Protection conferred on mice by combinations of monoclonal antibodies directed against outer-membrane proteins or smooth lipopolysaccharide of Brucella.

The effect of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) injected alone or in combination on brucella splenic infection in CD-1 mice was tested 7 and 21 days after a challenge with virulent Brucella abortus 544. Passive immunisation of mice with anti-25-27-kDa MAb alone, or mixed with protective anti-16.5 and anti-36-38-kDa MAbs, or with MAbs of the same specificity which were previously demonstrated to have no activity on CD-1 mice, produced a significant reduction of spleen counts of B. abortus (p less than 0.01). Other combinations of MAbs did not reduce splenic infection in comparison with the untreated control group. BALB/c mice were used to test the possible interference of the immune response of CD-1 mice against MAbs that were produced in BALB/c mice. No reduction of splenic infection was shown with anti-25-27- or -36-38-kDa MAbs, whereas anti-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) MAb which was produced in CBA mice was effective. Combination of anti-protein MAbs with the anti-LPS MAb produced only the effect of the anti-LPS MAb at 7 and 21 days after challenge.     

Identification of seven surface-exposed Brucella outer membrane proteins by use of monoclonal antibodies: immunogold labeling for electron microscopy and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

A panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to seven Brucella outer membrane proteins were characterized. These antibodies were obtained by immunizing mice with sodium dodecyl sulfate-insoluble (SDS-I) fractions, cell walls, or whole bacterial cells of Brucella abortus or B. melitensis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to screen the hybridoma supernatants and to determine their binding at the surface of rough and smooth B. abortus and B. melitensis cells. The outer membrane proteins (OMPs) recognized by these antibodies were the proteins with molecular masses of 25 to 27 kDa and 36 to 38 kDa (porin) (major proteins) and the proteins with molecular masses of 10, 16.5, 19, 31 to 34, and 89 kDa (minor proteins). Surface exposure of these OMPs was visualized by electron microscopy by using the MAbs and immunogold labeling. Binding of the MAbs on whole rough bacterial cells indicates that the 10-, 16.5-, 19-, 25- to 27-, 31- to 34-, 36- to 38-, and 89-kDa OMPs are exposed at the cell surface. However, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results indicate a much better binding of the anti-OMP MAbs on rough strains than on the corresponding smooth strains except for the anti-19-kDa MAb. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that on smooth B. abortus cells only the 89- and 31- to 34-kDa OMPs were not accessible to the MAbs tested. Binding of the anti-31- to 34-kDa MAb at the cell surface was observed for the rough B. abortus cells and for the rough and smooth B. melitensis cells. These results indicate the importance of steric hindrance due to the presence of the long lipopolysaccharide O side chains in the accessibility of OMPs on smooth Brucella strains and should be considered when undertaking vaccine development.     

Antibody response to Brucella outer membrane proteins in bovine brucellosis: immunoblot analysis and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using monoclonal antibodies.

Sera from Brucella-infected bovines were analyzed by immunoblotting by using sonicated cell extracts of B. melitensis or B. abortus and a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with monoclonal antibodies against outer membrane proteins (OMPs) with molecular masses of 10, 16.5, 19, 25 to 27, 36 to 38, and 89 kDa. Antibody responses against OMPs were compared with antibody responses against smooth lipopolysaccharide. Immunoblot analysis indicated that the antibody response in infected animals was largely different from one animal to another. The antigens of concern were OMPs with molecular masses of 10, 16.5, 19, 25 to 27, 36 to 38, and 89 kDa and other proteins with molecular masses of between 40 and 80 kDa. According to the specificity of the competitive ELISA, OMPs useful for the detection of infected animals are the OMPs of 10, 16.5, 19, 25 to 27, and 36 to 38 kDa. A competitive ELISA with the anti-89 kDa monoclonal antibody was not specific. Results of the competitive ELISA confirmed the individual variability of the humoral immune response against OMPs. It therefore seems that a combination of several protein antigens is necessary for the development of an immunoassay with a sensitivity comparable to that of the smooth lipopolysaccharide ELISA.     

Surface exposure of outer membrane protein and lipopolysaccharide epitopes in Brucella species studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometry.

Seven surface-exposed outer membrane proteins (OMPs) in Brucella supp. have been previously described (A. Cloeckaert, P. de Wergifosse, G. Dubray, and J. N. Limet, Infect. Immun. 58:3980-3987, 1990). OMPs were shown to be more accessible to monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) on rough (R) Brucella melitensis and B. abortus strains than to MAbs on their smooth (S) counterparts. In this work, we have extended this study to representatives of the main Brucella species, using MAbs specific for OMPs and S and R lipopolysaccharides (S-LPS and R-LPS). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), flow cytometry, and immunoelectron microscopy showed important differences between strains in the binding of OMP- and R-LPS-specific MAbs which were in part related to the particular expression of S-LPS, irrespective of the species. Results indicated that both the amount and the length of O polysaccharide on S-LPS greatly influenced the accessibility of OMP and R-LPS epitopes to MAbs. S-R B. melitensis EP and S B. suis 40, for instance, which express O-polysaccharide chains in small amounts and with short mean length, respectively, bound a greater number of OMP- and R-LPS-specific MAbs than the other S Brucella strains. The major 31- to 34-kDa OMP was the most exposed OMP on S strains of B. melitensis and B. suis. In most cases, flow cytometry results agreed with those of ELISA and supplied additional data, such as the homogeneity or heterogeneity of OMP expression at the strain level. However, there were some discordances between flow cytometry and ELISA results concerning the surface exposure of the 25- to 27-kDa and 31- to 34-kDa OMPs on S strains and that of minor OMPs in vaccine strain B. melitensis Rev.1. Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed the poor accessibility of OMPs to MAbs on the surface of S Brucella strains. The naturally R pathogenic species B. ovis and B. canis bound the majority of OMP-specific MAbs as well as the R-LPS-specific MAbs. Therefore, the conserved OMP and R-LPS epitopes could play a role as targets of protective antibody-mediated immunity in infections caused by naturally R B. ovis and B. canis.     

Monoclonal antibodies reactive with K1-encapsulated Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide are opsonic and protect mice against lethal challenge

Seven murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against O-side-chain determinants of the K1-encapsulated Bortolussi strain of Escherichia coli (O18:K1:H7) were evaluated for their in vitro and in vivo activities. All the MAbs reacted well in Western blots against E. coli O18 lipopolysaccharide antigens. Two MAbs of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) class promoted in vitro opsonophagocytosis and protected mice lethally challenged with bacteria. Two IgM MAbs showed partial protection, although they had no in vitro opsonic activity, and the remaining three IgM MAbs showed no apparent functional activities. Monoclonal IgG antibodies against bacterial lipopolysaccharide can be opsonic and protective in spite of the presence of the K1 capsule on the bacterium.     

Identification of some antigenically related outer-membrane proteins of strains of Vibrio cholerae O1 and non-O1 serovars involved in intestinal adhesion and the protective role of antibodies to them

Outer-membrane proteins (OMPs) of Vibrio cholerae strains of O1 and non-O1 serovars were studied. Marked similarity was found in the OMP profiles of different V. cholerae O1 strains but the OMP profile of a non-O1 strain was somewhat different. Antigenic relatedness between the OMPs of different V. cholerae strains was established by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunoblotting experiments demonstrated that at least two OMPs of 36 and 25-26 Kda were immunogenic and common to strains of O1 and non-O1 serovars. Antiserum raised against the outer membrane of a V. cholerae strain, and rendered specific for its OMP by absorption with lipopolysaccharide, inhibited in vitro the intestinal adhesion of the homologous and heterologous strains of V. cholerae irrespective of their biotype, serotype and serovar. Furthermore, antiserum to OMPs induced passive protection against vibrio challenge in rabbit ileal loop experiments. These results suggest that the OMPs may be useful in immunoprophylaxis against cholera.     

Characterisation and functional aspects of monoclonal antibodies specific for surface proteins of coagulase-negative staphylococci

Mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) raised against whole cells of Staphylococcus epidermidis strain 354 were characterised morphologically and functionally. Nine MAbs showed strong reactivity with coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS). Only two MAbs were specific for CNS; both belonged to the IgG1 subclass, and one, MAb 36.4, reacted only with the strain used for immunisation. In immunoblotting, both CNS-specific MAbs 36.3 and 36.4 reacted strongly with cell-wall protein bands of 220 Kda of S.epidermidis strain 354 and weak reactivity was observed with a 110-Kda band. MAb 36.3 reacted also with 220-230 Kda bands of two other S.epidermidis strains (291 and ATCC 35984) and a 160-180 Kda band of S.epidermidis strain 354. Only MAb 36.4 promoted phagocytosis of strain 354 by polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL) and monocytes, whereas MAb 36.3 and the other MAbs lacked this activity. Opsonisation of S. epidermidis with MAb 36.4 in the presence of complement enhanced uptake by PMNL, but not by monocytes. Furthermore, S.epidermidis strain 354 opsonised with MAb 36.4 induced chemiluminescence of PMNL. Immuno-gold electronmicroscopy with both MAbs 36.3 and 36.4 demonstrated a homogeneous distribution of gold particles on the surface as well as close to the surface of S.epidermidis.     

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to rat plasma kininogen

Five hybridoma cell lines were established that secrete monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against rat plasma low molecular weight plasma kininogen. Two of the secreted antibodies were of the IgG1k isotype. The remaining three were of the IgG1 lambda, IgG2ak and IgMk isotypes, respectively. The dissociation constants (Kd) of these MAbs ranged from 0.58 X 10(-9) M to 5.4 X 10(-9) M. At least two distinct epitopes on the rat plasma kininogen were recognized by these MAbs. Further characterization of the MAbs showed that four MAbs cross-reacted strongly with kininogen from the Murphy-Sturm lymphosarcoma (MSLS) tumor while one of the MAbs cross-reacted weakly with MSLS tumor kininogen.     

Protective activities in mice of monoclonal antibodies against pertussis toxin.

Pertussis toxin (PT) protein, which is the most important protective antigen of Bordetella pertussis, has a hexameric structure composed of five subunits, designated S1 through S5. Immunoprotective activity of 20 different mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against pertussis toxin, 10 anti-S1, 1 anti-S2, 2 anti-S3, 4 anti-S23, and 3 anti-S4 antibodies, were investigated by aerosol and intracerebral challenges with virulent B. pertussis organisms in mice. Four anti-S1, named 1B7, 1D7, 3F11, and 10D6, and three anti-S23 antibodies, named 11E6, 10B5, and 10C9, showed the highest, and almost complete, protectivity against the aerosol challenge. Mouse protectivity against the intracerebral challenge was significant for these four anti-S1 MAbs but not for any of the three anti-S23 MAbs. Four anti-S1 and two anti-S4 MAbs did not protect the mice against either challenge. The other seven MAbs also showed dose-dependent moderate but significant protection against the aerosol challenge. In the aerosol challenge system, bacterial numbers and amounts of PT detected in the lung and the number of peripheral leukocytes were lower in the mice given the protective MAbs. All mice surviving 5 weeks after the infection produced high titers of antibodies against PT, filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), and agglutinogens from the challenge organisms. A combination of the protective MAbs 1B7 and 11E6 strongly suppressed the disease and mortality of the mice at smaller amounts than with the anti-PT polyclonal antibody. Although combinations of one of the protective MAb and anti-FHA or anti-agglutinogen 2 also showed extremely high mouse protection without development of symptoms of the disease, antibody titers of the survivors against PT, FHA, and agglutinogens were significantly low. The foregoing results suggest that some important protective epitopes should be in S1 and S2 and/or S3, although there are both differences and similarities in the protective roles between anti-S1 and anti-S23 antibodies and also in the pathogenic mechanisms between aerosol and intracerebral infections. Furthermore, it was suggested that although not only FHA and agglutinogen 2 but also PT have roles as attachment factors, the processes of infection and protection are different between mice immunized with antibody against FHA or agglutinogen 2 and that against PT because the latter mice are also able to neutralize toxicity of PT diffused into the mice.     

Protection against Brucella melitensis or Brucella abortus in mice with immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgA, and IgM monoclonal antibodies specific for a common epitope shared by the Brucella A and M smooth lipopolysaccharides.

Mice passively immunized prior to a challenge infection with immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for a common epitope of both A- and M-dominant strains had viable Brucella abortus 544 or Brucella melitensis H38 counts in the spleen reduced to the same extent as did mice passively immunized with MAbs specific for either the A or the M epitope. The IgA MAb was not effective.     

Correlation between In Vitro Complement Deposition and Passive Mouse Protection of Anti-Pneumococcal Surface Protein A Monoclonal Antibodies

The shortcomings of the licensed polysaccharide-based pneumococcal vaccine are driving efforts toward development of a protein-based vaccine that is serotype independent and effective in all age groups. An opsonophagocytic killing assay (OPKA) is used to evaluate the antibody response against polysaccharide-based pneumococcal vaccines. However, the OPKA is not reliable for noncapsular antigens. Thus, there is a need to develop an in vitro surrogate for protection for protein vaccine candidates like pneumococcal surface antigen A (PspA). PspA is a serologically variable cell surface virulence factor. Based on its sequence, PspA has been classified into families 1 (clade 1 and 2), 2 (clades 3, 4 and 5), and 3 (clade 6). Here, we report the characterization of 18 IgG anti-PspA monoclonal antibodies (anti-PspA^hkR36A MAbs) generated from mice immunized with heat-killed strain R36A (clade 2). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based analysis of the reactivity of the MAbs with recombinant PspAs from the 6 clades indicated that they were family 1 specific. This was confirmed by flow cytometry using a hyperimmune serum generated against PspA from R36A. Eight MAbs that bind at least one clade 1- and clade 2-expressing strain were evaluated for complement deposition, bactericidal activity, and passive protection. The anti-PspA^hkR36A MAb-dependent deposition of complement on pneumococci showed a positive correlation with passive protection against strain WU2 (r = 0.8783, P = 0.0041). All of our protective MAbs showed bactericidal activity; however, not all MAbs that exhibited bactericidal activity conferred protection in vivo. The protective MAbs described here can be used to identify conserved protection eliciting B cell epitopes for engineering a superior PspA-based vaccine.     

Protective and nonprotective human immunoglobulin M monoclonal antibodies to Cryptococcus neoformans glucuronoxylomannan manifest different specificities and gene use profiles

The features of protective murine antibodies to the Cryptococcus neoformans capsular polysaccharide glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) have been rigorously investigated; however, the characteristics of protective human antibodies to GXM have not been defined. We produced monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) from XenoMouse mice (transgenic mice that express human immunoglobulin M [IgM], IgG2, and kappa) which were immunized with a C. neoformans serotype D strain 24067 GXM-diphtheria toxoid conjugate. This study reports the specificity and efficacy of three human IgM MAbs, G14, G15, and G19, generated from these mice. Each MAb was specific for GXM, but G14 and G19 had different specificity based on their binding to serotype A strain H99 and SB4 GXMs, to which G15 did not bind. Nucleic acid sequence analysis revealed that G15 uses V(H)3-64 in the germ line configuration. G14 and G19 use V(H)6-1, which has somatic mutations. All of the MAbs use V kappa DPK22/A27. Studies of MAb efficacy in BALB/c mice showed that administration of 0.1 mg, but not 1 or 0.01 mg, of G15 prolonged survival against lethal C. neoformans strain 24067 challenge, whereas G14 and G19 were not protective at any dose. This panel of MAbs illustrates that serotype D GXM has epitopes that elicit human antibodies that can be either protective or nonprotective. Our findings suggest that V(H) gene use may influence GXM specificity and efficacy, and they provide insights into the possible contribution that V(H) gene use may have in resistance and susceptibility to cryptococcosis.     

Protective efficacy of major outer membrane protein-specific immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG monoclonal antibodies in a murine model of Chlamydia trachomatis genital tract infection.

The protective efficacy of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for the major outer membrane protein of Chlamydia trachomatis MoPn was evaluated in a murine genital tract infection model. MAbs were delivered into serum and vaginal secretions of naive mice by using the backpack hybridoma tumor system, and protective efficacy was assessed over the first 8 days following challenge by quantitative determination of chlamydial recovery from cervicovaginal swabs, histopathological evaluation of genital tract tissue, and immunohistochemical detection of chlamydial inclusions. IgA and IgG significantly reduced the incidence of infection following vaginal challenge with 5 50% infectious doses, but such protection was overwhelmed by 10- and 100-fold higher challenge doses. Both MAbs also consistently reduced vaginal shedding from infected animals with all three challenge doses compared with the negative control MAb, although the magnitude of this effect was marginal. Blinded pathological evaluation of genital tract tissues at 8 days postinfection showed a significant reduction in the severity of the inflammatory infiltrate in oviduct tissue of infected IgA- and IgG-treated animals. Immunohistochemical detection of chlamydial inclusions revealed a marked reduction in the chlamydial burden of the oviduct epithelium; this finding is consistent with the reduced pathological changes observed in this tissue. These studies indicate that the presence of IgA or IgG MAbs specific to major outer membrane proteins has a marginal effect in preventing chlamydial colonization and shedding from the genital tract but has a more pronounced effect on ascending chlamydial infection and accompanying upper genital tract pathology.     

Lipopolysaccharide heterogeneity in the atypical group of novel emerging Brucella species

Recently, novel Brucella strains with phenotypic characteristics that were atypical for strains belonging to the genus Brucella have been reported. Phenotypically many of these strains were initially misidentified as Ochrobactrum spp. Two novel species have been described so far for these strains, i.e., B. microti and B. inopinata, and other strains genetically related to B. inopinata may constitute other novel species as well. In this study, we analyzed the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) (smooth LPS [S-LPS] and rough LPS [R-LPS]) of these atypical strains using different methods and a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against several epitopes of the Brucella O-polysaccharide (O-PS) and R-LPS. Among the most striking results, Brucella sp. strain BO2, isolated from a patient with chronic destructive pneumonia, showed a completely distinct S-LPS profile in silver stain gels that looked more similar to that of enterobacterial S-LPS. This strain also failed to react with MAbs against Brucella O-PS epitopes and showed weak reactivity with anti-R-LPS MAbs. B. inopinata reference strain BO1 displayed an M-dominant S-LPS type with some heterogeneity relative to the classical M-dominant Brucella S-LPS type. Australian wild rodent strains belonging also to the B. inopinata group showed a classical A-dominant S-LPS but lacked the O-PS common (C) epitopes, as previously reported for B. suis biovar 2 strains. Interestingly, some strains also failed to react with anti-R-LPS MAbs, such as the B. microti reference strain and B. inopinata BO1, suggesting modifications in the core-lipid A moieties of these strains. These results have several implications for serological typing and serological diagnosis and underline the need for novel tools for detection and correct identification of such novel emerging Brucella spp.     

Development, characterization, and functional activity of a panel of specific monoclonal antibodies to inner core lipopolysaccharide epitopes in Neisseria meningitidis

A panel of six murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) recognizing inner core lipopolysaccharide (LPS) epitopes of Neisseria meningitidis was prepared and characterized in order to determine the diversity of inner core LPS glycoforms among disease and carrier isolates. Two of these MAbs, L2-16 (immunoglobulin G2b [IgG2b]) and LPT3-1 (IgG2a), together with a third, previously described MAb, L3B5 (IgG3), showed reactivity, either individually or in combination, with all except 3 of 143 disease and carriage isolates (125 of 126 strains from blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or skin biopsy samples and 15 of 17 from nasopharyngeal cultures). MAbs L3B5, L2-16, and LPT3-1 were further characterized in an indirect immunofluorescence assay. All three MAbs bound to the bacterial cell surface, findings that correlated strongly with whole-cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunodot blots. However, in contrast to our findings with L3B5, cell surface binding of L2-16 or LPT 3-1 did not correlate with functional activity as determined by bactericidal or infant rat passive protection assays against wild-type N. meningitidis strains. These findings are provocative with respect to the requirements for protective activity of antibodies and the development of inner core LPS vaccines against invasive meningococcal disease.     

Brucella melitensis cell envelope protein and lipopolysaccharide epitopes involved in humoral immune responses of naturally and experimentally infected sheep.

Cell envelope fraction (CEF) of Brucella melitensis B115 was used to investigate antibody responses of B. melitensis naturally and strain H38 experimentally infected sheep by immunoblotting, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (I-ELISA), and competitive ELISA (C-ELISA) with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). MAbs used were directed to outer membrane proteins with molecular masses of 10, 16.5, 19, 25 to 27, 31 to 34, 36 to 38, and 89 kDa; to the heat shock protein DnaK, to O-polysaccharide (O-PS) common (C) and M epitopes; and to rough lipopolysaccharide (R-LPS) epitopes. In immunoblotting, all infected sheep sera tested recognized a large number of protein bands, including the above-cited proteins and other proteins for which MAbs have not been defined. The antibody response pattern was different from one animal to another, even within the experimentally infected sheep which were infected under the same experimental conditions. A number of protein bands were recognized by the sheep sera prior to experimental infection and by other uninfected sheep sera. The antibody reactivity to these antigens and others might explain the nonspecific antibody reactivity of sera in I-ELISA with CEF. C-ELISA confirmed also the individual variability of the antibody responses of infected sheep to protein antigens. Antibody responses to O-PS C and M epitopes were detected in all experimentally infected sheep and in half of the naturally infected sheep, but these responses were also heterogeneous in relation to their intensities. Antibody responses to R-LPS epitopes detected by use of C-ELISA with the anti-R-LPS MAbs were low or negative in most of the infected animals. Despite antibody response heterogeneity for CEF antigens, immunoblot and C-ELISA results indicated that, among the CEF antigens, the O-PS epitopes (C and M epitopes) and epitopes of the major 25- to 27- and 31- to 34-kDa outer membrane proteins seem to be the most promising for detecting B. melitensis infection in sheep.     

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.     

Passive protection of suckling infant mice against F41-positive enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains by intravenous inoculation of the dams with monoclonal antibodies against F41.

Ten monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against five different epitope clusters of adhesion factor F41 (two MAbs per cluster) were tested for protection of infant mice against an oral challenge with F41-positive enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) B2C and B41M. Infant mice suckling dams intravenously inoculated with MAbs were orally challenged, and the survival rates were measured for 12 days after inoculation and challenge. Irrespective of their epitope specificity, all F41 MAbs given in a single dose of 4 mg per dam had a protective effect against both ETEC strains. In contrast, one K99 MAb of the same isotype and given in the same dose as the F41 MAbs did not protect infant mice at all. A reduction in the dose of F41 MAbs to 0.032 mg per dam resulted in a decrease in protection. Two different MAbs against the same epitope cluster were not necessarily equally protective. Combining MAbs two by two, whether the MAbs recognized the same epitope cluster or not, resulted in protective activity essentially similar to that obtained with each MAb separately, without any improvement. Therefore, one MAb against any epitope may be sufficient for protection. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) titers of MAbs in the serum of dams were similar, irrespective of the epitope specificity of the MAbs, and gradually decreased from day 1 to day 12 after inoculation. We found a good correlation between colostrum and milk ELISA titers of MAbs and serum ELISA titers of MAbs. Colostrum and milk MAb titers were 10-fold lower than corresponding serum MAb titers and stayed high until day 5 after inoculation. The most protective MAb had the highest ELISA titers in colostrum and milk for the first 5 days after inoculation. ETEC strain B2C colonized the intestines of infant mice suckling MAb-inoculated mothers until day 12 after challenge. Intestinal levels of the challenge strain were high on day 2 but never reached the very high numbers (10(9) to 10(10)) described previously in a diarrheic infant mouse model. MAbs did not eliminate the challenge ETEC strain from the intestines of infant mice.     

Roles of CD4+ T Cells and Gamma Interferon in Protective Immunity against Babesia microti Infection in Mice

Babesia microti produces a self-limiting infection in mice, and recovered mice are resistant to reinfection. In the present study, the role of T cells in protective immunity against challenge infection was examined. BALB/c mice which recovered from primary infection showed strong protective immunity against challenge infection. In contrast, nude mice which failed to control the primary infection and were cured with an antibabesial drug did not show protection against challenge infection. Treatment of immune mice with anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody (MAb) diminished the protective immunity against challenge infection, but treatment with anti-CD8 MAb had no effect on the protection. Transfer of CD4(+) T-cell-depleted spleen cells resulted in higher parasitemia than transfer of CD8(+) T-cell-depleted spleen cells. A high level of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), which was produced by CD4(+) T cells, was observed for the culture supernatant of spleen cells from immune mice, and treatment of immune mice with anti-IFN-gamma MAb partially reduced the protection. Moreover, no protection against challenge infection was found in IFN-gamma-deficient mice. On the other hand, treatment of immune mice with MAbs against interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, or tumor necrosis factor alpha did not affect protective immunity. These results suggest essential requirements for CD4(+) T cells and IFN-gamma in protective immunity against challenge infection with B. microti.     

Monoclonal IgM antibodies from cytomegalovirus-infected mice recognize the GlcNAc-containing receptor determinant of murine CMV as well as neutralizing anti-CMV IgG antibodies.

This study examines monoclonal antibodies derived from mice at different time points after infection with attenuated murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV). The antibodies obtained from mice at 3 weeks p.i. were of IgG type (designated V-antibodies) and several could neutralize the virus. Those obtained at 5 weeks p.i. were of the IgM class (designated R-antibodies), bound to uninfected (MEF, mouse embryo fibroblast) cells, and thereby blocked MCMV plaque formation. In ELISA, the IgM monoclonals (R-antibodies) bound to GalB1-3GlcNAc and GalB1-4GlcNAc, the receptor determinants for MCMV. Similarly, these GlcNAc-containing residues blocked the binding of purified IgM monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to MEF. The R- and V-series of antibodies showed mutual binding activities; for example, IgM MAb R-2D8 bound specifically to four (V-8C4, V-1C7, V-8C7, V-9C5) of six neutralizing IgG MAbs in ELISA. The same neutralizing IgG MAbs bound to antireceptor IgM antibodies in an immunoblot assay. This suggests that the IgM monoclonals directed against the known cell surface receptor determinant are anti-idiotypic antibodies against neutralizing antiviral IgG antibodies. The neutralizing antiviral IgG MAbs bound to 60- and 66-kDa MCMV polypeptides on Western blots, suggesting that these viral polypeptides may be important in MCMV binding to this receptor. The R-series might represent anti-idiotype antibodies capable of down-regulating antiviral V-antibodies and may also represent a mechanism for the induction of IgM autoantibodies directed at cell surface glycolipids present in autoimmune CMV-associated neuropathies.