一个能诱生戊型肝炎病毒中和抗体的ORF2编码蛋白短片段

目的：比较戊型肝炎病毒（HEV）第4基因型ORF2编码蛋白片段pN472-C617（aa472～617）和pN477-C613（aa477～613）的免疫原性，找到能诱生HEV中和抗体的ORF2编码蛋白的更短片段。方法：表达和纯化pN472-C617和pN477-C613，分别免疫BALB/c小鼠，以间接ELISA检测免疫血清的抗体效价，并以基于PCR的体外中和试验检测免疫血清的中和活性。结果：pN472-C617和pN477-C613可在大肠杆菌高效可溶性表达，纯化后的重组蛋白能在小鼠体内诱导出高效价的抗体。基于PCR的体外中和试验显示pN472-C617免疫血清可有效中和HEV，阻断其在敏感细胞表面的吸附和细胞内复制；而两端仅比pN472-C617各短5个氨基酸的pN477-C613的免疫血清不具有中和HEV的活性。结论：重组蛋白pN472-C617具有良好的抗原性和诱生中和抗体的能力，是目前文献报道中含有HEV中和抗原表位的最短ORF2编码蛋白片段，可作为重组亚单位候选疫苗用于HEV疫苗的开发。     

戊型肝炎病毒第Ⅳ基因型毒株中和抗原表位的鉴定

目的确定在我国新发现的戊型肝炎病毒（HEV）第Ⅳ基因型毒株的中和抗原表位特征及其与世界各地其他基因型HEV毒株中和抗原表位的异同。方法制备HEV第Ⅳ基因型ORF2重组衣壳蛋白p166Chn及其单克隆抗体（McAb），采用体外中和试验鉴定McAb的中和活性；通过间接ELISA和免疫印迹法测定中和性McAb与不同基因型HEVORF2编码蛋白p166的免疫反应性，并结合相加ELISA确定p166Chn中和抗原表位的分布和性质。结果获得6株稳定分泌抗-p166Chn McAb的杂交瘤细胞株。所得McAb能在体外中和HEV中国毒株（第Ⅳ基因型）对PLC/PRF／5细胞的感染性，并与来源于HEV4种不同基因型代表株的7种p166重组蛋白（p166Chn、p166Bur、p166Mor、p166Pak、p166Mex、p166Us和p166Nz）均能发生阳性反应。抗体间的相加ELISA结果为阴性。表明6株McAb识别p166上的同一个中和抗原表位。结论在我国新发现的HEV第Ⅳ基因型毒株与分布在世界各地的其他基因型毒株具有共同的中和抗原表位。     

Identification and characterization of the neutralization epitope(s) of the hepatitis E virus

The neutralization epitope(s) of the hepatitis E virus (HEV) was studied by an in vitro neutralization assay using antibodies obtained by immunization of mice with 51 overlapping 30-mer synthetic peptides spanning the region 221-660 amino acids (aa) of the HEV open reading frame 2 encoded protein (pORF2) and 31 overlapping recombinant proteins of different sizes derived from the entire pORF2 of the HEV Burma strain. Antibodies against synthetic peptides and short recombinant proteins of approximately 100 aa did not neutralize HEV, suggesting the HEV neutralization epitope(s) is conformation-dependent. However, one recombinant protein of approximately 400 aa in length comprising the pORF2 sequence at position 274-660 aa as well as all truncated derivatives of this protein containing region 452-617 aa elicited antibodies, demonstrating HEV neutralizing activity. These findings establish for the first time that the minimal size fragment, designated pB166, that can efficiently model the neutralization epitope(s) is 166 aa in length and is located at position 452-617 aa of the HEV pORF2. Additionally, antibodies against pB166 were found to cross-neutralize three different HEV genotypes, suggesting that a common neutralization epitope(s) may exist within the different HEV genotypes. Thus, recombinant proteins constructed in this study may be considered as potential candidates for the development of an HEV subunit vaccine as well as for the development of highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tests.     

GST与戊型肝炎病毒ORF2编码蛋白融合表达形成的新抗原表位的鉴定

目的:以戊型肝炎病毒(HEV)ORF2编码的重组蛋白p166为例,研究蛋白标签GST对融合表达的重组蛋白抗原结构的影响.方法:以HEV中国株重组蛋白p166Chn-GST为免疫原,制备单克隆抗体(mAb),与代表HEV 4个基因型的摩洛哥株、墨西哥株、美国株和中国株p166的GST或His融合蛋白、中国株非融合重组蛋白p179Chn以及GST融合的HEV无关蛋白进行ELISA检测,鉴定mAb所识别的抗原表位. 结果:获得3株稳定分泌抗p166Chn-GST的杂交瘤细胞株,分泌的mAb 1A8、9B4和8H10与p166Chn-GST反应,与GST不反应.其中1A8和9B4可与带GST标签的4种p166-GST蛋白以及N和C端截短的p146Chn-GST、p137Chn-GST反应,而不与4种p166-His蛋白反应,也不与p179Chn反应,与HEV病毒颗粒竞争试验阴性,与GST融合的HEV无关蛋白无交叉反应性,表明1A8和9B4识别的抗原表位不是HEV病毒颗粒表面天然存在的抗原表位,而是GST与HEV ORF2编码蛋白的465-601aa区段序列共同形成的新的抗原表位.结论:GST能够赋予基因工程重组蛋白以新的抗原特性,它与融合表达的重组蛋白可以共同形成新的抗原表位.     

戊型肝炎病毒新潜在中和性表位的发现

目的 探讨戊型肝炎病毒(HEV)衣壳蛋白是否存在除主要免疫优势中和表位aa459～606以外的其他中和表位.方法 通过对几株单克隆抗体及其表位的性质进行分析,对比位于主要免疫优势表位区aM59～606和位于该表位N端序列aa394～458区域的数个表位的中和活性.结果 发现位于aa423～437的表位对应的单抗具有潜在中和活性,不同于已知的HEV中和性表位(aa459～606),该表位是一个线性非免疫优势表位.结论 HEV ORF2 aa423～437为新的潜在的线性非免疫优势中和表位,该发现丰富了对HEV衣壳结构的认识,为HEV预防与治疗提供了新的针对靶点.     

不同基因型戊型肝炎病毒的抗原表位分析

目的 研究不同基因型戊型肝炎病毒(HEV)的抗原表位特点。方法 以HEV基因工程重组蛋白p166Bur、p166Mex为免疫原，制备单克隆抗体(McAbs)。采用间接ELISA法及免疫印迹法(Western blot)，检测所制备的McAbs与7种不同基因型和亚型p166(p166Bur、p166Pak、p166Mor、p166Mex、p166Us、p166Nz和p166Chn)的交叉反应性。结果 获得4株稳定分泌基因型相关MeAb的杂交瘤细胞株，即1B5、1D10,1G10和D4A3。经检测，1B5、1D10,1G10分泌的McAbs只与p166Bur及p166Mor特异结合，D4A3分泌的McAb只与p166Mex特异结合。结论 不同基因型HEV存在不同的抗原表位。     

Characterization of epitopes for neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to classical swine fever virus E2 and Erns using phage-displayed random peptide library

Summary. Infection of cells with classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is mediated by the interaction of envelope glycoproteins E2 and E^rns with receptor molecules on the cell surface. These proteins are also the major antigens for eliciting neutralizing antibodies and conferring protective immunity. Here we report the identification of multiple neutralizing epitopes on these proteins by screening a phage-displayed random peptide library with CSFV-specific neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. Two different E2-specific neutralizing mAbs (a18 and 24/10) were found to bind to a common motif SPTxL, which is similar to the sequence SPTTL of the E2 protein (aa 289–293), indicating that this is likely to be an immunodominant epitope. Similarly, an immunodominant epitope corresponding to the sequence DKN of E^rns (aa 117–119) was identified for two independent E^rns-specific neutralizing antibodies, b4-22 and 24/16, respectively. Another binding motif, CxNNxTC, was identified for mAb 24/16, but not for b4-22. Sequencing analysis of the genes coding for the light chain of these mAbs was conducted to ensure that all mAbs were derived from different hybridomas, rather than from different subclones of a common parent line. Inhibition studies using immunofluorescent antibody assay and virus neutralization test demonstrated that the mimotope peptides truly mimicked the antibody binding determinants on the viral proteins. The detailed mapping data for these neutralizing epitopes will be useful for development of improved diagnostic tests and perhaps a peptide-based vaccine for this important swine disease.     

Antibody responses against wild-type yellow fever virus and the 17D vaccine strain: characterization with human monoclonal antibody fragments and neutralization escape variants

Human monoclonal antibody fragments neutralizing wild-type and vaccine strains of yellow fever (YF) virus (genotypes West Africa I + II, East/Central Africa, 17D-204-WHO) were generated by repertoire cloning from YF patients. Analysis of virus escape variants identified amino acid (aa) 71 in domain II of the envelope glycoprotein (E) as the most critical residue for neutralization, with aa 153-155 in domain I contributing to the epitope. These data confirm the previous mapping of YFV neutralizing epitopes using mouse monoclonal antibodies but suggest that a conformational epitope could be formed by amino acids from domains I and II opposing each other in the dimeric form of the E protein. While the sera of the YF patients showed up to 10-fold reduced neutralizing activity against the 17D escape variants, sera from 17D vaccinees retained their neutralizing titers. Mutations in this major neutralizing epitope of YFV thus do not seem to carry the risk of immune escape in persons immunized with the YFV-17D vaccine.     

Neutralization of HIV-1 primary isolates by polyclonal and monoclonal human antibodies

To examine antibody-mediated neutralization of HIV-1 primary isolates in vitro, we tested sera and plasma from infected individuals against four clade B primary isolates. These isolates were analyzed further for neutralization by a panel of several human anti-HIV-1 mAb in order to identify the neutralizing epitopes of these viruses. Each of the HIV-1+ serum and plasma specimens tested had neutralizing activities against one or more of the four primary isolates. Of the three individual sera, one (FDA-2) neutralized all of the four isolates, while the other two sera were effective against only one virus. The pooled plasma and serum samples reacted broadly with these isolates. Based on the neutralizing activities of the mAb panel, each virus isolate exhibited a distinct pattern of reactivity, suggesting antigenic diversity among clade B viruses. Neutralizing epitopes were found in the V3 loop and CD4- binding domain of gp120, as well as near the transmembrane region (cluster II epitope) of gp41. A mAb directed to the cluster I epitope of gp41 near the immunodominant disulfide loop weakly neutralized one primary isolate. None of the mAb in the panel affected one primary isolate, US4, although this virus was sensitive to neutralization by some of the polyclonal antibody specimens. This isolate was also resistant to neutralization by a cocktail of 10 mAb, most of which individually inhibited at least one of the other three viruses tested. These results suggest that neutralizing activity for this latter virus is present in certain HIV-1+ sera/plasma, but is not exhibited by the mAb in the panel. Thus, effective neutralizing antibodies against primary isolates can be generated by humans upon exposure to HIV-1, but not all of these antigenic specificities are represented in a large panel of human anti-HIV-1 mAb.      

Enhancement of neutralizing efficacy by combining three monoclonal antibodies to human interferon-alpha.

Three murine monoclonal antibodies (mAb) directed to distinct epitopes on recombinant human interferon (IFN)-alpha 1, and three mAb recognizing distinct epitopes on recombinant human interferon (IFN) alpha 1, and three mAb recognizing distinct epitopes on recombinant human IFN-alpha sc, were studied by IFN-neutralizing assays. The efficacy of neutralization of the anti-viral and the anti-proliferative activities of IFN-alpha 1, or IFN-alpha 2c, by the specific antibodies used, individually or in combination, were evaluated. In comparison with single mAb, the mixtures of three mAb against IFN-alpha 1 or three mAb against IFN-alpha 2c were capable of neutralizing more than 10-times larger amounts of IFN-alpha 1 and alpha 2c, respectively. The strong potentiation of the neutralization efficacy resulting from mixing different mAb was demonstrated by neutralization of the anti-viral as well as the anti-proliferative activities of both recombinant IFN. The neutralization experiments support the interpretation that the observed potentiation results from simultaneous interaction of anti-IFN mAb with different epitope specificity.     

A predefined epitope-specific monoclonal antibody recognizes ELDEWA-epitope just presenting on gp41 of HIV-1 O clade

Diverse variation of HIV-1 is a grave challenge for prevention of viral infection and immunotherapy. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) 2F5 recognizing an epitope ELDKWA (aa669-674) on HIV-1 envelope protein gp41 showed broad neutralizing activity against a lot of HIV-1 strains including primary isolates. However, viral mutation from ELDKWA to ELDEWA resulted in viral evasion from neutralization by mAb 2F5. Using ELDEWA-epitope-peptide (C-GFLDEWAGELDEWA) conjugated with carrier protein keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), a mAb 14D9 (IgGl) was prepared and identified as the mAb with predefined ELDEWA-epitope specificity. The mAb 14D9 recognized the ELDEWA epitope, but not other three epitopes (ELDKWA, ELNKWA and ELEKWA). In comparison, mAb 2F5 could recognize only ELDKWA, but not three neutralization-resistant epitopes (ELDEWA, ELNKWA and ELEKWA). Interestingly, we searched several authoritative HIV sequence databases (http://hiv-web.lanl.gov) and found out that nearly all the viral isolates bearing the ELDEWA epitope belong to the O clade, the only exceptional viral isolate bearing the epitope ELDEWA has been demonstrated to be an intergroup M/O recombinant, which suggests that the ELDEWA-epitope on gp41 represents a specific epitope-marker of HIV-1 O clade. To confirm whether the mAb 14D9 recognizes gp41 of HIV-1 O clade, the rsgp41(IIIB), bearing ELDKWA-epitope was site-directed-mutated to the rsgp41 bearing ELDEWA-epitope. The mAb 14D9 could bind to rsgp41 bearing ELDEWA-epitope in immunoblotting analysis, did not bind to rsgp41 bearing ELDKWA-epitope. These experimental results suggest that the mAb 14D9 with predefined ELDEWA-epitope specificity may be applied to HIV-1 O clade identification.     

HPV31型L2保守中和表位可诱发广谱中和抗体

目的研究人乳头瘤病毒31型(HPV31)次要外壳蛋白L2保守中和表位的免疫活性及诱发抗体的中和范围。方法合成法获得HPV31 L2 aa.17-40多肽,用EDC法偶联KLH,联合弗氏佐剂免疫新西兰大白兔,用假病毒中和实验检测免疫血清对来自α4、α7、α9、α10及β1亚属的多个HPV型别的中和抗体。结果 HPV31 L2-KLH偶联肽可在新西兰大白兔体内诱发针对至少17种HPV型别的广谱中和抗体,其中HPV31的中和抗体滴度最高,HPV5/45/57的次之。结论首次发现HPV31 L2保守中和表位免疫血清具有广谱中和活性,为基于该表位的广谱HPV疫苗研发奠定了基础。     

The DE loop of the domain III of the envelope protein appears to be associated with West Nile virus neutralization

The envelope (E) protein of WNV plays an important role in the virus neutralization. Using a mAb 5E8, a neutralizing epitope on the domain III of the E of the New York strain of WN virus was characterized. Results from neutralization-escape mutants and site-directed mutagenesis revealed that the 5E8 epitope is a highly conformation dependent epitope consisting of at least residues E330, E332 and E367 on the domain III. Besides known critical neutralizing epitopes E330 and E332, our results indicate that residue E367, a component of DE loop on the domain III, appeared to be associated with neutralization but little with neuroinvasion of the virus, as reported previously (Beasley et al., 2002).     

Immunodominant epitopes mapped by synthetic peptides on the capsid protein of avian hepatitis E virus are non-protective

Avian hepatitis E virus (avian HEV) was recently discovered in chickens with hepatitis-splenomegaly syndrome in the United States. The open reading frame 2 (ORF2) protein of avian HEV has been shown to cross-react with human and swine HEV ORF2 proteins, and immunodominant antigenic epitopes on avian HEV ORF2 protein were identified in the predicted antigenic domains by synthetic peptides. However, whether these epitopes are protective against avian HEV infection has not been investigated. In this study, groups of chickens were immunized with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-conjugated peptides and recombinant avian HEV ORF2 antigen followed by challenge with avian HEV virus to assess the protective capacity of these peptides containing the epitopes. While avian HEV ORF2 protein showed complete protection against infection, viremia and fecal virus shedding were found in all peptide-immunized chickens. Using purified IgY from normal, anti-peptide, and anti-avian HEV ORF2 chicken sera, an in-vitro neutralization and in-vivo monitoring assay was performed to further evaluate the neutralizing ability of anti-peptide IgY. Results showed that none of the anti-peptide IgY can neutralize avian HEV in vitro, as viremia, fecal virus shedding, and seroconversion appeared similarly in chickens inoculated with avian HEV mixed with anti-peptide IgY and chickens inoculated with avian HEV mixed with normal IgY. As expected, chickens inoculated with the avian HEV and anti-avian HEV ORF2 IgY mixture did not show detectable avian HEV infection. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrated that immunodominant epitopes on avian HEV ORF2 protein identified by synthetic peptides are non-protective, suggesting protective neutralizing epitope on avian HEV ORF2 may not be linear as is human HEV.     

Conserved amino acids W423 and N424 in receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV are potential targets for therapeutic monoclonal antibody

The receptor-binding domain (RBD) on spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is the main region interacting with the viral receptor-ACE2 and is a useful target for induction of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV infection. Here we generated two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), targeting RBD, with marked virus neutralizing activity. The mAbs recognize a new conformational epitope which consists of several discontinuous peptides (aa. 343-367, 373-390 and 411-428) and is spatially located neighboring the receptor-binding motif (RPM) region of the RBD. Importantly, W423 and N424 residues are essential for mAb recognition and are highly conserved among 107 different strains of SARS, indicating that the residues are the most critical in the epitope which is a novel potential target for therapeutic mAbs. A human-mouse chimeric antibody, based upon the original murine mAb, was also constructed and shown to possess good neutralizing activity and high affinity.     

Sequences of the major antibody binding epitopes of the Indiana serotype of vesicular stomatitis virus

A panel of neutralizing and nonneutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to the Indiana strain of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV-IND) were used to select nonbinding VSV-IND mutants. In addition, virus was passaged against high titered polyclonal antisera to select for poorly neutralized virus mutants. Nucleic acid sequencing localized mutations in the surface spike glycoprotein (G protein) sequence which were associated with decreased neutralization by polyclonal antisera and with nonbinding by neutralizing and nonneutralizing MAbs. The major neutralization epitope, the A epitope, is composed of at least two regions that are widely separated in the primary G protein sequence. We found evidence for both continuous and discontinuous determinants within the A epitope and found one strongly selected region that may function as an antigenic loop. The high degree of sequence homology between VSV-IND and the other major VSV serotype, VSV-New Jersey (VSV-NJ) allowed us to predict some of the neutralization epitopes of VSV-New Jersey. Alignment of VSV and rabies virus sequences revealed that major neutralizing epitopes in VSV correspond to sites of carbohydrate attachment in rabies. This may be of significance in the evolution of rhabdoviruses.     

一种新型戊型肝炎病毒样颗粒的表达、纯化及其免疫原性

目的以非包涵体形式表达含戊型肝炎病毒(HEV)中和抗原表位的新型HEV重组蛋白,并对其进行鉴定和分析。方法将HEV开放阅读框架2(ORF2)编码452~617位氨基酸的基因片段连接到载体pET28a( ),转化大肠杆菌,获取表达克隆。以Ni-NTA层析柱纯化表达的蛋白,并用SDS-PAGE、Westernblot和直接电镜负染等方法分析鉴定,最后免疫小鼠检测特异性抗体的产生水平。结果表达的重组蛋白天然可溶,相对分子质量(Mr)约为22000,并可形成直径为20nm左右的病毒样颗粒,能与戊型肝炎患者血清发生Westernblot阳性反应,免疫小鼠后可诱导产生高滴度的特异性抗体。体外中和试验显示产生的抗体具有中和HEV的活性。结论原核表达的、含HEV中和抗原表位的、长度仅166个氨基酸的HEVORF2近3′端编码蛋白能够形成病毒样颗粒,而且该新型病毒样颗粒具有良好的抗原性和免疫原性。     

Complexity of the single linear neutralization epitope of the mouse arterivirus lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus

Results from indirect ELISAs using synthetic peptides of various length that represent segments of the ectodomain of the envelope glycoprotein, VP-3P, of lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus (LDV) showed that the primary neutralization epitope of LDV is located in a short linear hydrophilic segment in the center of the ectodomain. The epitope becomes slightly altered by amino acid substitutions in the ectodomain and inactivation of virions by various treatments. Neutralizing anti-VP-3P antibodies (Abs) to the epitope interact with the synthetic peptides only if they possess a certain conformation. When the peptides were immobilized on ELISA plates, neutralizing mAbs elicited to inactivated LDV and neutralizing Abs from infected mice bound best to the peptides that consisted of the full-length, 30-amino-acid-long ectodomain. The Abs bound poorly, if at all, to most of the shorter peptides when immobilized, whether truncated at the N- or C-end, but when in solution the same peptides strongly inhibited the binding of the Abs to immobilized full-length peptides. Thus, a conformation of the epitope required for Ab binding and (or) its steric accessibility were lost upon immobilization of the shorter peptides on ELISA plates. Abs raised in mice to peptide-bovine serum albumin conjugates reacted only with immobilized peptides in the indirect ELISA and failed to neutralize LDV. The neutralization epitope of the common LDV quasispecies, LDV-P and LDV-vx, is flanked by N-glycans that block the immunogenicity of the epitope and the neutralization of these LDVs. Abs to a second weakly immunogenic and probably discontinuous epitope appear in LDV infected mice about 1 month postinfection.     

抗戊型肝炎病毒噬菌体抗体库的构建与筛选

目的 :构建人抗戊型肝炎病毒 (HEV)噬菌体抗体库 ,筛选人源中和性抗HEV的单克隆抗体 (mAb)。方法 :取抗HEV抗体阳性的 6例HE患者静脉血 ,分离淋巴细胞 ,提取细胞总RNA后逆转录。用一组人IgGFab基因特异性引物 ,分别扩增IgGκ0轻链与重链Fd段基因。将κ轻链与Fd段基因先后克隆入噬菌体载体pComb3的相应位点 ,经电穿孔法转化大肠杆菌XL1 Blue ,再以辅助噬菌体VCSM13超感染 ,构建人抗HEV噬菌体抗体库。采用独特的 5轮筛选法 (逐渐降低抗原包被量 ,严格洗脱条件 ) ,以固相化的 4种含中和抗原表位的HEV代表株ORF2重组混合抗原 ,筛选人噬菌体抗体库 ,并以ELISA鉴定噬菌体抗体。结果 :经数次电转化构建了容量为1.9× 10 7重组率为 80 %的κ轻链基因库 ;容量为 1.8× 10 7重组率为 2 0 %的Fab基因库。以含中和抗原表位的HEV代表株ORF2重组混合抗原特异淘筛 5次 ,出现特异富集。ELISA鉴定第 5轮筛选产物 ,得到 4株与HEVORF2重组混合抗原具有较高亲和力的Fab噬菌体抗体 ,可能为中和抗体。结论 :成功地构建了人抗HEV噬菌体抗体库 ,并获得人源抗HEV特异性噬菌体抗体。