used to define the immunoreactive regions of the L1 protein. The majority of the L1 peptides were reactive with IgG from the mice immunized with the synthetic HPV16 capsids. A computer algorithm predicted seven B epitopes in HPV16 L1, five of which lay within peptides strongly reactive with the murine antisera. The murine anti-VLP antisera failed to react with the two peptides recognized by anti-HPV16L1 monoclonal antibodies raised by others against recombinant L1 fusion protein. We conclude that the immunoreactive epitopes of HPV16 defined using virus-like particles differ significantly from those defined using recombinant HPV16 L1 fusion proteins, which implies that such fusion proteins may not be the antigens to look for HPV16L1 specific immune responses in HPV-infected patients.     

Production and characterization of a monoclonal antibody to partially purified estrogen receptor from human breast tumor

A hybridoma cell line that secretes monoclonal antibody, MAb-ER-Br-1-15-4-18 is established. The MAb is highly specific for estrogen receptor (ER) from human breast tumor cells. In order to raise the antibody, the ER was first isolated from human breast tumor. Mice were immunized with the partially purified ER and the fusion of the spleen cells from the mouse, showing the highest serum titer, with the cells of the NS-1 mouse myeloma line, produced hybrid cells which continuously secreted antibodies specific for ER. Three of the hybridoma cultures which tested strongly positive were cloned using limiting dilution method and one of the cell lines was selected for further study. The recovery of the MAb from the cell culture was done by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by dialysis and then hydroxylapatite liquid chromatography using linear gradients. The purity of the antibody was checked by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The MAb was isotyped and found to be IgG1. When checked against other antigens the MAb showed a minimal cross-reactivity to ER from rabbit uterus and none to ovalbumin or rat liver ferritin. Further experiments showed that the MAb recognized the ER bound to the hormone and ER in the nucleus of breast tumor cells.     

New B cell epitopes in the Plasmodium falciparum malaria circumsporozoite protein.

Most antibodies directed against the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite (CS) protein react with its central domain, which contains about 40 repeats of the tetrapeptide Asn-Ala-Asn-Pro (NANP). To search for new epitopes in the non-repetitive part of the CS protein, we expressed the non-repetitive regions of the protein in E. coli as fusion proteins with mouse dihydrofolate reductase linked to six adjacent histidine residues. These fusion proteins were obtained at greater than 70% purity by a single Ni-chelate affinity chromatography step. Of the new epitopes defined in the C-terminal portion of the CS protein, three are located in a stretch of 65 amino acids immediately C-terminal of the protein's central repetitive domain. Pooled sera from inhabitants of a malaria-endemic area reacted with epitopes in this region of the molecule, and four mouse monoclonal antibodies to this region also reacted with the native CS protein on sporozoites. Two of the monoclonal antibodies reacted with a peptide PNDPNRNVD derived from a conserved region of the CS protein. The other two antibodies showed different reactivities to sporozoites of the NF54 and Ro59 parasite isolates. One, which reacted with a peptide ENANANNAV, recognized Ro59 but not NF54 sporozoites, while the other reacted with a small percentage of NF54 but not Ro59 sporozoites. Antibodies which react with non-repetitive regions of the CS protein could contribute to maintaining its genetic variability.     

Analysis of antibody response to the measles virus using synthetic peptides of the fusion protein Evidence of non-random pairing of T and B cell epitopes

The measles virus induces a life-long immune response associated with antibodies specific for the fusion protein. To map the linear immunodominant recognition sites of the fusion (F) protein of the measles virus, we have reacted a complete set of 108 overlapping pentadecapeptides with purified IgG obtained from donor sera with elevated anti-measles titers. The antibodies recognized about 20% of the peptides and generated a characteristic binding pattern, defining about 6 or 7 distinctive regions (31–75; 111–145; 151–165; 191–215; 271–320; 421–440; 481–530) which include the major hydrophobic segment (111–145) of the intersubunit region and the C-terminal Cys-cluster region. The binding sites were located in close proximity of the few experimentally defined T cell epitopes. This pairing of T and B cell epitopes was corroborated by computer-assisted T cell prediction. The significance of a non-random association of T and B cell epitopes for processing and presentation is discussed. It is speculated that in long-term immunity against measles (F protein), B cells of the same sIg specificity play an important role both as antigen presenting cells and as antibody producing cells. In contrast to human sera from late convalescent donors, mouse and rabbit MV antisera with high neutralizing titers as well as neutralizing MV-F specific monoclonal antibodies did not react with the peptides.     

Epitope mapping and affinity purification of monospecific antibodies by Escherichia coli cell surface display of gene-derived random peptide libraries.

We report a method for the precise mapping of linear epitopes by presenting a peptide library on the surface of Escherichia coli cells. A random library of gene fragments derived from the classical swine fever virus (CSFV) envelope protein E(rns) was generated by DNAse I cleavage and cloned into a specially designed bacterial surface display vector. A carboxyterminally truncated intimin, an adhesin from enteropathogenic E. coli, serves as a carrier protein to present foreign peptides on the surface of E. coli K12 cells. Epitope-presenting cells were isolated by immunofluorescence staining of the bacterial cell population with monoclonal anti-E(rns) antibodies followed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Nucleotide sequence analysis of the coding sequence for the cloned target gene fragments of a few FACS-positive clones allowed the identification of the respective epitope sequence. A major linear antigenic determinant of the E(rns) protein could be identified by epitope mapping with a polyclonal anti-E(rns) serum. Furthermore, the high-density surface display of intimin-peptide fusions allowed us to use epitope-presenting bacteria directly as whole cell adsorbants for affinity purification of monospecific antibodies. Monospecific antibodies directed against the carboxyterminal fragment of E(rns) were isolated and used for immunostaining of transfected BHK-21 cells to validate the transient expression of E(rns). This demonstrates that gene-fragment libraries displayed on E. coli cells as fusion proteins with intimin are useful tools for rapid mapping of linear epitopes recognized by monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and polyclonal sera and for the affinity purification of monospecific antibodies by adsorption to the E. coli surface exposed antigenic peptide.     

An epitope shared by cellular cytokeratin and Orientia tsutsugamushi

Many microbial pathogens have epitopes shared with host cell components and these epitopes may induce transient or longer-term tissue-damaging autoantibody responses. We observed that several mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) raised against Orientia tsutsugamushi were also reactive with host cells. One such antibody, MAb Rb105, cross-reacted with the cytoskeleton, as shown by immunofluorescent staining. Biochemical studies identified the cross-reacting component as a cytokeratin protein. These results identify an epitope shared by O. tsutsugamushi and the cytokeratins of host cells. In addition, antibodies cross-reactive with the cytoskeleton were detected in the sera of scrub typhus patients, suggesting that an epitope similar to that detected by MAb Rb105 may be recognized by human antibodies.     

Functional and antigenic domains of the dengue-2 virus nonstructural glycoprotein NS-1

The gene coding for the nonstructural glycoprotein of dengue-2 virus was cloned, sequenced, and expressed in Escherichia coli. There was about 70% conservation at the amino acid level with dengue serotypes 1 and 4 suggesting an important common function for this protein. Conserved hydrophobic domains were found both before the amino-terminus and at the carboxy-terminus, consistent with transmembrane roles. Evidence for at least partial translocation of NS-1 through the inner membrane of E. coli was found. Also conserved were two signals for N-linked glycosylation located near the middle of NS-1. Various regions of NS-1 were tested for antigenicity with mouse and rabbit polyclonal and mouse monoclonal antibodies. The mouse polyclonal antibodies, made against a crude dengue-infected mouse brain immunogen, reacted most strongly with N-terminal regions of NS-1, whereas, the rabbit antiserum, made against purified NS-1 protein, reacted strongest with C-terminal regions. These findings suggest that immunogen presentation or species differences could be important. Although most of the monoclonals appeared to be unreactive in Western blots with expressed NS-1 proteins, two appeared to react strongly; the region from amino acid (a.a.) 273 to a.a. 346 was required for antibody binding. This region, located adjacent to the two conserved C-terminal hydrophobic domains, is highly charged and contains 5 of the 10 conserved cysteine residues of NS-1.     

Mapping of Epitopes Recognized by Antibodies Induced by Immunization of Mice with PspA and PspC

Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) and pneumococcal surface protein C (PspC) are important candidates for an alternative vaccine against pneumococcal infections. Since these antigens show variability, the use of variants that do not afford broad protection may lead to the selection of vaccine escape bacteria. Epitopes capable of inducing antibodies with broad cross-reactivities should thus be the preferred antigens. In this work, experiments using peptide arrays show that most linear epitopes recognized by antibodies induced in mice against different PspAs were located at the initial 44 amino acids of the mature protein and that antibodies against these linear epitopes did not confer protection against a lethal challenge. Conversely, linear epitopes recognized by antibodies to PspC included the consensus sequences involved in the interaction with human factor H and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA). Since linear epitopes of PspA were not protective, larger overlapping fragments containing 100 amino acids of PspA of strain Rx1 were constructed (fragments 1 to 7, numbered from the N terminus) to permit the mapping of antibodies with conformational epitopes not represented in the peptide arrays. Antibodies from mice immunized with fragments 1, 2, 4, and 5 were capable of binding onto the surface of pneumococci and mediating protection against a lethal challenge. The fact that immunization of mice with 100-amino-acid fragments located at the more conserved N-terminal region of PspA (fragments 1 and 2) induced protection against a pneumococcal challenge indicates that the induction of antibodies against conformational epitopes present at this region may be important in strategies for inducing broad protection against pneumococci.     

Production of novel monoclonal antibodies against rabbit platelet factor four.

Ten hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) against rabbit platelet factor 4 (PF4) were obtained from the fusion of splenocytes from mice immunized with purified rabbit PF4 and NSO mouse myeloma cells. When the reactivities of these monoclonal antibodies were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting with human and rabbit PF4, they showed a high degree of specificity. Only one Mab recognized an epitope common to the human and rabbit molecules, the other nine reacted only with the rabbit protein. All the antibodies recognized, in crude platelet lysates, a band that comigrates with the purified PF4 protein. None of these antibodies cross-reacted with major rabbit or human platelet-poor plasma proteins. The significance of the Mabs in immunological and physiological studies is discussed.     

Characterization of minor and major antigenic regions within the hepatitis B virus nucleocapsid

Hepatitis B core antibodies (anti-HBc) appear very early during the course of the hepatitis B virus infection and often persist years after viral clearance. In order to characterize the immunodominant domain of the HBcAg, the human immune response against the HBV nucleocapsid (HBcAg) was analyzed by using 14 synthetic peptides. Anti-HBc antibodies were detected by an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with HBc peptides. Results suggest that the anti-HBc response is heterogeneous and directed against the whole primary structure of the HBc protein. Results also indicate that the epitopes recognized by anti-HBc antibodies can vary with the stages of the disease. In most sera from patients with serological evidence of acute HBV infection, anti-HBc antibodies recognized all the HBc peptides; conversely, after the acute phase, anti-HBc antibodies recognized predominantly epitopes located within the central region of the HBc protein from residue 74 to 123. Our results suggest that the HBV core protein is made up of two antigenic regions: a major one expressing a family of immunodominant epitopes from residue 74 to 123, whereas the minor encompasses the rest of the protein. The concept of the conformational nature of the unique HBcAg determinant is discussed, suggesting numerous families of linear epitopes.     

Monoclonal antibodies to gelonin: production and characterization

BALB/c mice were immunized with gelonin, a 30 kD glycoprotein (type 1 RIP) from the seeds of Gelonium multiflorum. By polyethylene glycol-induced fusion of isolated spleen cells with the myeloma cell line NS-1, three different hybridomas were obtained. Two of them were found to secrete antibodies of the IgG1 subclass, whereas the third cell line produced antibodies of the IgM type. The IgG1-secreting cell lines were adapted to serum-free medium conditions, and the antibodies were isolated from the culture supernatant. The isolated antibodies recognize independent epitopes on the gelonin molecule. The toxicity of gelonin in reticulocyte lysates was not affected when the protein was incubated with the antibodies. The IgG1s exhibit average affinity constants of about 10(9) M-1 and 10(10) M-1, respectively, as determined by a solid-phase EIA using the avidin-biotin system.     

Monoclonal antibodies against the human interleukin-11 receptor alpha-chain (IL-11Ralpha) and their use in studies of human mononuclear cells

A panel of 14 hybridoma cell lines secreting monoclonal antibodies against the human interleukin-11 receptor alpha chain (hIL-11Ralpha) was obtained using two different approaches. Two antibodies were raised against peptides of the N- and C-terminal sequences, respectively, of the extracellular part of the hIL-11Ralpha. Another group of 12 antibodies was generated against a hybrid protein consisting of the extracellular part of the hIL-11Ralpha fused to mature full-length human IL-2. All these antibodies recognized native hIL-11Ralpha and most also recognized the denatured receptor on immunoblots after SDS-PAGE. Four different epitopes were identified on the extracellular part of the hIL-11Ralpha. One epitope, defined by the E27 antibody, is located at the N-terminus and the other three epitopes are clustered in the membrane-proximal, C-terminal region. The antibodies defining epitopes I and II recognized membrane-bound hIL-11Ralpha expressed in gp130/hIL-11Ralpha-co-transfected Ba/F3 cells. The E27 antibody cross-reacted with murine IL-11Ralpha, in agreement with the fact that the N-terminal region is highly conserved between species. The other 13 antibodies all recognized a region between amino acids 319 and 363, which is the membrane-proximal part of the hIL-11Ralpha. This region, which is less conserved between mouse and human, is shown here to be an immunodominant region. Anti-IL-11Ralpha monoclonal antibodies, which have not been described previously enabled us to explore the expression and tissue distribution of IL-11Ralpha on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and cell lines. The antibodies provide powerful tools for the study of the regulation and function of the receptor.