Bacterial expression of a human monoclonal antibody-alkaline phosphatase conjugate specific for Entamoeba histolytica

We previously produced human monoclonal antibody Fab fragments specific to Entamoeba histolytica in Escherichia coli. In order to use these Fab fragments for diagnostic purposes, an expression vector to produce a fusion protein of Fab and alkaline phosphatase (PhoA) in E. coli was designed and constructed. The E. coli PhoA gene was fused to the 3' terminus of the gene encoding the heavy-chain Fd region. The kappa and Fd genes from a previously prepared antibody clone, CP33, which is specific for the 260-kDa lectin of E. histolytica, were used as human antibody genes. When the fusion protein of CP33 and PhoA was incubated with paraformaldehyde-fixed trophozoites of E. histolytica and developed with a substrate, the trophozoites appeared to be stained. These results demonstrate the feasibility of bacterial expression of a human monoclonal antibody-PhoA conjugate specific for E. histolytica and that the antibody can be used to detect E. histolytica antigen without the use of chemically conjugated secondary antibodies.     

Escherichia coli expression of a bifunctional Fab-peptide epitope reagent for the rapid diagnosis of HIV-1 and HIV-2

Background: The current format of a rapid whole-blood agglutination assay for HIV relies on a bifunctional molecule which comprises a 10 Fab fragment, with specificity for the human red blood cell surface marker (glycophorin A), chemically conjugated to a synthetic peptide that corresponds to a single immunodominant region of HIV envelope glycoprotein. In this assay erythrocyte agglutination occurs if the blood sample contains anti-HIV antibodies. Objectives: To establish whether a bacterially synthesised Fab fragment encoding several C-terminal immunodominant peptide tails can be produced in sufficient purity and yield to function in whole-blood agglutination assays. Study design: An E. coli dicistronic Fab expression cassette was constructed comprising of light and heavy chain gene fragments derived from a glycophorin specific monoclonal antibody (1C3), genetically linked with C-terminal immunoreactive peptide epitopes. Expression and purification procedures were established to enable the rapid production of I C3 Fabpeptide epitope conjugates. Results: A recombinant I C3 Fab fragment was expressed with two different immunological epitope markers, Glu-Glu-Phe (EEF) and FLAG, at the C-terminus of the Fd heavy and κ light chain, respectively. This model Fab-EEF/FLAG conjugate was detected in culture supernatant by SDS-PAGE gels and Western blots, and could be successfully used in erythrocyte agglutination assays. Furthermore, an HIV specific I C3 Fab reagent, containing immunoreactive peptide epitopes from the surface glycoproteins of HIV-1 and HIV-2, was also expressed but at lower levels and with increased sensitivity to proteolytic degradation. Nevertheless, this recombinant Fab reagent with dial diagnostic specificity performed very effectively in whole-blood diagnosis of patients infected with either HIV-1 or HIV-2. Conclusion: A recombinant 10 Fab fragment terminated by immunoreactive peptide epitopes can be expressed in E. coli in a soluble, antigen-binding form, and it can successfully mimic the commercial Fab-HIV reagents in whole-blood agglutination assays.     

Trophozoites of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Entamoeba histolytica</Emphasis> express a CD59-like molecule in human colon

In vitro studies have proved the presence of epitopes of CD59 in the surface of trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica). However, it has not been proved if CD59 molecules are expressed in the surface during the trophozoites’ tissue invasion. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the complement-regulatory protein CD59 is present on trophozoites of E. histolytica in human colon. Eleven specimens of amoebic colitis were studied by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy techniques with a monoclonal antibody against human CD59 molecule. Our results show that a CD59-like molecule is expressed in trophozoites of E. histolytica found in colonic amebic lesions. Also, a CD59-like molecule was detected by western blot analysis in whole lysate of E. histolytica as well as on the plasma membrane by immunocytochemistry. These results suggest that E. histolytica can use CD59-like protein against the lytic action of membrane attack complex.     

Improved affinity of a human anti-Entamoeba histolytica Gal/GalNAc lectin Fab fragment by a single amino acid modification of the light chain

We previously produced, in Escherichia coli, a human monoclonal antibody Fab fragment, CP33, specific for the galactose- and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine-inhibitable lectin of Entamoeba histolytica. To prepare antibodies with a higher affinity to the lectin, recombination PCR was used to exchange Ser91 and Arg96 in the third complementarity-determining region of the light chain with other amino acids. The screening of 200 clones of each exchange by an indirect fluorescent antibody test showed that 14 clones for Ser91 and nine clones for Arg96 reacted strongly with E. histolytica trophozoites. Sequence analyses revealed that the substituted amino acids at Ser91 were Ala in five clones, Gly in three clones, Pro in two clones, and Val in two clones, while the amino acid at position 96 was substituted with Leu in three clones. The remaining eight clones exhibited no amino acid change at position 91 or 96. These mutant Fab fragments were purified and subjected to a surface plasmon resonance assay to measure the affinity of these proteins to the cysteine-rich domain of lectin. Pro or Gly substitution for Ser91 caused an increased affinity of the Fab, but substitution with Ala or Val did not. The replacement of Arg96 with Leu did not affect affinity. These results demonstrate that modification of antibody genes by recombination PCR is a useful method for affinity maturation and that amino acid substitution at position 91 yields Fabs with increased affinity for the lectin.     

人源抗人免疫缺陷病毒1型噬菌体抗体库的构建及筛选

目的构建人免疫缺陷病毒１型（ＨＩＶ－１）特异性噬菌体抗体库，制备人源抗ＨＩＶ－１ｇｐ１２０单克隆抗体。方法以半巢式聚合酶链反应（ＰＣＲ）从ＨＩＶ－１感染者外周血单个核淋巴细胞中扩增抗体重链Ｆｄ和轻链（ｋ）基因，与噬菌体载体ｐＣｏｍｂ３连接，构建噬菌体抗体Ｆａｂ组合文库。对抗体库进行３轮吸附－洗脱－扩增的亲和选择后，以ＥＬＩＳＡ法筛选抗ＨＩＶ－１ｇｐ１２０噬菌体抗体，并进行ＤＮＡ序列分析和Ｆａｂ的可溶性表达。结果半巢式ＰＣＲ有效地扩增出Ｆｄ和ｋ基因，以此构建成容量为１９５×１０７的噬菌体抗体库。３轮亲和选择使特异性抗体得到高度富集，抗ＨＩＶ－１ｇｐ１２０噬菌体抗体阳性克隆占３２％。对一阳性克隆抗体基因ＣＨ１和ＣＬ部分ＤＮＡ序列进行了测定，并在大肠杆菌表达出可溶性Ｆａｂ。结论抗ＨＩＶ－１特异性噬菌体抗体库的构建和人源抗ＨＩＶ－１ｇｐ１２０单克隆抗体的制备为今后筛选抗ＨＩＶ中和抗体奠定了基础，具有重要的应用价值。     

Knockdown of Five Genes Encoding Uncharacterized Proteins Inhibits Entamoeba histolytica Phagocytosis of Dead Host Cells

Entamoeba histolytica is the protozoan parasite that causes invasive amebiasis, which is endemic to many developing countries and characterized by dysentery and liver abscesses. The virulence of E. histolytica correlates with the degree of host cell engulfment, or phagocytosis, and E. histolytica phagocytosis alters amebic gene expression in a feed-forward manner that results in an increased phagocytic ability. Here, we used a streamlined RNA interference screen to silence the expression of 15 genes whose expression was upregulated in phagocytic E. histolytica trophozoites to determine whether these genes actually function in the phagocytic process. When five of these genes were silenced, amebic strains with significant decreases in the ability to phagocytose apoptotic host cells were produced. Phagocytosis of live host cells, however, was largely unchanged, and the defects were surprisingly specific for phagocytosis. Two of the five encoded proteins, which we named E. histolytica ILWEQ (EhILWEQ) and E. histolytica BAR (EhBAR), were chosen for localization via SNAP tag labeling and localized to the site of partially formed phagosomes. Therefore, both EhILWEQ and EhBAR appear to contribute to E. histolytica virulence through their function in phagocytosis, and the large proportion (5/15 [33%]) of gene-silenced strains with a reduced ability to phagocytose host cells validates the previously published microarray data set demonstrating feed-forward control of E. histolytica phagocytosis. Finally, although only limited conclusions can be drawn from studies using the virulence-deficient G3 Entamoeba strain, the relative specificity of the defects induced for phagocytosis of apoptotic cells but not healthy cells suggests that cell killing may play a rate-limiting role in the process of Entamoeba histolytica host cell engulfment.     

噬菌体呈现抗体库的构建及抗Fas—Fab抗体的研究

目的构建噬菌体抗体库,获得具有功能的抗Fas-Fab噬菌体抗体。方法以Fas重组蛋白为抗原免疫Balb/c小鼠。取其脾细胞提取mRNA,采用RT-PCR方法扩增抗体基因,构建重链和κ链基因库,用重组Fas抗原对所构建的抗体库进行4轮筛选,并以ELISA法鉴定其功能。结果获得抗体重链Fd基因和κ链基因长度约700bp。构建的重链Fd基因为3.5×106的抗体重链基因库。构建的重链和κ链基因库的容量均为3.1×106。经VCSM13感染得到噬菌体的滴度为8.9×1016cFu/L的噬菌体抗体库,含有抗体重链和κ链基因的噬菌体占27％。用重组人Fas抗原进行4轮筛选,得到100％的富集,说明Fas重组抗原富集了抗Fas-Fab噬菌体抗体,经ELISA检测均有抗Fas抗体的特异性。结论制备的可溶性抗Fas-Fab抗体具有抗Fas抗体的特异性,为进一步的研究奠定了基础。     

Affinity maturation of recombinant antibodies using E. coli mutator cells

Background: Phage libraries can display repertoires of antibodies which are greater in number than the mammalian immune response. However, the selected antibodies often have low binding affinity to their target antigen or hapten (K_D below 10⁻⁶ M), which is characteristic of the primary immune repertoire. There is a need for procedures to mimic somatic hypermutation through antigen driven affinity maturation, thereby increasing the affinity of selected immunoglobulins. Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of mutation and affinity selection of recombinant antibody genes with mutator E. coli cells, incorporating phage-display strategies. Study design: Unique human scFvs were selected from a naive Fd-phage library. These genes were mutated by propagation in mutD5 mutator E. coli cells (mutD5-FIT) which were competent for Fd (M13) based phagemid transfections and generated point mutations (transversions and transitions) in the scFv genes. Individual phage-displayed scFvs were affinity selected from the mutation library and were assayed as soluble scFvs by ELISA and BIAcore for binding to antigen. Results: The in vivo mutation of phage-displayed scFvs in E. coli mutD5-FIT, combined with affinity selection against antigen, produced scFv molecules with improved binding activity. The point mutations which resulted in single amino acid substitutions frequently produced ten fold increases in apparent binding affinity. Structural comparisons revealed that these point mutations were in framework regions (adjacent to the CDRs) and within the CDRs. In one case the apparent affinity of an antiglycophorin scFv after mutation in the VL framework region close to CDR3 increased by 10³. However, this increase in apparent affinity was accompanied by an increased propensity to dimerise and form aggregates. Conclusions: A strategy for the rapid affinity maturation of scFv and Fab antibody fragments has been developed which utilises mutator strains of E. coli and incorporates phage display of antibody repertoires (libraries).     

Separation of E. coli expressing functional cell-wall bound antibody fragments by FACS

Background: The rapid development of recombinant antibody technology in the last few years has facilitated the generation of antibody libraries in bacteria. Recombinant antibodies against various antigens have been selected from these libraries by presenting each antibody on the surface of a phagemid particle that contains the antibody's gene. An alternative screening system is the display of antibody fragments on bacteria. A major advantage is the possibility to select single cells directly from a large number of bacteria by using fluorescently labeled antigens and fluorescence assisted cell sorting (FACS). Objectives: pAP is an expression vector for the bacterial display of antibody fragments. E. coli transformed with pAP express a single chain antibody (scFv) fused to the peptidoglycan-associated-lipoprotein (PAL). This fusion protein binds strongly to the cell wall. To employ this system for screening, we have investigated the possibility of selecting antigen-specific clones by FACS. Study design and results: Several DNA fragments coding for various scFvs were inserted into the pAP expression vector. E. coli were transformed with these plasmids and immunostained with fluorescent antigens under given conditions. We were able to select stained E. coli expressing a specific scFv from unstained E. coli expressing a non-binding scFv by FACS. The specific selection of the bacteria was demonstrated by amplifying their genes by PCR. Conclusions: Conditions are described for separating E. coli containing scFv bound to their cell wall by FACS using fluorescently labeled antigens. These studies provide a basis for screening libraries of scFv antibodies.     

Immunization with the Entamoeba histolytica Surface Metalloprotease EhMSP-1 Protects Hamsters from Amebic Liver Abscess

Diarrhea and amebic liver abscesses due to invasive Entamoeba histolytica infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the developing world. Entamoeba histolytica adherence and cell migration, two phenotypes linked to virulence, are both aberrant in trophozoites deficient in the metallosurface protease EhMSP-1, which is a homologue of the Leishmania vaccine candidate leishmanolysin (GP63). We examined the potential of EhMSP-1 for use as a vaccine antigen to protect against amebic liver abscesses. First, existing serum samples from South Africans naturally infected with E. histolytica were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the presence of EhMSP-1-specific IgG. Nine of 12 (75%) people with anti-E. histolytica IgG also had EhMSP-1-specific IgG antibodies. We next used a hamster model of amebic liver abscess to determine the effect of immunization with a mixture of four recombinant EhMSP-1 protein fragments. EhMSP-1 immunization stimulated a robust IgG antibody response. Furthermore, EhMSP-1 immunization of hamsters reduced development of severe amebic liver abscesses following intrahepatic injection of E. histolytica by a combined rate of 68% in two independent animal experiments. Purified IgG from immunized compared to control animals bound to the surface of E. histolytica trophozoites and accelerated amebic lysis via activation of the classical complement cascade. We concluded that EhMSP-1 is a promising antigen that warrants further study to determine its full potential as a target for therapy and/or prevention of invasive amebiasis.     

Protection of hamsters from amebic liver abscess formation by immunization with the 150- and 170-kDa surface antigens of Entamoeba histolytica

A monoclonal antibody, EH3015, prevents in vitro adherence of Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites to mammalian cells and inhibits amebic liver abscess formation in hamsters. By immunoaffinity chromatography with the monoclonal antibody, purified E. histolytica antigens with molecular masses of 150 and 170 kDa under non-reduced conditions were obtained. Hamsters were immunized with these antigens (group I) or with fractions further purified by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (group II). Pooled immune sera from the two groups inhibited in vitro amebic adherence to Chinese hamster ovary cells by 98% at 1:10 dilutions. The immunized hamsters were challenged by the intrahepatic injection of E. histolytica trophozoites. Complete protection from abscess formation was observed in 38% of hamsters in group I and 67% in group II, whereas all control hamsters inoculated only with adjuvant developed amebic liver abscesses. In the immunized hamsters, the abscesses in the two groups were significantly smaller than in the controls. These results demonstrate that the E. histolytica antigens are possible vaccine candidates for amebiasis. Received: 10 August 2000 / Accepted: 5 September 2000     

构建预设CDR3基因噬菌体抗体库筛选抗人整合素ανβ3 mAb的人源化Fab

目的:构建预设CDR3基因的噬菌体抗体库,通过抗原表位导向选择方法筛选抗人整合素ανβ3单克隆抗体(mAb)人源化Fab。方法:将鼠mAbLCDR3重组到人轻链可变区文库中并与人/鼠嵌合重链Fd基因配对构建杂合噬菌体抗体库,用固相人整合素ανβ3抗原筛选人源化轻链基因。再用所获人轻链基因与移植有鼠mAbHCDR3的人重链Fd基因配对构建人源噬菌体抗体库,筛选人源化Fab。结果:分别构建了库容为2.1×106和2×107的杂合噬菌体抗体库和人源噬菌体抗体库,筛选到3株人源Fab克隆。经间接ELISA及竞争抑制ELISA证实,能特异结合整合素ανβ3抗原,其中人源D5株Fab克隆的基因序列表明,人轻链可变区基因属VKIII亚群,人重链可变区基因属VH1亚群。结论:利用噬菌体抗体库技术,成功地进行了鼠抗人整合素ανβ3mAbE10人源化的改造,为进一步临床应用奠定了基础。     

Protection of hamsters from amebic liver abscess formation by a monoclonal antibody to a 150-kDa surface lectin of Entamoeba histolytica

We examined the effects of passive immunization with a monoclonal antibody (EH3015) that recognizes a 150-kDa surface lectin of Entamoeba histolytica on amebic liver-abscess formation in hamsters. The hamsters were inoculated i.p with 0.1, 1.0, or 10 mg of EH3015 at 24 h prior to an intrahepatic challenge with 10⁵ trophozoites of E. histolytica. In hamsters treated with 1.0 and 10 mg of EH3015 the incidence of liver abscesses was significantly reduced. These results demonstrate that monoclonal antibody EH3015 can prevent the development of amebic liver abscesses and that the 150-kDa lectin may be a protective antigen on the surface of E. histolytica. Received: 5 May 1998 / Accepted: 28 May 1998     

Recombinant fusion proteins for haemagglutination-based rapid detection of antibodies to HIV in whole blood

Recombinant fusion proteins, consisting of a monovalent anti-human RBC monoclonal antibody B6, and conserved immunodominant peptide of HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp41 or HIV-2 envelope glycoprotein gp36, have been designed and purified after over-expression in E. coli. These fusion proteins are Fab-based and were obtained by assembling the light chain with Fd (variable domain and the first constant domain of the heavy chain) or Fd fusions containing HIV-derived peptide, and following a protocol of in vitro denaturation of inclusion bodies and subsequent renaturation to assemble functional Fab. Using a multistep column chromatographic procedure, monomeric Fab and Fab fusion proteins containing HIV-derived peptide were purified to high degree, free of aggregates. The yield of various proteins on the laboratory scale (1-2 l of shake flask culture) was in the range of tens of milligram. Purified anti-human RBC Fab fusion proteins containing sequences derived from HIV-1 gp41 and HIV-2 gp36 were highly specific for detection of antibodies to HIV-1 and HIV-2, respectively. The described design, expression and purification protocols will make it possible to produce specific recombinant reagents in large quantities for agglutination-based rapid detection of antibodies to HIV in whole blood.     

High prevalence of infection with Entamoeba dispar, but not E. histolytica, in captive macaques

A total of 268 nonhuman primates (20 species) kept in the Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Japan, were surveyed for intestinal amebas. Total positive rates as based on the presence of cysts in the stool following formalin-ether sedimentation were as follows: Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar, 53%; E. coli, 34%; E. hartmanni, 34%; Iodamoeba buetschlii, 25%; Endolimax nana, 8%; and E. chattoni, 3%. Positive rates were higher in Old World monkeys and lower in New World monkeys. All the 141 E. histolytica/E. dispar-positive animals were Macaca monkeys. The E. histolytica/E. dispar-positive samples were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for identification of E. histolytica and E. dispar. E. dispar DNA was detected in 137 samples, whereas no E. histolytica DNA was seen. Zymodeme analysis and reactivity to monoclonal antibodies of cultured trophozoites also supported the presence of E. dispar and the absence of E. histolytica. When the sera of 93 macaques were examined by an indirect fluorescent antibody test, only 3 animals proved to be positive for E. histolytica, showing the lowest titer. These results demonstrate that infection with E. dispar, but not E. histolytica, is predominant in macaques. Received: 23 March 2000 / Accepted: 3 July 2000     

人源性噬菌体抗体库的构建及抗amylin抗体的初步筛选

目的:构建人源性噬菌体抗体库,从中筛选胰淀素(amylin)单克隆抗体(mAb),测定其特异性及抗原结合活性。方法:从正常健康人的外周血淋巴细胞中提取总RNA,用RT-PCR方法扩增人免疫球蛋白Fd段和轻链基因,构建噬菌体抗体库。酶切和PCR鉴定后,阳性克隆进行DNA测序分析。用人amylin抗原对抗体库进行筛选富集,将得到的阳性克隆进行Phage-ELISA鉴定,结果进行统计学分析。结果:最终构建的抗体库库容约为0.8×108,酶切鉴定显示有插入片段,抗体库重组率为70%。阳性克隆进行DNA测序证实所获基因为人免疫球蛋白可变区基因。以amylin抗原进行3轮筛选,抗体库得到特异性富集。阳性克隆进行Phage-ELISA检测证实有良好的抗胰淀素抗原的特异性。结论:成功构建了一个人源性噬菌体抗体库,为从中获得人源抗amylin的mAb奠定了实验基础。     

HIV-1 gp41-specific monoclonal mucosal IgAs derived from highly exposed but IgG-seronegative individuals block HIV-1 epithelial transcytosis and neutralize CD4+ cell infection: an IgA gene and functional analysis

AIDS is mainly a sexually transmitted disease, and accordingly, mucosal tissues are the primary sites of natural human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) transmission. Mucosal immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibody specific for HIV-1 envelope gp41 subunit is one correlate of protection in individuals who are highly sexually exposed to HIV-1 but remain persistently IgG seronegative (HEPS). Understanding these peculiar IgAs at the gene and functional level is possible only with monoclonal IgAs. We have constructed a mucosal Fab IgA library from HEPS and have characterized a series of HIV-1 IgAs specific for gp41 that, in vitro, are transcytosis-blocking and infection-neutralizing. Characterization of their IgA genes shows that Fab specific for the gp41 membrane-proximal region harbors a long heavy-chain CDR3 loop (CDRH3) similar to the two broadly neutralizing IgG monoclonal antibodies, 2F5 and 4E10. Furthermore, the selected Fab IgA shows extensive somatic mutations that cluster in the CDR regions, indicating that affinity maturation due to an antigen-driven process had occurred in HEPS individuals, presumably upon multiple exposures to HIV. This analysis of HEPS monoclonal IgA gives a unique opportunity to correlate an antibody function (resistance to a pathogen in vivo) with an antibody gene. Such neutralizing monoclonal IgAs could be used in microbicide formulation.