Conservation of a protective surface antigen of Tritrichomonas foetus.

Bovine trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the flagellated protozoan Tritrichomonas foetus. A protective surface antigen was previously identified and immunoaffinity purified from T. foetus isolate D1 with cross-reactive monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) TF1.15 and TF1.17 (BonDurant, R. H., R. R. Corbeil, and L. B. Corbeil, Infect. Immun. 61:1385-1394, 1993). This antigen elicited antibody responses in the serum and cervicovaginal mucus of heifers. Thus, it may be useful as an immunodiagnostic reagent as well as a subunit vaccine. Conservation of the antigen in all strains would be crucial for either application. We investigated the conservation of this antigen among 36 isolates of T. foetus from Argentina, Costa Rica, and the United States using MAbs TF1.15 and TF1.17 in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. MAb TF1.17 reacted with 32 of the 36 isolates, whereas MAb TF1.15 reacted with all of the isolates tested. One of the isolates which did not react with MAb TF1.17 (i.e., D1#3) was investigated further by Western blotting (immunoblotting) to determine the reason for the lack of reactivity with one of the two cross-reactive MAbs. The antigenic band that was reactive with MAb TF1.15 had a molecular mass slightly lower than that of the corresponding band from isolate D1, which reacted with both MAbs TF1.15 and TF1.17. Thus, at least a major portion of the antigen appeared to be conserved. This was confirmed in a study of heifers infected with isolate D1#3. The vaginal immunoglobulin A antibodies of these infected heifers reacted with the antigen of isolate D1 that was immunoaffinity purified with MAb TF1.17. Therefore, even though the epitope recognized by MAb TF1.17 was missing in the challenge isolate (D1#3), the heifers developed an immune response to the rest of the molecule. These results indicate that the major portion of the previously described protective antigen is conserved in different isolates of T. foetus. This portion contains the epitope that reacts with MAb TF1.15. Most isolates express the whole antigen, which possesses both TFl.15 and TF1.17 epitopes, but the few isolates that are missing the portion containing the TF1.17 epitope may still elicit an immune reponse to the conserved portion. Thus, the protective surface antigen is promising for use in immunodiagnosis or vaccination against bovine trichomoniasis.     

Immunization of virgin cows with surface antigen TF1.17 of Tritrichomonas foetus.

Protection by surface antigen TF1.17 of Tritrichomonas foetus was investigated because it reacted with a monoclonal antibody which immobilized and mediated complement killing of the organism and prevented adherence to vaginal epithelial cells. This monoclonal antibody was used to demonstrate conservation of the antigen in most strains and to immunoaffinity purify the 50- to 70-kDa glycoprotein antigen. In preparation for immunization studies, the appropriate challenge dose of parasites was determined by intravaginal inoculation of 23 virgin cows (heifers) with 10(2), 10(4), or 10(6) live organisms at the time of estrus. More animals became infected and vaginal infection was maintained at a higher rate (P < 0.005) over 10 weeks for the group that received 10(6) organisms than in the other two groups. Therefore, this dose was used for challenge of immunized animals. Animals immunized with immunoaffinity-purified TF1.17 antigen in incomplete Freund's adjuvant or incomplete Freund's adjuvant plus dextran sulfate cleared the infection more quickly than adjuvant controls (P < 0.005). Isotype-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with T. foetus antigen showed that serum immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgG2 antibody responses as well as cervicovaginal mucus IgG1 and IgA antibodies peaked at about the time of clearance of infection in vaccinated animals. Controls developed later cervicovaginal mucus IgA antibody responses as would be expected in a primary local immune response to infection. These results indicate that vaccination with this immunoaffinity-purified surface antigen of T. foetus enhances antibody responses as well as clearance of the parasite from the female reproductive tract.     

Specific and common antigens of Trichomonas vaginalis detected by monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies to Trichomonas vaginalis were prepared by immunizing mice with a cloned isolate of T. vaginalis. Eight antibodies reacted with the same four isolates or strains but did not react with the other T. vaginalis strains or isolates tested. All eight antibodies reacted uniformly with both the body and flagella of T. vaginalis in the immunofluorescence assay but were unreactive by immunoblotting. The antigen(s) recognized by these antibodies was determined to be present on the surface membrane by indirect immunofluorescence assay of live organisms. The antigen(s) was found to be sensitive to periodate oxidation but resistant to pronase digestion. In addition, one monoclonal antibody was derived which reacted with all T. vaginalis isolates or strains tested, as well as with Trichomonas gallinae, Tritrichomonas foetus, and Giardia lamblia. This antibody reacted with the body but not the flagella of Formalin-fixed protozoa in the immunofluorescence assay but failed to react with live organisms. The antigen was found to be periodate resistant but pronase labile. In the immunoblot assay, this antibody detected a single T. vaginalis polypeptide with a molecular weight of 62,000.     

Bovine vaginal antibody responses to immunoaffinity-purified surface antigen of Tritrichomonas foetus.

Bovine trichomoniasis is a prevalent sexually transmitted disease of cattle caused by the protozoan Tritrichomonas foetus. Currently, diagnosis is most often made by culture. In order to provide a faster immunodiagnostic approach, a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was investigated. A protective surface antigen (TF1.17 antigen) of T. foetus was immunoaffinity purified and used in an ELISA to detect antibodies in vaginal mucus from heifers inoculated with T. foetus. In preliminary studies, antibodies of the immunoglobulin A (IgA) isotype were detected in mucus from all experimentally infected heifers which were tested at 6 weeks postinoculation, whereas IgG1 and IgG2 were not. In addition, IgA responses detected in postinoculation samples were all greater than those detected in preinoculation samples, unlike those detected by a whole-cell antigen ELISA. For these two reasons, IgA antibodies appeared to be useful diagnostically. Further investigation of IgA antibodies used vaginal mucus collected weekly from heifers inoculated intravaginally with 10(2), 10(4), or 10(6) T. foetus organisms. Heifers with positive cultures for T. foetus had similar IgA responses to TF1.17 antigen over the 10 weeks of infection regardless of the initial inoculum dose. This indicates that if the dose is sufficient to establish infection, the magnitude and duration of the immune response are no longer dependent on dose. All of the infected animals receiving all dosages responded with high absorbance values in the IgA anti-TF1.17 antigen ELISA by 6 weeks postinoculation, and all absorbance values remained high at 10 weeks. To determine the duration of the IgA response, four other heifers inoculated with 7 x 10(6) T. foetus organisms were studied through 24 weeks postinoculation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Female Reproductive Tract Immunity in Bovine Trichomoniasis

PROBLEM: Mechanisms of protective immunity in the female reproductive tract are poorly understood. For sexually transmitted diseases, bovine trichomoniasis is a useful model because il resembles human trichomoniasis to some extent, and antibodies play an important role in protection against these extracellular parasites. Protective efficacy was compared in animals with genital responses of predominantly immunoglobulin G (IgG) or predominantly IgA antibodies to a purified surface antigen of Tritrichomonas foetus. METHOD OF STUDY: Immunization of mice by various routes with immunoaffinity-purified T. foetus surface antigen (TF1.17) or killed cells was used to define the best routes and antigen combinations to give predominantly IgG or IgA antibodies to TF1.17 antigens in genital secretions. Cattle were then immunized either subcutaneously (SC) two times with TF1.17 antigen and once SC with killed T. foetus or twice SC with TF1.17 antigen and once intravaginally with killed T. foetus. All immunizations were in Quil A adjuvant. Controls were not immunized. Animals were challenged intravaginally with 10⁶ T. foetus 3 weeks after the third immunization. Vaginal mucus was collected weekly for culture and antibody assays. Serum was collected weekly, and uterine secretions were collected at 10 weeks post-challenge. Tissues were fixed at 10 weeks also. RESULTS: Murine studies showed systemic priming with vaginal boosting gave the highest genital IgA responses. In cattle, systemic immunization (group S) induced high IgG1 antibody levels in vaginal secretions. Systemic priming with vaginal boosting (group S/V) primed for an anamnestic vaginal IgA response after challenge with T. foetus. Cattle with predominantly IgG or predominantly IgA responses in vaginal secretions either did not become infected or cleared infection faster than controls. Uterine IgA responses at 10 weeks were highest in the vaginally boosted group, but other responses were not different from the controls at this time point. Microscopic examination of genital tissues showed subepithelial infiltration of mononuclear cells in all groups. Lymphoid aggregates or nodules were detected in vaginal sections in cattle of groups S/V and C as well as in uterine sections of all animals in all three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both IgG and IgA antibodies to T. foetus superficial antigen were associated with protection. The timing of the response was related to the time of clearance. Lymphoid organization in the vagina and uterine tissues suggested development of mucosal inductive sites.     

Human T cell proteins recognized by rabbit heteroantisera and monoclonal antibodies

Many structural and functional features of the cell surface antigens of human T cells remain to be characterized. In these investigations, heteroantisera have been used to identify potentially interesting antigens not yet recognized by individual monoclonal antibody preparations. These antigens include patterns of bands (Mr 140-240K) on various T cells and T cell lines, at least six other bands on T cell lines and novel antigens on CTL lines. The majority of these antigens are different from the compiled list of antigens recognized by monoclonal antibodies against T cell proteins. The monoclonal OKT9 recognizes an antigen most prevalent on dividing cells, and this antigen is the same as that recognized by another monoclonal antibody, 5E9, and by previously described heteroantisera. The monoclonal antibody 4F2 has a distribution similar to OKT9, but it is structurally distinct, and is also present on monocytes. Three T cell surface proteins, two defined by the monoclonal antibodies OKT6 and OKT10, recognize proteins which resemble HLA antigens physiochemically. OKT6 and NAI/34 both recognize a 49,000 glycoprotein which is associated with a 12,000 subunit which reacts with anti-beta 2-microglobulin antibodies. OKT10 recognizes a 46,000 protein, also found with a 12,000 peptide, while the third protein, a beta 2-microglobulin-associated glycoprotein of 43,000 is not yet defined by a monoclonal Ab. Other monoclonals described here include 3A1 and PVR-11, which are on subsets of peripheral T cell, and B1-192 and B1-499 which are on some activated T cells.     

Amastigote stage-specific monoclonal antibodies against Leishmania major.

Monoclonal antibodies were produced against gamma-irradiated amastigotes of Leishmania major. Five antibodies (T16 through T20) were selected which reacted in enzyme-linked immunoassays with the intracellular stage of the parasite. These antibodies did not react with promastigotes of L. major or Leishmania donovani. One of the monoclonal antibodies (T16) reacted with amastigotes of Leishmania mexicana amazonensis and L. donovani. Western blotting (immunoblotting) and immunoprecipitation of [35S]methionine-labeled amastigotes demonstrates that T16 reacted with multiple L. major amastigote components between 12 and 180 kilodaltons. Antibody T20 was shown to recognize a low-molecular-mass doublet (less than 26 kilodaltons) in both [14C]leucine- and [35S]methionine-labeled amastigotes. A protein of less than 180 kilodaltons was also weakly recognized by T17, T19, and T20 in metabolically labeled amastigotes. This protein reacted strongly with T16. The reactive antigens could be identified on the surface of amastigotes isolated from the lesions of infected mice and on newly transformed amastigotes within 24 h after the infection of mouse peritoneal macrophages by promastigotes. These monoclonal antibodies should prove useful for the diagnosis of L. major in human tissue biopsies.     

Monoclonal antibodies against Trichomonas vaginalis

Spleen lymphocytes obtained from mice immunized with Trichomonas vaginalis ATCC 30001 were fused with P3-X63-Ag8-653 mouse myeloma in order to produce hybridoma-secreting antibodies against T. vaginalis associated antigens. Six hybridoma cloned cell lines were established; three produced IgG1, two produced IgG2a, and one produced IgM monoclonal antibody. These six monoclonal antibodies showed binding to seven isolated strains of T. vaginalis but did not bind to Giardia lamblia. Three of those monoclonal antibodies did not bind to Tritrichomonas foetus. These anti-trichomonal monoclonal antibodies should prove to be of great value as diagnostic and research reagents.     

Specific immunofluorescent staining of pathogenic treponemes with a monoclonal antibody.

Two hybrid cell lines which produced mouse monoclonal antibody to the DAL-1 street strain of Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum were established. These monoclonal antibodies strongly reacted with T. pallidum subsp. pallidum (Nichols strain, DAL-1, and two other street strains, strains MN-1 and MN-3) and T. pallidum subsp. pertenue by indirect microimmunofluorescent antibody and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques, but they did not react with normal rabbit testicular tissue. These monoclonal antibodies did not react with nonpathogenic treponemes, such as T. phagedenis Reiter, T. denticola MRB, T. refringens Noguchi, or other spirochetes, such as Borrelia burgdorferi and Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona in microimmunofluorescent antibody smear slides or in Western blots (immunoblots). While unlabeled antibodies are useful for investigating the antigenic structures of T. pallidum, we labeled these monoclonal antibodies with fluorescein isothiocyanate and used them for diagnosing syphilis by direct staining of lesion exudate or T. pallidum subsp. pallidum in formalin-fixed tissues from patients suspected of having syphilis. Both monoclonal antibodies were directed against antigens of T. pallidum subsp. pallidum with a molecular weight of 37,000 as determined by the Western blotting technique.     

Chemical cross-linking of Chlamydia trachomatis.

Purified elementary bodies (EBs) of Chlamydia trachomatis serovar L2 were analyzed by chemical cross-linking with disuccinimidyl selenodipropionate. The effect of the cross-linking was analyzed by immunoblotting sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis-separated components which were reacted with monoclonal antibodies against major outer membrane protein (MOMP) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). It was shown that in EBs, MOMP was cross-linked to the LPS component of the outer membrane. Migration analysis of the cross-linked components showed that with extensive cross-linking, most of the MOMP became cross-linked to LPS, changing the migration rate from 40 to 42.5 kilodaltons. A small fraction of MOMP associated with LPS was shown to be present in bands with migration rates of 100 and 110 kilodaltons. No association of MOMP or LPS to other proteins, or to dimer or multimer forms of MOMP without LPS, was observed. A totally different membrane structure must be present in reticulate bodies, since there, MOMP was so heavily cross-linked that it did not enter the polyacrylamide gel and thus became impossible to analyze. Furthermore, the monoclonal antibody, which reacted with LPS associated with MOMP in the cross-linked EBs, did not react with reticulate bodies.     

Production and immunoanalytical application of 32 monoclonal antibodies against metacestode somatic antigens of Echinococcus multilocularis

Alveolar echinococcosis is a rare but potentially fatal disease. Immunodiagnosis based on antibodies or antigens plays an important role in its diagnosis. In this study, metacestode somatic antigens of Echinococcus multilocularis were used to immunize BALB/c mice, and hybridomas were formed by cell fusion. Making use of the inherent effect of monoclonal antibody techniques to isolate different epitopes, we obtained a repertoire of 32 monoclonal antibodies against the metacestode somatic antigens. These monoclonal antibodies were used to investigate the specificity and localization of the metacestode antigens by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Nine antibodies specifically reacted with E. multilocularis, while 14 and ten cross-reacted with Echinococcus granulosus and Taenia saginata, respectively. Twenty-five antibodies stained the laminated layer. Eight reacted with the tegument of the protoscolex. Fourteen antibodies recognized the germinal layer. Most of the monoclonal antibodies can react with the antigen Em2. One antibody can react with antigen Em2 and Em10. One antibody that cross-reacted with T. saginata stained the germinal layer and protoscolex, especially its hooklets and suckers, but could not react with Em2 and Em10 antigens. It detected protein bands at 26 and 52 kDa. Two E. multilocularis-specific monoclonal antibodies stained both the germinal and laminated layers and could be used not only to purify specific antigens but also for immunohistochemical studies of E. multilocularis. In summary, these 32 monoclonal antibodies could have potential applications as useful tools in further studies of E. multilocularis antigen profiles.     

The Fertilization Antigen (FA-1): Applications in Immunocontraception and Infertility in Humans

ABSTRACT: GB24 is a mouse monoclonal antibody (IgG1) raised against human term placental microvilli. This antibody displayed pan-trophoblast reactivity pattern. In addition, GB24 recognized normal peripheral leukocytes and transformed cell lines (Daudi, HL-60, Jurkat, AV₃, BeWo, HT-29) by using membrane immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. By SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, this antibody immunoprecipitated two proteins of 62 kilodaltons (kDa) and 75 kDa from placental microvilli. Isoelectrofocusing analysis revealed that these two bands exhibited different isoelectric points: 4.7 for the 62 kDa protein, 4.6 and 4.4 for the two spots corresponding to the 75 kDa protein. Microvilli from different placentae revealed substantial differences regarding the intensity of the labeling of these two bands, suggesting that the antigens recognized by GB24 are probably allotypic.     

Reactivity of mast-cell-bound IgE idiotypes with anti-idiotypic antibody: mediator release or inhibition of antigen-induced mediator release?

When anti-idiotypic antibodies specific for idiotopes on IgE antibodies react with mast-cell-bound IgE antibody, the reaction may be expected to lead either to mediator release or to inhibition of allergen-induced release. This study was carried out to determine which would occur. Anti-idiotype antiserum (anti-Ids) was raised in syngeneic mice by immunisation with affinity-purified DNP-specific mouse monoclonal IgE. Sera from these immunised mice and from a similarly immunised rabbit inhibited the binding of the monoclonal IgE to radio-iodinated dinitrophenylated (DNP) ovalbumin, whereas a high concentration of affinity-purified rabbit antimouse epsilon-chain-specific antibody was unable to inhibit even though it was shown to bind to the monoclonal IgE. The mouse anti-Ids did not give a positive passive cutaneous anaphylactic reaction in rats sensitised with high-titre grass-pollen-specific IgE-containing antiserum, whereas it gave a positive result in rats sensitised with the DNP-specific monoclonal IgE. Rabbit antimonoclonal antiserum and rabbit anti-epsilon-chain antibody both gave positive results in these two assays. The results indicated that anti-idiotypic antibodies specific for idiotopes on IgE antibody can react and release mediators from IgE-sensitised mast cells. The significance of this in view of the increased levels of anti-idiotypes that can occur during immunotherapy is discussed.     

Monoclonal antibody JC1: new reagent for studying cell proliferation.

AIM: To characterise a newly developed mouse monoclonal antibody JC1 which recognises a nuclear antigen present in proliferating cells in normal tissues and neoplastic lesions, and which is absent in resting cells. METHODS: The methodology was established using a representative range of frozen sections from normal tissues and from certain tumours which were immunostained with antibodies Ki67 and JC1. The molecular weight of the antigen recognised by JC1 was obtained by western blot analysis and this was compared with that of Ki67. IM-9 cell lysates containing Ki67 derived plasmids were also tested with JC1 antibody. RESULTS: Biochemical investigation indicated that the antigen recognised by JC1 gives two molecular weight bands of 212 and 123 kilodaltons, which is distinct from the well characterised anti-proliferation monoclonal antibody Ki67 (395-345 kilodaltons). In addition recombinant Ki67 protein is not recognised by JC1. Immunohistological reactivity was seen in areas known to contain numerous proliferating cells such as lymphoid germinal centres, splenic white matter, cortical thymocytes and undifferentiated spermatogonia. In tumours many cells from adenocarcinomas, oat cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas of lung, and seminomas were labelled by JC1 with a distribution and proportion similar to that seen with Ki67. In normal tissues the only apparent difference was in testis where JC1 stained a considerably greater number of cells than Ki67. In all cases studied the new antibody showed nuclear reactivity only. JC1 did not show any cytoplasmic crossreactivity with squamous cells as is frequently seen with Ki67. CONCLUSION: Antibody JC1, which recognises a nuclear antigen present in proliferating cells, should provide a useful adjunct to Ki67 as a marker of proliferation especially in those cases such as squamous cell carcinomas where a Ki67 index cannot be determined.     

Production of monoclonal antibodies reactive with a denatured form of the Friend murine leukemia virus gp70 envelope protein: use in a focal infectivity assay, immunohistochemical studies, electron microscopy and western blotting.

Four monoclonal antibodies were selected for their ability to recognize the envelope protein of Friend murine leukemia virus (F-MuLV) in methanol-fixed tissue culture cells. Each of these monoclonal antibodies was found to react only with F-MuLV. By using recombinant retroviruses, it was determined that each of the monoclonal antibodies recognized the C-terminal one-third of the F-MuLV gp70 envelope protein. The monoclonal antibodies were effective in radioimmunoprecipitation of F-MuLV proteins, and one of the antibodies, 720, was also effective in Western blotting. The ability of antibody 720 to react with F-MuLV in methanol-fixed cells facilitated the use of a sensitive immunoperoxidase method with a focal virus infectivity assay. In immunohistochemical studies using light microscopy, antibody 720 could specifically label F-MuLV-infected cells in acetone-fixed tissue sections from F-MuLV-infected animals. Finally, in immuno-gold labelling studies using electron microscopy, antibody 720 could be used to distinguish F-MuLV from amphotropic MuLV.     

Immunochemical identification and preliminary characterization of a nonfimbrial hemagglutinating adhesin of Bacteroides gingivalis.

A cell-bound hemagglutinating adhesin (HA-Ag2) of Bacteroides gingivalis was identified by crossed immunoaffinity electrophoresis as one of the common antigens of the species. A polyclonal antiserum with a restricted specificity for HA-Ag2 was produced by immunizing with the relevant immunoprecipitate excised from crossed-immunoelectrophoresis gels. The immunoglobulin G fraction of this monospecific antiserum inhibited hemagglutination. The antiserum was used against a cell surface extract of B. gingivalis in immunoblotting experiments, and we detected two antigens with apparent molecular masses of 33 and 38 kilodaltons in B. gingivalis ATCC 33277 and W83. Monoclonal antibody, C1.17, produced in another laboratory against B. gingivalis 381 and characterized as showing reactivity with a hemagglutinin of this strain (Y. Naito, K. Okuda, T. Kato, and I. Takazoe, Infect. Immun. 50:231-235, 1985), was also used to produce immunoblots of extracts of strains ATCC 33277 and W83. The apparent molecular masses of the major polypeptides recognized by monoclonal C1.17 in the immunoblots were the same as those detected by the polyclonal monospecific antiserum, i.e., 33 and 38 kilodaltons. Significantly, none of the polypeptides identified in this study corresponded to the polypeptide appearing in the 41- to 43-kilodalton region and identified by Yoshimura and co-workers (F. Yoshimura, K. Takahashi, N. Yoshinobu, and T. Suzuki, J. Bacteriol. 160:949-957, 1984) as the fimbrial protein characteristic of the species. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay inhibition experiments with the monospecific antiserum indicated that the cell surface extracts from strains ATCC 33277 and W83 were strong inhibitors, whereas the fimbria-enriched preparations from both strains failed to inhibit binding of antibodies to the cell surface antigens. As a whole, our study indicates that a nonfimbrial surface protein complex demonstrating erythrocyte-binding capacity, HA-Ag2, is common to three strains of B. gingivalis and is composed of at least two associated polypeptides with apparent molecular masses of 33 and 38 kilodaltons which share at least one antigenic determinant.     

Characterization of microneme antigens of Cryptosporidium parvum (Protozoa, Apicomplexa).

Two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) raised against purified excysted oocysts and sporozoites of cryptosporidium parvum reacted in an immunofluorescence assay with antigens located at the anterior pole of the zoites. On Western blots of purified oocysts, these MAbs reacted with a series of bands between 210 and 40 kDa; several of these bands were recognized by both MAbs; others were specific. One MAb (TOU) did not react after periodic acid treatment and was therefore considered to recognize a carbohydrate epitope; as determined by immunoelectron microscopy, this MAb reacted on micronemes of sporozoites and merozoites and also with the peripheral cytoplasm and the parasitophorous vacuole of trophozoites and macrogametes. The other MAb (HAD) reacted with an epitope that was insensitive to periodate treatment but did not react in the immunoelectron microscopy assay. However, the similar labeling pattern obtained with the immunofluorescence assay with both MAbs and the fact that the two antibodies share common bands on Western immunoblots suggest that both MAbs react with molecules located in Cryptosporidium micronemes, one reacting with a glycannic epitope and the other reacting with a peptidic epitope.     

Analysis of lettuce necrotic yellows virus structural proteins with monoclonal antibodies and concanavalin A

Three major structural proteins of lettuce necrotic yellow virus (LNYV) were identified by discontinuous polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) to have Mr approximately 78,000 (G), 57,000 (N), and 19,000 (M). Unreduced G and M proteins had faster mobilities in PAGE indicating the presence of disulfide bonds. The G protein was shown to be glycosylated with a complex network of oligosaccharides containing beta-N-acetylchitobiose N-linked to asparagine residues of the protein. Up to 17 additional minor bands were also detected in silver-stained electrophoretograms. In Western immunoblots, 9 of these (Mr approximately 27,000-220,000) were recognized by a monoclonal antibody to the N protein and another 6 (Mr approximately 58,000-180,000) with a monoclonal antibody to the G protein, indicating that they were degradation products or aggregates of these two viral proteins. Two minor silver-stained bands failed to react with either of the monoclonal antibodies, but were recognized by polyclonal anti-LNYV serum and are probably the L (Mr approximately 190,000) and NS (Mr approximately 38,000) viral proteins.     

The induction and characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific to GP of Ebola virus

The Ebola virus is highly infectious and characterized by hemorrhagic fever, headache, and so on with a high mortality rate. Currently, there are neither therapeutic drugs or vaccines against the Ebola virus nor fast diagnostic methods for the detection of Ebola virus infection. This study reported the induction and isolation of two monoclonal antibodies that specifically recognized the glycoprotein (GP) and secreted glycoprotein (sGP) of the Ebola virus. Plasmids encoding either GP or sGP were constructed and immunized BALB/c mice, accordingly purified sGP was boosted. The antisera were analyzed for binding activity against sGP protein in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and neutralization activity in a pseudotyped virus neutralization assay. A number of reactive clones were isolated and two monoclonal antibodies T231 and T242 were identified to react with both GP and sGP. Western blot and ELISA assays showed that the monoclonal antibodies could react with GP and sGP, respectively. Moreover, they could recognize Ebola pseudovirus by cellular immunochemistry assay. We labeled the monoclonal antibody T231 with biotin and analyzed the competitiveness of the two antibodies by the ELISA test. The results showed that the binding epitopes of the two monoclonal antibodies to sGP were partially overlapped. In summary, two GP-specific mAbs were identified, which will be used to detect the Ebola virus or investigate GP.     

Assignment of gene coding human T-cell differentiation antigen,Tpl20, to chromosome 11

A pan T-cell antigen with a molecular weight of 120 kilodaltons (kd) is recognized by a monoclonal antibody, Tp120, produced in our laboratories. Two hybrid clones reactive with this Tp120 antibody were established from the fusion between concanavalin A-stimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes and hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase-deficient mouse T cell leukemia, BW5147. These two clones were also positive with two other antibodies, 12.1 and T12, both of which detect 120kd pan T-cell antigen. Karyotype analysis showed that one clone retained human chromosomes 6, 7pq^–, and 11, and the other maintained chromosomes 11 and 21. As soon as both of these clones lost the chromosome 11, the expression of Tp120 became negative. The presence of human chromosome 11 was confirmed by the isozyme analysis of lactate dehydrogenase-A. The results indicated that the presence of chromosome 11 was essential for expression of 120kd pan T-cell antigen.