Brucella ribosomal protein L7/L12 is a major component in the antigenicity of brucellin INRA for delayed-type hypersensitivity in brucella-sensitized guinea pigs.

A delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction in the course of brucellosis in humans and animals can be revealed by the brucellin INRA (Brucellergen) skin test. Brucellergen is composed of more than 20 proteins of different molecular weights. A 12-kDa protein eliciting DTH in Brucella melitensis Rev1-sensitized guinea pigs was found to be a significant component for the allergenic properties of Brucellergen. Sequencing of the gene encoding this protein identified it as the L7/L12 ribosomal protein. The L7/L12 gene of B. melitensis was amplified by PCR and subcloned in the Escherichia coli pQE30 plasmid. The resulting recombinant protein did not produce a DTH reaction in sensitized animals. It was used to raise specific antibodies in a rabbit. Affinity chromatography with these antibodies was used to isolate a single protein from Brucellergen and from B. melitensis cytosol preparations which produced a DTH reaction in guinea pigs sensitized with B. melitensis Rev1. N-terminal amino acid sequencing of the protein confirmed that it was the L7/L12 ribosomal protein. This is the first complete report on the involvement of a defined bacterial ribosomal protein in the DTH response of animals infected with intracellularly multiplying bacteria.     

布氏杆菌pCDNA3.1-L7/L12核酸疫苗的构建及其免疫学评价

目的 获得布氏杆菌保护性抗原L2／L12重组蛋白及pCDNA3．1-L7／L12重组质粒，并比较其诱导特异性免疫应答的能力。方法 PCR扩增布氏杆菌核蛋白L7／L12基因分别构建至原核表达载体PET32a( )和真核表达载体pCDNA3.1( )中；pET32a-L7／L12重组质粒转化BL21(DE3)，所表达蛋白经SDS-PAGE、免疫印迹分析、纯化后免疫小鼠；pCDNA3.1-12／L12重组质粒配以GM-CSF同时肌肉注射免疫小鼠，3次免疫后测定免疫功能进行免疫效果的评价。结果ELISA、Western blot检测到免疫鼠体内有特异性抗体产生，蛋白苗所诱导的抗体效价远远高于DNA疫苗；通过淋巴细胞增殖实验、细胞因子和CD分子测定表明DNA疫苗以诱发TH1型免疫为主。结论 所构建的布氏杆菌DNA疫苗和蛋白苗均具有诱导特异性细胞和体液免疫应答的能力，DNA疫苗诱导产生的细胞免疫反应强于蛋白苗，可作为潜在的布氏菌新型疫苗，有进一步研究的意义。     

以减毒沙门菌为载体布鲁氏菌DNA疫苗的构建及免疫原性分析

目的 构建携带布鲁氏菌BLS-L7/L12融合基因的重组减毒沙门菌并进行免疫原性分析,为口服布鲁氏菌DNA疫苗研究奠定基础.方法将BLS-7/L12融合基因克隆到真核表达载体asd -pVAX1,依次将重组质粒转化减毒沙门菌X3730、X4550得到重组沙门菌X4550(asd -pVAX1-BLS-L7/L12).以1×109CFU/只的剂量口服免疫Balb/C小鼠,3次免疫后进行免疫效果的评价.结果构建的重组减毒沙门菌质粒转染COS-7细胞经免疫组化和Western-blot试验证明BLS-L7/L12融合蛋白在细胞中得到了瞬时表达,ELISA检测到免疫小鼠血清和肠黏液中有特异性抗体IgG和sIgA产生.通过淋巴细胞增殖实验、细胞因子和CD分子测定表明DNA疫苗以诱发Th1型免疫为主.结论 所构建的以重组沙门菌为载体口服布鲁氏菌DNA疫苗具有诱导特异性细胞免疫和体液免疫应答的能力,且以细胞免疫应答为主.可作为潜在的布鲁氏菌新型疫苗.     

Immunogenicity of recombinant L7/L12 ribosomal protein of Neisseria meningitidis--high prevalence of specific antibodies in humans but limited immunogenicity for T cells

The rplL gene, coding for ribosomal protein L7/L12 of Neisseria meningitidis was cloned and expressed as a fusion protein. The recombinant protein was used in Western blots and lymphocyte proliferation assays to study the prevalence of specific antibodies in human sera and the immunogenicity for the cellular immune system. Most of the serum samples studied were found to be positive for L7/L12-specific antibodies. A number of peripheral blood mononuclear cell preparations tested displayed activation in lymphocyte proliferation assays. The magnitude of activation (stimulation index) was moderate, and there was no correlation with a history of meningococcal disease. The high prevalence of specific antibodies is explained by the high carriage rate of meningococci in the normal population or cross-reactivity to ribosomal proteins of other bacteria, thus indicating immunogenicity. However, meningococcal L7/L12 does not seem to be a potential T cell antigen.     

Subcloning and expression of the Brucella abortus L7/L12 ribosomal gene and T-lymphocyte recognition of the recombinant protein.

The Brucella abortus L7/L12 ribosomal gene was amplified by PCR and subcloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pMAL-c2. Escherichia coli DH5 alpha was transformed with the pMAL-L7/L12 construct, and gene expression was induced by IPTG (isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside). The resulting fusion protein was purified by affinity chromatography and confirmed by Western blot (immunoblot) analysis using an anti-maltose-binding protein antibody. Additionally, purified recombinant L7/L12 protein induced T-lymphocyte proliferation of B. abortus-primed bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Phenotypic analysis of the proliferating cell population demonstrated an increase in the percentage of CD4+ T lymphocytes when peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured with recombinant L7/L12 compared with cells cultured in medium alone. Subcloning and expression of a B. abortus gene encoding a previously demonstrated immunodominant protein for bovine lymphocytes are important steps in selecting Brucella proteins that have potential as a component of a genetically engineered candidate vaccine.     

Protective immunity elicited by a divalent DNA vaccine encoding both the L7/L12 and Omp16 genes of Brucella abortus in BALB/c mice

This study was designed to evaluate the immunogenicity and the protective efficacy of a divalent fusion DNA vaccine encoding both the Brucella abortus L7/L12 protein (ribosomal protein) and Omp16 protein (outer membrane lipoprotein), designated pcDNA3.1-L7/L12-Omp16. Intramuscular injection of this divalent DNA vaccine into BALB/c mice elicited markedly both humoral and cellular immune responses. The specific antibodies exhibited a dominance of immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) over IgG1. In addition, the dual-gene DNA vaccine elicited a strong T-cell proliferative response and induced a large amount of gamma interferon-producing T cells upon restimulation in vitro with recombinant fusion protein L7/L12-Omp16, suggesting the induction of a typical T-helper-1-dominated immune response in vivo. This divalent DNA vaccine could also induce a significant level of protection against challenge with the virulent strain B. abortus 544 in BALB/c mice. Furthermore, the protection level induced by the divalent DNA vaccine was significantly higher than that induced by the univalent DNA vaccines pcDNA3.1-L7/L12 or pcDNA3.1-Omp16. Taken together, the results of this study verify for the first time that the Omp16 gene can be a candidate target for a DNA vaccine against brucellosis. Additionally, a divalent genetic vaccine based on the L7/L12 and Omp16 genes can elicit a stronger cellular immune response and better immunoprotection than the relevant univalent vaccines can.     

Vaccination with recombinant L7/L12-truncated Omp31 protein induces protection against Brucella infection in BALB/c mice

Brucellosis is the most common bacterial zoonotic disease worldwide and no vaccine is available for the prevention of human brucellosis. In humans, brucellosis is mostly caused by Brucella melitensis and Brucella abortus. The Outer membrane protein 31 (Omp31) and L7/L12 are immunodominant and protective antigens conserved in human Brucella pathogens. In the present study, we evaluated the humoral and cellular immune responses induced by a fusion protein designed based on the Truncated form of Omp31 (TOmp31) and L7-L12 antigens. Vaccination of BALB/c mice with the recombinant fusion protein (rL7/L12-TOmp31) provided the significant protection level against B. melitensis and B. abortus challenge. Moreover, rL7/L12-TOmp31 elicited a strong specific IgG response (higher IgG2a titers) and significant IFN-γ/IL2 production and T-cell proliferation was also observed. The T helper1 (Th1) oriented response persisted for 12 weeks after the first immunization. The rL7/L12-TOmp31 could be a new potential antigen candidate for the development of a subunit vaccine against B. melitensis and B. abortus.     

Ribosomal protein L7 included in tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) is a major heat-resistant protein inducing strong delayed-type hypersensitivity

The tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) is a widely used diagnostic antigen for tuberculosis. It consists of more than 100 denatured proteins in a culture filtrate of a heated culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In two-dimensional electrophoretic analysis of PPDs from M. tuberculosis and M. bovis BCG, most proteins were diffusely separated and could not be seen as spots because of denaturation, whereas a few proteins showed relatively clear spots, indicating heat resistance. Two such proteins corresponded to ribosomal proteins L7 and L12. The mixture of these proteins L7/L2 induced a strong delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction. Another protein showing a clear spot was a GroES analogue, but this did not induce delayed-type hypersensitivity. There were a few other unidentified proteins. It is well known that L7 and L12 are encoded by the same gene and that they differ from each other only by an acetylic post-translational modification that occurs at the N-terminus of L12 converting it to L7 in Escherichia coli. L12, but not L7, was found in two-dimensional electrophoresis of BCG ribosomes, although we found two proteins corresponding to L7 and L12 in PPDs and a native culture filtrate of BCG. We compared the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction elicited by L7/L12 derived from a culture filtrate of BCG and L12 derived from BCG ribosomes. L7/L12 from the culture filtrate could induce delayed-type hypersensitivity, but L12 from ribosomes could not, indicating that L7 was attributable to the induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity. The activity of L7/L12 was heat resistant. Neither glycosylation nor phosphorylation of L7/L12 from a culture filtrate could be detected. The acetylation at N-terminal of L12 was essential for the delayed-type hypersensitivity activity.     

Epitope mapping of the Brucella melitensis BP26 immunogenic protein: usefulness for diagnosis of sheep brucellosis

Sequencing of bp26, the gene encoding the Brucella sp. immunogenic BP26 periplasmic protein, was performed in the reference strains of Brucella abortus, B. suis, and B. ovis. The three bp26 sequences were almost identical to that published for B. melitensis 16M bp26, and only minor nucleotide substitutions, without modifying the amino acid sequence, were observed between species. The bp26 genes of the seven B. abortus biovar reference strains and B. abortus S19 and RB51 vaccine strains were also sequenced. Again, only minor differences were found. Surprisingly, the bp26 nucleotide sequence for B. abortus S19 was almost identical to that found for B. melitensis 16M and differed from the sequence described previously by others (O. L. Rossetti, A. I. Arese, M. L. Boschiroli, and S. L. Cravero, J. Clin. Microbiol. 34:165-169, 1996) for the same B. abortus strain. The epitope mapping of BP26, performed by using a panel of monoclonal antibodies and recombinant DNA techniques, allowed the identification of an immunodominant region of the protein interesting for the diagnosis of B. melitensis and B. ovis infection in sheep. A recombinant fusion protein containing this region of BP26 reacted indeed, in Western blotting, as the entire recombinant BP26 against sera from B. melitensis- or B. ovis-infected sheep while it avoided false-positive reactions observed with sera from Brucella-free sheep when using the entire recombinant BP26. Thus, use of this recombinant fusion protein instead the entire recombinant BP26 could improve the specific serological diagnosis of B. melitensis or B. ovis infection in sheep.     

卵巢癌抗独特型单链抗体6B11ScFv／鼠HSP70融合蛋白复性条件的研究

目的探讨大肠杆菌表达的卵巢癌抗独特型单链抗体／小鼠热休克蛋白70（6811ScFv／mHSP70）融合蛋白包涵体变性、复性条件,以确定其最佳体外复性条件。方法大肠杆菌表达大量融合蛋白6811ScFv／mHSP70：①比较不同的裂解液（8mol／L尿素和6mol／L盐酸胍）对包涵体的裂解效率及其对复性蛋白活性的影响;②探索序贯稀释方法,以及氧化还原环境和复性液中不同浓度L-精氨酸对蛋白稀释复性的影响;③比较稀释复性和柱。卜复性对融合蛋白复性效率及活性的影响。采用Bradford法测定包涵体裂解液与复性后蛋白浓度。所有复性蛋白活性的检测均采用ELISA方法。结果以包涵体形式表达6811ScFv／mHSP70蛋白：①经6mol／L盐酸胍裂解包涵体的效率远高于8mol/L尿素,但前者复性所得蛋白活性低,6mol／L盐酸胍彻底裂解的包涵体经8mol／L尿素透析后再复性,复性效率显著提高;②序贯稀释方法可提高蛋白复性效率;加入0．5mol／L L-精氨酸可降低稀释复性过程中蛋白聚集物的产生,提高复性效率;加入还原型谷胱甘肽（GSH）与氧化型谷胱甘肽（GSSH）浓度比为1：5时,可提高复性后蛋白活性;③柱上复性可一步完成蛋白的复性和纯化,所得蛋白纯度较高,但复性效率和复性后蛋白活性较稀释复性低。结论本研究建立了6811ScFv／mHSP70融合蛋白的最佳复性条件：包涵体经6mol／L盐酸胍彻底裂解后,再经8mol／L尿素透析,然后进行序贯稀释复性,且复性液中加入0．5mol／L L-精氨酸和GSH：GSSH=1：5以提高复性效率和蛋白活性,为进一步研究该蛋白的功能奠定了基础。     

重组质粒pYTA/Aβ-HBcAg的构建及其在大肠杆菌中的表达

目的 :研究 β 淀粉样肽 (Aβ)与HBcAg的融合基因Aβ HBcAg的原核表达 ,并检测表达的融合蛋白Aβ HBcAg的免疫原性。方法 :从重组质粒 7Z/Aβ HBcAg中 ,切下含Aβ HBcAg的基因片段 ,将其融合于质粒pYTA1的lac启动子之后 ,构建重组表达质粒pYTA/Aβ HBcAg。以此重组质粒转化大肠杆菌DH5α,在IPTG诱导下表达。超声破碎表达的细菌 ,通过SDS PAGE及考马斯亮蓝染色 ,检测融合蛋白Aβ HBcAg的表达。采用ELISA法检测融合蛋白的反应原性。融合蛋白经饱和硫酸铵盐析法分离和纯化后免疫BALB/c小鼠 ,用ELISA法检测血清中抗 Aβ抗体的滴度。 结果 :融合蛋白以可溶性形式存在于细菌裂解液的上清中 ,其表达量为菌体总蛋白量的 7%。表达的融合蛋白既有Aβ的反应原性 ,又有与HBcAg的反应原性。经 3次免疫后 ,BALB/c小鼠血清中抗 Aβ抗体的滴度最高可达为 1∶16 0 0 0。结论 :融合基因Aβ HBcAg可在大肠杆菌DH5α中表达。表达产物为可溶性蛋白 ,存在于细菌裂解液的上清中 ,具有较强的免疫原性。本研究为正在进行的AD基因工程疫苗的动物实验打下了基础     

The effect of tigecycline and ertapenem against clinical isolates of Brucella melitensis detected by E-test on different media

In this study, in vitro activity of tigecycline (TIG) and ertapenem (ERT) against clinical isolates of Brucella melitensis and the effect of different media on in vitro test results were investigated. The in vitro effects of TIG and ERT to 38 B. melitensis isolates were comparatively investigated in brucella agar and 5% sheep blood agar. MIC value of ERT was 0.032 μg/mL in 23 of 38 and 20 of 38 isolates on blood and brucella agar, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration values of TIG were substantially different ranging between 0.064-0.25 μg/mL on blood agar. However, MIC values of TIG were similar on brucella agar with 0.25 μg/mL in 15 of 38 isolates and 0.5 μg/mL in 10 of 38 isolates. In conclusion, although ERT and TIG were effective against B. melitensis isolates in vitro, further studies are needed in order to determine the use of these novel drugs in treatment of brucellosis.     

人乳头瘤病毒18型L1-E6、L1-E7嵌合基因表达载体的构建及表达

目的 构建HPV 18 L1－E6，L1－E7嵌合基因的表达载体，并在CHO细胞中表达。方法 克隆HPV18 L1－E6和L1－E7基因，插入中介载体pGEMT-Easy中并测序鉴定。采用PCR定点突变法，突变L1－E6，L1－E7基因序列中与转化作用相关的位点，分别与L1基因连接后插入真核表达载体pVAX1，构建真核表达质粒pVAX-1L1 E6Mxx,L1E7Mxx。用磷酸钙沉淀法，转染CHO细胞，以抗HPV－18L1，抗E6和抗E7特异性单克隆抗体（mAb)做ELISA和免疫细胞化学法检测。结果 ELISA检测显示，转染各种pVAX1-LIE6Mxx-L1E7Mxx融合蛋白表达质粒的细胞提取物的P－N值均＞2．1；免疫细胞化学检测，在胞浆，胞核可见棕黄色颗粒。结论 我建的pVAX1-L1E6Mxx-E7Mxx融合蛋白质表达质粒，可在转当细胞内表达相应的L1－E6Mxx和L1－E7Mxx蛋白，为今后进行DNA疫苗的研究奠定了基础。     

Cloning, nucleotide sequence, and expression of the Brucella melitensis omp31 gene coding for an immunogenic major outer membrane protein.

The gene coding for the major outer membrane protein (OMP) of 31 to 34 kDa, now designated Omp31, of Brucella melitensis 16M was cloned and sequenced. A B. melitensis 16M genomic library was constructed in lambda GEM-12 XhoI half-site arms, and recombinant phages expressing omp31 were identified by using the anti-Omp31 monoclonal antibody (MAb) A59/10F09/G10. Subcloning of insert DNA from a positive phage into pGEM-7Zf allowed the selection of a plasmid bearing a 4.4-kb EcoRI fragment that seemed to contain the entire omp31 gene under control of its own promoter. omp31 was localized within a region of the EcoRI insert of approximately 1.1 kb. Sequencing of this region revealed an open reading frame of 720 bp encoding a protein of 240 amino acids and a predicted molecular mass of 25,307 Da. Cleavage of the first 19 amino acids, showing typical features of signal peptides for protein export, leaves a mature protein of 221 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 23,412 Da. The predicted amino acid sequence of B. melitensis 16M Omp31 showed 35.2% identity with the RopB OMP of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae 248 and 34.3% identity with Omp25 of B. abortus 544. As in Brucella spp., Omp31 was located in the outer membrane of recombinant Escherichia coli, but its reported peptidoglycan association in Brucella cells was not detected in E. coli. The ability of Omp31 to form oligomers resistant to sodium dodecyl sulfate denaturation at low temperatures, a characteristic described for several bacterial porins, was observed in both B. melitensis and recombinant E. coli. The epitope recognized by the anti-Omp31 MAb A59/10F09/G10, for which a protective activity has been suggested, has been delimited to a region of 36 amino acids of Omp31 covering the most hydrophilic part of the protein. The availability of recombinant Omp31 and the identification of the antigenic determinant recognized by MAb A59/10F09/G10 will allow the evaluation of their potential protective activity and their potential for the development of subcellular vaccines against brucellosis.     

HPV11型L2E7融合蛋白的原核表达及其免疫效果观察

目的构建人乳头瘤病毒11型L2E7原核表达系统pET9aHPV11L2E7，并纯化蛋白进行小鼠免疫效果研究。方法从尖锐湿疣组织中扩增人乳头瘤病毒11型12、E7基因片段，构建DET9aHPV11L2E7原核表达重组质粒并测序，在大肠埃希菌宿主菌BL21（DE3＋）中经IPTG诱导表达融合蛋白L2E7（553个氨基酸），经SDS—PAGE电泳和Western Blot进行鉴定。CM离子交换介质纯化蛋白免疫BALB／c小鼠，进行细胞免疫水平和体液免疫水平的检测。结果成功构建了pET9 aHPV11L2E7原核表达系统，纯化获得的HPV11L2E7蛋白免疫BALB／c小鼠后能检测到针对HPV11E7特异性的细胞免疫，血清中能检测到高效价抗HPV11L2E7抗体。结论纯化的HPV11L2E7融合蛋白能够引发特异性细胞和体液免疫反应，能作为尖锐湿疣免疫治疗候选疫苗。     

人OX40L在BL-21大肠杆菌中的表达和生物学功能研究

目的：克隆和表达人可溶性OX40L重组蛋白(sOXdOL)，探讨OXdOL信号在T细胞对乳腺癌细胞反应中的协同刺激效应。方法：运用基因工程技术在大肠杆菌中表达人重组融合蛋白GST-sOX40L，Western blot分析表达蛋白的特异性；采用体外T细胞和乳腺癌细胞混合培养体系，观察对T细胞生长和增殖的影响。结果：构建了GST-sOX40L原核表达体系，从而进行重组蛋白的有效表达；纯化的重组蛋白通过免疫印迹分析能被特异性单抗识别，并在体外培养体系中显示出协同刺激T细胞对乳腺肿瘤细胞的反应性：促进T细胞生长、增殖以及IL-2的分泌。结论：成功地研制了具有生物学活性的sOX40L，为体外激发肿瘤特异性T细胞提供良好的物质基础。     

Role of L3T4+ lymphocytes in protective immunity to systemic Candida albicans infection in mice.

Protective immunity to lethal Candida albicans challenge in vivo and activation of splenic macrophages with highly candidacidal activity in vitro were detected in mice infected with low-virulence agerminative yeast cells of the variant strain PCA-2, at a time when a strong delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction to C. albicans occurred in the footpads of PCA-2-treated mice. The DTH reaction was transferable with spleen cell populations from these animals, and enrichment of splenic lymphocytes in L3T4+ cells significantly increased the footpad swelling. The reactivity transferred by L3T4+ cells was a radiosensitive (2,500 rads in vitro) phenomenon that required collaboration with radioresistant, silica-sensitive syngeneic cells in the host and was inhibited by treatment of recipient mice with antibodies to the L3T4 antigen or murine gamma interferon. In vitro, the PCA-2-immune L3T4+ cells produced various lymphokine activities upon incubation with C. albicans, including gamma interferon and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Anti-L3T4 monoclonal antibody treatment of PCA-2-infected mice significantly impaired their footpad reaction and resistance to C. albicans, as shown by increased recovery of yeast cells from the kidneys of anti-L3T4-treated mice. These results suggested that the mechanisms of anti-Candida resistance induced by PCA-2 may involve specific induction of a DTH response mediated by inflammatory L3T4+ T cells and lymphokine-activated phagocytic effectors. However, the survival rate of the PCA-2-immune mice challenged with C. albicans was not significantly modified by administration of the anti-L3T4 antibody, thus allowing for the conclusion that compensatory mechanisms lead to considerable anti-Candida resistance when the activity of L3T4+ cells is deficient.     

Purification and characterization of the fusion protein TGF-betaR II/Fc]

AIM: To express the fusion protein TGF-betaR II/Fc in large amounts by using recombinant Bac-TR II baculovirus expression system constructed by our laboratory and to purify and characterize it. Then, to verify whether the fusion protein TGF-betaR II/Fc can be able to block the biological activity of cytokine TGF-beta1. METHODS: The viral titer was determined by plaque forming test. The recombinant baculovirus was amplified by infecting sf9 cells. The fusion protein was purified by FPLC using protein G column. The purified product was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and the amount of target protein calculated by gray scanning. Western blot and sandwich ELISA were used to affirm the expression of the fusion protein. MTT colorimetry was used to test whether the fusion protein can block the inhibition effect of cytokine TGF-beta1 on the growth of L929 cells. It was to verify whether the fusion protein can reduce the fibronectin production in L929 cells accelerated by TGF-beta1 by western blot. RESULTS: The titer of recombinant Bac-TR II baculavirus in the primary culture fluid was 2x10(12) pfu/L. After electrophoresis, gray scanning analysis showed that the target protein accounted for 10 percent of the total protein. Western blot analysis and sandwich ELISA detection proved that the target protein has been expressed. The fusion protein could block the inhibitive effect of cytokine TGF-beta1 on the growth of L929 cells and fibronectin production in L929 cells. CONCLUSION: The fusion protein TGF-betaR II/Fc can inhibit the biological activity of TGF-beta1 in-vitro. This study will be helpful to the mass production of the fusion protein, and will facilitate its further use in the therapy of pulmonary fibrosis.     

Minor nucleotide substitutions in the omp31 gene of Brucella ovis result in antigenic differences in the major outer membrane protein that it encodes compared to those of the other Brucella species

The gene coding for the major outer membrane protein Omp31 was sequenced in five Brucella species and their biovars. Although the omp31 genes appeared to be highly conserved in the genus Brucella, nine nucleotide substitutions were detected in the gene of Brucella ovis compared to that of Brucella melitensis. As shown by differential binding properties of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to the two Brucella species, these nucleotide substitutions result in different antigenic properties of Omp31. The antigenic differences were also evidenced when sera from B. ovis-infected rams were tested by Western blotting with the recombinant B. melitensis or B. ovis Omp31 proteins. Twelve available sera reacted with recombinant B. ovis Omp31, but only four of them reacted with recombinant B. melitensis Omp31. These results validate previous evidence for the potential of Omp31 as a diagnostic antigen for B. ovis infection in rams and demonstrate that B. ovis Omp31, instead of B. melitensis Omp31, should be used to evaluate this point. The antigenic differences between the B. melitensis and B. ovis Omp31 proteins should also be taken into account when Omp31 is evaluated as a candidate for the development of subcellular vaccines against B. ovis infection. No reactivity against recombinant B. melitensis Omp31 was detected, by Western blotting, with sera from B. melitensis-infected sheep. Accordingly, Omp31 does not seem to be a good diagnostic antigen for B. melitensis infections in sheep. Two immunodominant regions were identified on the B. ovis Omp31 protein by using recombinant DNA techniques and specific MAbs. Sera from B. ovis-infected rams that reacted with the recombinant protein were tested by Western blotting against one of these immunodominant regions shown to be exposed at the bacterial surface. Only 4 of the 12 sera reacted, but with strong intensity.     

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.