Development of polyclonal ELISA for the N-methylcarbamate insecticide bendiocarb

A polyclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was developed for the N-methylcarbamate insecticide bendiocarb (2,2-dimethyl-1,3-benzodioxol-4-yl methylcarbamate). Two novel haptens having dimethylbenzodioxyl and dimethylbenzofuranyl groups connected to oxyacetyl-γ-aminobutanoic acid and oxyacetyl-β-alanine spacer arm respectively were synthesised. The first hapten was conjugated to carrier proteins to make antigens that were used to raise polyclonal antibodies in rabbits. The antibodies specifically recognised bendiocarb and its metabolite 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-benzodiox-4-ol with an IC₅₀ value of 9 ppb (ng ml^-1). The assay was standardised using the competitive ELISA format at 0.0625 µg antibody concentration and at 1/10k pesticide-HRP dilution. Matrix effect studies were carried out in four vegetable and cereal food samples. Matrix effect elimination in cabbage, cauliflower and rice was achieved by simple dilution of the extract. Five different approaches were attempted to achieve matrix clean up in paddy rice. C-18 column and gel permeation column chromatography (GPC) helped in the matrix removal. The spike and recovery studies for all the four food samples gave a recovery in the range of 75-95%, thus indicating the efficiency of the matrix elimination procedures developed.     

Development and preliminary evaluation of a slide latex agglutination assay for detection of Clostridium perfringens type A enterotoxin

A slide latex agglutination (SLA) assay was developed for rapid screening for Clostridium perfringens type A enterotoxin (CPE). SLA specifically detected CPE added to buffer or normal feces (sensitivity limit of 1 μg CPE/g feces). Using clinical fecal samples from C. perfringens food poisoning cases, a strong correlation was shown between (1) SLA results and results from other CPE assays and (2) between SLA results and illness status.     

抗人CD25分子单链抗体基因的构建、表达及初步鉴定

目的:构建和表达抗人CD25分子单链抗体(scFv)蛋白,并测定其生物学活性。方法:用RT-PCR方法从能分泌特异性抗CD25单克隆抗体(mAb)的杂交瘤细胞中分离纯化抗体VH和VL基因。用重叠延伸PCR方法将VH和VL拼接在一起,构建抗CD25分子scFv的基因。将scFv基因克隆至pMD18T,用限制性内切酶切以及测序鉴定。将scFv基因连接到pBAD/gⅢA表达载体,转化Top10表达菌。阳性克隆用左旋阿拉伯糖诱导4 h,SDS-PAGE电泳检测蛋白纯度,竞争抑制ELISA实验检测其活性。结果:scFv基因长度约为700 bp。通过DNA序列测定和分析,构建出VL-(GGGGS)3-VH(但其中349位G突变为A,使Linker其中一位Gly→Ser)。其VH隶属于小鼠Ig重链可变区Ⅲ(C)亚类,全长351 bp,可编码117个氨基酸;其VL隶属于小鼠Igκ轻链可变区Ⅳ亚类,全长318 bp,可编码106个氨基酸。TOP10中表达的scFv抗体加上同时融合表达的两个标签6×His和C-mycMr约为31 000,结果符合scFv的Mr。竞争抑制细胞ELISA实验显示表达的scFv具有活性。结论:此scFv基因的表达产物具有一定的特异结合活性。为抗CD25 scFv的临床应用打下了基础。     

Activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 enhances interleukin (IL)-1beta-stimulated release of IL-6 in cultured human astrocytes

Previous studies have demonstrated that human astrocytes express mRNA and receptor protein for group I and II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). Whether these receptors can influence the inflammatory and immune response and can modulate the capacity of astrocytes to produce inflammatory cytokines is still unclear. Inflammatory cytokines can be produced by activated glial cells and play a critical role in several neurological disorders. Astrocyte-enriched human cell cultures growing in a serum-free chemically defined medium were used to study the regulation of IL (interleukin)-1β and IL-6 in response to mGluR activation. Astrocytes cultured in the absence or in the presence of epidermal growth factor (EGF), did not secrete significant IL-1β and IL-6, as determined by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Activation of mGluRs using (S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG; selective group I agonist) or DCG-IV (selective group II agonist) did not affect the production of interleukins under both growth conditions. On exposure to IL-1β high levels of IL-6 were detected. Activation of mGluR3 with DCG-IV (but not of mGluR5 with DHPG) enhanced, in the presence of IL-1β, the release of IL-6 in a dose dependent manner in astrocytes cultured under conditions (+EGF) in which the mGluR expression is known to be upregulated. The effect of mGluR3 activation on IL-1β stimulated release of IL-6 was prevented by selective group II mGluR antagonists. The capacity of mGluR3 to modulate the release of IL-6 in the presence of IL-1β supports the possible involvement of this receptor subtype in the regulation of the inflammatory and immune response under pathological conditions associated with glial cell activation.     

Genotype,serotype, and phylogenetic characterization of the complete genome sequence of hepatitis B virus isolates from Malawian chronic carriers of the virus

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes have distinct geographical distribution. HBV sequences among hepatitis B carriers in Malawi have not been evaluated thus far. HBsAg serotype and genotype of HBV was determined in 20 serum samples from Malawian chronic HBV carriers, and two complete genomes and 13 entire pre-S2/S genes were sequenced directly. Genotype A HBV isolates were found in all of the samples, and serotype with adw2 and ayw2 were detected in three and 17 samples, respectively. In phylogenetic analyses, two complete genomes were classified into a subgroup A' that was described previously in South African isolates of the virus, and were separated from HBV isolates in Western countries with nucleotide differences ranging from 4.1-6.2%. The separation of subgroup A' was also evident in the tree topology of the entire pre-S1/S2, X and precore/core region, but not evident in the small-S region. The nucleotide divergences in subgroup A' were higher than those among genotype A without subgroup A' in the complete genomes as well as each of four open reading frames. All of the 13 pre-S2/S sequences were classified into the subgroup A', and clustered with known HBV isolates with ayw2 in carriers from South Africa and Zimbabwe. Three amino acids in the pre-S2/S gene were characteristic of subgroup A' with ayw2. In conclusion, unique HBV isolates of subgroup A' with ayw2 are prevalent in Malawi, and subgroup A' with a relatively higher nucleotide diversity may be a HBV isolate characteristic of the indigenous population of some African countries.     

Use of a chimeric ELISA to investigate immunoglobulin E antibody responses to Der p 1 and Der p 2 in mite-allergic patients with asthma, wheezing and/or rhinitis

BACKGROUND: Sensitization to indoor allergens, particularly to dust mites, is a strong risk factor for asthma in children and adults. Assessment of sensitization is carried out using in vivo and in vitro tests to detect specific IgE antibodies. OBJECTIVE: To investigate IgE antibody responses to mites in patients with asthma, wheezing and/or rhinitis, using chimeric ELISA to measure specific IgE antibodies to mite allergens Der p 1 and Der p 2. METHODS: Specific IgE antibodies to Der p 1 and Der p 2 were quantified by chimeric ELISA, and compared with IgE to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpt) measured using the CAP system (Pharmacia). A panel of sera from 212 patients with asthma, wheezing and/or rhinitis and 11 controls was analysed. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between IgE to Dpt measured by CAP and IgE to Der p 1 (r = 0.81, P < 0.001), Der p 2 (r = 0.79, P < 0.001) and combined Der p 1 and Der p 2 (r = 0.86, P < 0.001). Seventy per cent of all patients had IgE to Dpt, and of those, 76.5% had IgE to Der p 1, 79.2% had IgE to Der p 2 and 83.1% had IgE to Der p 1 and Der p 2 combined. Considering the cut-off level of 2 IU/mL of IgE to either Der p 1 or Der p 2, the predictive value for a positive IgE to Dpt by CAP was greater than 95%. CONCLUSIONS: The chimeric ELISA allowed accurate quantification of IgE antibodies to Dpt allergens Der p 1 and Der p 2, and it could be useful for studying immune responses to mites in patients with asthma and/or rhinitis.     

抗磺胺嘧啶单克隆抗体的制备及其ELISA检测试剂盒的建立

目的 :制备抗磺胺嘧啶 (SD)的单克隆抗体 (mAb) ,并研制SD快速检测试剂盒。方法 :以SD BSA的偶联物作为抗原免疫BALB/c小鼠 ,采用杂交瘤技术制备抗SD的mAb。并用抗SDmAb和SD HRP酶标抗原 ,建立一种可检测样品中的游离SD分子的竞争法ELISA。结果 :获得 5株可分泌抗SDmAb的杂交瘤细胞 1A1、1B8、1E4、2C1和 3D9。其中 1A1、1B8和 1E4为IgG1,2C1和 3D9为IgG2。试剂盒的半数抑制率 (I5 0 )为 9.3μg/L ,理论最低检出量达到 0 .6μg/L ,对于不同样品中SD的回收率均高于 60 %。除与SD反应以外 ,该试剂盒对其他磺胺类药物检测的交叉反应均小于 3 %。结论 :成功地制备了抗SD的mAb ,并建立了一种可快速检测各种样品中SD的竞争ELISA试剂盒     

Dispersion of horse allergen in the ambient air, detected with sandwich ELISA

BACKGROUND: The objective was to establish an ELISA to detect horse allergen in ambient air and settled dust. METHODS: Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were produced against extracts of horse antigen. Two mAbs were selected and used in a sandwich ELISA. By the aid of portable pumps, air samples were collected in one stable and in the ambient air surrounding this stable. Furthermore, settled dust was collected by wiping spots with pieces of fabric, at sites within 500 m of the stable. RESULTS: Extracts of horsehair could be extensively diluted and still be positive. Extracts of cat and dog allergen failed to be detected. Furthermore, the mAbs were shown to detect an IgE-binding component. This was demonstrated by an ELISA using mAbs as capture antibody and sera from horse-allergic subjects as secondary antibody with readout depending on anti-IgE antibody. The sera with the highest RAST class to horse were positive in this ELISA. Airborne levels of horse allergen were over 500-fold higher in the stable than just outside the stable and over 3000-fold higher than at a residential building located only 12 m from the stable. Similarly, an inverse correlation was found between the distance to the stable and levels of "outdoor settled" horse allergen (r=-0.9, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: We have developed a sensitive, horse-allergen-specific, mAb assay allowing detection of low levels of horse allergens. Raised levels of horse allergen were found outdoors only in the close vicinity of the stable.     

Development of a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detecting cytomegalovirus antibody

A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibody was developed. The competitive ELISA was five times more sensitive than the complement fixation test (CFT) and twice as sensitive as indirect ELISA. Testing of paired sera from cardiac transplant patients taken before and after transplantation showed good correlation between results of competitive and indirect ELISA and CFT. The competitive ELISA was more successful than CFT or indirect ELISA in detecting passively acquired antibody, but detection of CMV antibody by competitive ELISA immediately after primary CMV infection was unreliable, possibly because of the high affinity of the monoclonal antibody chosen for the horseradish peroxidase conjugate. However, competitive ELISA may well prove to be more suitable than indirect ELISA for detecting CMV antibody in blood donations.