Characterization of Immunodominant Linear B-Cell Epitopes on the Carboxy Terminus of the Rinderpest Virus Nucleocapsid Protein

The nucleocapsid (N) protein of rinderpest virus (RPV) is one of the most abundant and immunogenic viral proteins expressed during natural or experimental infection. To identify immunogenic epitopes on the N protein, different forms of RPV N protein, including the full-length protein (N_1-525), an amino-terminal construct (N_1-179), and a carboxy-terminal construct (N_414-496), were expressed in Escherichia coli as glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins. The antigenicity of each recombinant protein was evaluated by Western immunoblotting. All recombinants were recognized by hyperimmune RPV bovine antisera, indicating that immunoreactive epitopes may be present at both ends of the N protein. However, GST-N_414-496 was much more antigenic than GST-N_1-179 when tested with sera from vaccinated cattle, suggesting that an immunodominant or highly immunogenic epitope(s) may be located at the carboxy terminus of the N protein. Epitope mapping with overlapping peptides representing different regions of the carboxy terminus (amino acids 415 to 524) revealed three nonoverlapping antigenic sites in regions containing the residues ⁴⁴⁰VPQVRKETRASSR⁴⁵² (site 1), ⁴⁷⁹PEADTDPL⁴⁸⁶ (site 2), and ⁵²⁰DKDLL⁵²⁴ (site 3). Among these, antigenic site 2 showed the strongest reactivity with hyperimmune anti-RPV bovine sera in a peptide enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay but did not react with hyperimmune caprine sera raised against peste-des-petits-ruminants virus, which is antigenically closely related to RPV. Identification of an immunodominant linear antigenic site at the carboxy terminus of the N protein may provide an antigen basis for designing diagnostics specific for RPV.     

Antigen Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Specific Detection of Reston Ebola Virus Nucleoprotein

Antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is one of the most useful methods to detect Ebola virus rapidly. We previously developed an antigen capture ELISA using a monoclonal antibody (MAb), 3-3D, which reacted not only to the nucleoprotein (NP) of Zaire Ebola virus (EBO-Z) but also to the NPs of Sudan (EBO-S) and Reston Ebola (EBO-R) viruses. In this study, we developed antigen capture ELISAs using two novel MAbs, Res2-6C8 and Res2-1D8, specific to the NP of EBO-R. Res2-6C8 and Res2-1D8 recognized epitopes consisting of 4 and 8 amino acid residues, respectively, near the C-terminal region of the EBO-R NP. The antigen capture ELISAs using these two MAbs detected the EBO-R NP in the tissues from EBO-R-infected cynomolgus macaques. The antigen capture ELISAs using Res2-6C8 and Res2-1D8 are useful for the rapid detection of the NP in EBO-R-infected cynomolgus macaques.     

Structural, Molecular and Immunological Properties of Linear B-Cell Epitopes of Ro60KD Autoantigen

Antibodies to Ro60KD protein are found with high frequency in sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). Two major epitopes of the Ro60KD antigen, the TKYKQRNGWSHKDLLRSHLKP (169–190) and the ELYKEKALSVETEKLLKYLEAV (211–232), were synthesized and their antigenic and structural properties were studied. Using a large panel of SLE and pSS patients' sera, it was found that the anti-Ro60KD reactivity of both Ro60KD epitopes is rather limited (≈45%), although they retain their original disease specificity. The epitope p.169–190 possessed sequence similarity with the peptide RPDAEYWNSQKDLLEQKRGR, shared in the β-chain of different HLA-DR molecules, among them the HLA-DR3 (which is associated with anti-Ro/Sjögren's syndrome A (SSA) response in patients with SLE). The antigenicity of the HLA-DR3 RPDAEYWNSQKDLLEQKRGR peptide was found to be similar to the 169–190 homologous Ro60KD epitope, recognized mainly by SLE sera. Structural studies showed that the 211–232 Ro60KD epitope exhibits pronounced helical characteristics, while the 169–190 epitope and the HLA-DR3 homologous peptide possess a somewhat lower percentage of α-helix. A β-folded structure was identified in the latter two peptides. Although the diagnostic value of the reported Ro60KD epitopes seems to be rather limited, correlations with other ribonucleoprotein epitopes (La/Sjögren's syndrome B, Ro52KD) may prove complementary to each other and valuable in clinical use. The ordered structure of the HLA-DR3 homologous peptide, exposed to the autoantibody binding, may offer an initiative in further investigation of the role of the HLA haplotypes, associated with the anti-Ro/SSA response, in the autoimmune stimulus.     

Immunoreactivity to Putative B-Cell Epitopes of Hepatitis G Virus Polyprotein in Viremic and Nonviremic Subjects

The hepatitis G virus (HGV) polyprotein was scanned by computer-aided prediction of antigenicity to search for B-cell epitopes. Four polypeptide sequences, V37D (amino acids [aa] 1685 to 1721), V36S (aa 2102 to 2137), P37R (aa 2156 to 2192), and C40P (aa 2280 to 2319), were identified and synthesized for use in immunoassays. Antibodies to these peptides were searched for in a panel of 239 serum samples, which were also tested for anti-E2 antibodies and HGV RNA. Furthermore, the course of HGV markers was studied prospectively in four patients who had been transfused with HGV RNA-positive blood. There was a negative association between immunoreactivity to V37D and P37R and presence of HGV RNA (2 of 53 and 1 of 53, respectively; P < 0.05); none of the subjects with dual antibody positivity was HGV RNA positive. Anti-V37D and anti-P37R antibodies compared favorably with anti-E2 antibodies as markers of recovery from HGV infection. These results might be useful for the development of new, more sensitive diagnostic assays.     

Antigenic and Immunogenic Investigation of B-Cell Epitopes in the Nucleocapsid Protein of Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus

Attempts were made to identify and map epitopes on the nucleocapsid (N) protein of peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) (Nigeria75/1 strain) using seven monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and deletion mutants. At least four antigenic domains (A-I, A-II, C-I, and C-II) were identified using the MAbs. Domains A-I (MAb 33-4) and A-II (MAbs 38-4, P-3H12, and P-13A9) were determined to be located on the amino-terminal half (amino acids [aa] 1 to 262), and domains C-I (P-14C6) and C-II (P-9H10 and P-11A6) were within the carboxy-terminal region (aa 448 to 521). Nonreciprocal competition between A-II MAbs and MAbs to C-I and C-II domains was observed, indicating that they may be exposed on the surface of the N protein and spatially overlap each other. Blocking or competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay studies using PPRV serum antibodies revealed that epitopes on the domains A-II and C-II were immunodominant, whereas those on the domains A-I and C-I were not. The competition between MAb and rinderpest virus (RPV) serum antibodies raised against RPV strain LATC was found in two epitopes (P-3H12 and P-13A9) on the domain A-II, indicating that these epitopes may cause cross-reactivity between PPRV and RPV. Identification of immunodominant but PPRV-specific epitopes and domains will provide the foundation in designing an N-protein-based diagnostic immunoassay for PPRV.     

B-Cell Epitopes and Quantification of the ESAT-6 Protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

ESAT-6 is an important T-cell antigen recognized by protective T cells in animal models of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with overlapping peptides spanning the sequence of ESAT-6, monoclonal antibody HYB76-8 reacted with two peptides in the N-terminal region of the molecule. Assays with synthetic truncated peptides allowed a precise mapping of the epitope to the residues EQQWNFAGIEAAA at positions 3 to 15. Hydrophilicity plots revealed one hydrophilic area at the N terminus and two additional areas further along the polypeptide chain. Antipeptide antibodies were generated by immunization with synthetic 8-mer peptides corresponding to these two regions coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin. Prolonged immunization with a 23-mer peptide (positions 40 to 62) resulted in the formation of antibodies reacting with the peptide as well as native ESAT-6. A double-antibody ELISA was then developed with monoclonal antibody HYB76-8 as a capture antibody, antigen for testing in the second layer, and antipeptide antibody in the third layer. The assay was suitable for quantification of ESAT-6 in M. tuberculosis antigen preparations, showing no reactivity with M. bovis BCG Tokyo culture fluid, used as a negative control, or with MPT64 or antigen 85B, previously shown to cross-react with HYB76-8. This capture ELISA permitted the identification of ESAT-6 expression from vaccinia virus constructs containing the esat-6 gene; this expression could not be identified by standard immunoblotting.     

Antigenic Epitopes of the Hepatitis A Virus Polyprotein

Forty-two antigenic domains were identified across the hepatitis A virus (HAV) polyprotein by using a set of 237 overlapping 20-mer synthetic peptides spanning the entire HAV polyprotein and a panel of serum samples from acutely HAV-infected patients. The term "antigenic domain" is used in this study to define a protein region spanned with consecutive overlapping immunoreactive peptides. Nineteen antigenic domains were found within the structural proteins, and 22 were found within the nonstructural proteins, with 1 domain spanning the junction of VP1 and P2A proteins. Five of these domains were considered immunodominant, as judged by both the breadth and the strength of their immunoreactivity. One domain is located within the VP2 protein at position 57-90 aa. A second domain, located at position 767-842 aa, contains the C-terminal part of the VP1 protein and the entire P2A protein. A third domain, located at position 1403-1456 aa, comprises the C-terminal part of the P2C protein and the N-terminal half of the P3A protein. The fourth domain, located at position 1500-1519 aa, includes almost the entire P3B, and the last domain, located at position 1719-1764 aa, contains the C-terminal region of the P3C protein and the N-terminal region of the P3D protein. It is interesting to note that four of the five most immunoreactive domains are derived from small HAV proteins and/or encompass protein cleavage sites separating different HAV proteins. The HAV-specific immunoreactivity of each antigenically reactive peptide was confirmed by using seven HAV seroconversion panels. Collectively, these data demonstrate that HAV structural and nonstructural proteins contain antigenic epitopes that can be efficiently modeled with short synthetic peptides.     

Analysis of the Yersinia pestis V Protein for the Presence of Linear Antibody Epitopes

The V protein expressed by pathogenic Yersinia pestis is an important virulence factor and protective immunogen. The presence of linear B-cell epitopes in the V protein was investigated by using a series of 17 overlapping linear peptides. Groups of 10 mice were immunized intraperitoneally with 30 μg of each peptide on days 0, 30, and 60. Although the V protein-specific antibody response to the peptides varied, most of the peptides elicited high antibody titers. The immunized mice were challenged subcutaneously with 60 50% lethal doses (LD₅₀) (1 LD₅₀ = 1.9 CFU) of a virulent Y. pestis strain, CO92. None of the peptide-immunized mice survived challenge. The animals immunized with the V protein were completely protected against challenge. The immunogenicity of some of the V peptides was increased by conjugating them to keyhole limpet hemocyanin. Only one peptide (encompassing amino acids 1 to 30) conjugate demonstrated some protection; the others were not protective. In additional experiments, V peptides that reacted well with sera from mice surviving Y. pestis infection were combined and used to immunize mice. Although the combined peptides appeared to be very immunogenic, they were not protective. Therefore, the protective B-lymphocyte epitope(s) in the V protein is most likely to be conformational.     

Conformational Dependence of Anaplasma marginale Major Surface Protein 5 Surface-Exposed B-Cell Epitopes

The Anaplasma marginale outer membrane is composed of immunogenic major surface proteins (MSPs) linked both covalently and noncovalently in multimeric complexes (M. C. Vidotto, T. C. McGuire, T. F. McElwain, G. H. Palmer, and D. P. Knowles, Infect. Immun. 62:2940–2946). Consequently, effective induction of antibody against surface-exposed MSP epitopes has been postulated to require maintenance of MSP secondary through quatenary structures. Using MSP5 as a model and the approach of epitope mapping with recombinant expressed full-length and truncated proteins, we demonstrated that the immunodominant surface epitope bound by monoclonal antibody (MAb) ANAF16C1 required disparate amino- and carboxy-terminal regions of MSP5, indicating the conformational dependence of this epitope. The required amino-terminal MSP5 region included the cysteines involved in intramolecular disulfide bonding. The dependence of the immunodominant epitope on disulfide bonding was confirmed by loss of MAb ANAF16C1 binding to MSP5 following disulfide bond reduction and covalent modification of the reduced sulfhydryl groups. The recognition of the MSP5 immunodominant epitope by antibody induced by protective immunization with A. marginale outer membranes was also conformationally dependent, as shown by the loss of epitope binding following serum adsorption with native but not reduced and denatured A. marginale. Importantly, the antibody response to all immunodominant MSP5 surface epitopes was restricted to conformationally dependent epitopes, since the binding of polyclonal anti-MSP5 antibody to the A. marginale surface could be blocked by adsorption with native but not denatured and reduced MSP5. These results confirm the importance of the secondary and tertiary structures of MSP epitopes as immune system targets and support the testing of immunogens which maintain the required conformation.     

埃博拉疫苗研究进展

埃博拉病毒病是由埃博拉病毒引起的死亡率极高的烈性传染病。埃博拉疫情的大爆发促进了埃博拉疫苗的研制进程,多种在临床前阶段取得良好效果的埃博拉疫苗进入临床试验阶段,且已有两种疫苗在本国获批注册。本文对目前埃博拉疫苗的研究进展进行综述,旨在为疫苗研究者提供参考。     

Demonstrations of a B-Cell Population That Regulates the Immune Response in Spleens of Mice Infected with Herpes Simplex Virus Type I

A population of B cells that regulates the immune response was demonstrated in splenic mononuclear cells (SMNC) from mice infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV). SMNC, obtained from mice 3 days after HSV infection at a dose of 100 LD₅₀, exhibited a reduction in the proliferative response of naive SMNC stimulated with various lectins or allogeneic lymphocytes in a 5-day mixed lymphocyte reaction. Cocultivation of naive SMNC with phagocytic cell-free SMNC (Mφ^-MNC) from infected mice resulted in the inhibition of lymphocytic blast transformation stimulated with various lectins. These cells were characterized as nylon-wool adherent cells that were eliminated by treatment with anti-Ig antiserum, but not anti-Thy 1.2 monoclonal antibody or anti-asialo GM₁ antiserum, followed by complement treatment. In addition, the suppressor cell activity was not demonstrated in Mφ^-MNC obtained from HSV-infected CBA/CaHN-xid/J mice, which contain a congenital B-cell deficiency. These results suggest that, in addition to suppressor T cells, a population of B cells, which can inhibit lymphocyte proliferations upon stimulation with lectins and alloantigens, might be generated in spleens of mice following HSV infections.     

Heterogeneity of Degradation of B-Cell Endocytosed Monoclonal Antibodies Reacting with Different sIgM Epitopes

The degradation of a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) bound to surface IgM (sIgM) was studied in three human Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines. The panel included MoAb that recognize several distinct epitopes associated with the F(c mu)5 domain, the c mu 2 domain and kappa or lambda light chains. The amount of degraded MoAb and the rate of their degradation varied considerably between the various antibodies. Properties of MoAb such as avidity or ability to cross-link sIgM did not significantly influence their degradation. The most consistent correlation between rate of degradation and MoAb used was the location of the epitope recognized by the individual MoAb. Thus, 7 out of 8 anti-light chain MoAb were degraded at a higher rate than 5 out of 5 anti-F(c mu)5 MoAb. One anti-c mu 2 MoAb was degraded at a rate similar to the majority of anti-light chain MoAb. The intracellular transport of an anti-kappa light chain MoAb and an anti-F(c mu)5 MoAb was studied in detail by subcellular fractionation in sucrose gradients. We found that the anti-kappa light chain MoAb was transported more rapidly to lysosomes than the anti-F(c mu)5 MoAb, showing that they were sorted differently intracellularly.     

微小隐孢子虫SA35与SA40蛋白的B细胞抗原表位预测

目的预测微小隐孢子虫SA35和SA40蛋白的B细胞表位。方法以单参数（亲水性、可及性、柔韧性及抗原性）预测为基础,通过二级结构预测初步筛选,并以ABCpred方案作为最终验证,预测微小隐孢子虫SA35和SA40蛋白的B细胞表位。结果SA35蛋白N端103～115和129～146和以及SA40蛋白的N端77～89、127～136、156～174和200～209区段为预测的B细胞表位。结论所得表位为这两种蛋白以后应用于合成肽检测、制备相应的抗体、发展高特异性和敏感性的诊断系统以及研制疫苗等提供了理论基础。     

Mapping of B-Cell Epitopes in a Trypanosoma cruzi Immunodominant Antigen Expressed in Natural Infections

Tc40 is an immunodominant antigen present in natural Trypanosoma cruzi infections. This immunogen was thoroughly mapped by using overlapping amino acid sequences identified by gene cloning and chemical peptide synthesis. To map continuous epitopes of the Tc40 antigen, an epitope expression library was constructed and screened with sera from human chagasic patients. A major, linear B-cell epitope spanning residues 403 to 426 (PAKAAAPPAA) was identified in the central domain of Tc40. A synthetic peptide spanning this region reacted strongly with 89.8% of the serum samples from T. cruzi-infected individuals. This indicates that the main antigenic site is defined by the linear sequence of the peptide rather than a conformation-dependent structure. The major B-cell epitope of Tc40 shares a high degree of sequence identity with T. cruzi ribosomal and RNA binding proteins, suggesting the existence of cross-reactivity among these molecules.     

Recognition of B-Cell Epitopes of the 65 kDa HSP in Behçet's Disease

B-cell epitopes of the mycobacterial 65 kDa heat shock protein (HSP) were mapped in sera from patients with Behçet's Disease (BD). A series of 47 overlapping synthetic peptides (15^ers) derived from the sequence of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis 65 kDa HSP was used in ELISA. Significant increases in IgA and IgG antibody levels were observed with peptides 111–125, 154–172 and 311–326 in sera from BD, compared with those from controls. Homologous peptides derived from the sequence of the human mitochondrial 60 kDa HSP were then examined. Peptides 136–150 and 336–351 showed comparable results to the homologous mycobacterial peptides 111–125 and 311–326, respectively. The B-cell epitopes defined in this investigation overlap with the T-cell epitopes the authors have previously reported in BD. Inhibition studies are consistent with the view that antibodies to each of the three B-cell epitope peptides represent a small proportion of the total B-cell epitope repertoire elicited by the 65 or 60 kD HSP. Sequential antibody studies suggest that IgA and IgG antibody titres to one or all three peptides tested may increase during exacerbations of ocular disease. The functional role of these antibodies needs to be determined, but the peptides may be involved in the immunopathogenesis of BD as they can induce experimental uveitis in Lewis rats, which is a principal manifestation of BD.     

用单克隆抗体对我国登革2型04株病毒蛋白及其抗原表位的分析

从众多株抗登革2型单克隆抗体中挑选出登革2型病毒型特异、登革病毒亚群特异,黄病毒科特异3种代表类型的6株单抗,这6株单抗均无补结活性。放射免疫沉淀实验结果表明,这6株单抗均识别登革2型04株病毒的42K非结构性多肽。固相放射免疫竞争试验结果表明,3个型特异及1个亚群特异的抗原表位相互邻近,同在一个独立区内。这些抗原表位均不具有中和及血凝活性。而2个具有中和及血凝活性的黄病毒科特异性抗原表位,则位于另一个独立区内。上述2独立区拓扑距离较远。