抗GⅡ.3型诺如病毒阻断型单克隆抗体的制备和鉴定

诺如病毒(norovirus,NoV)是引起非细菌性急性肠胃炎的主要病原体之一。目前国内外还没有关于抗GⅡ.3NoV组织血型抗原(histo-blood group antigens,HBGAs)阻断型单克隆抗体(monoclonal antibody,mAb)的报道,本研究制备了抗GⅡ.3型NoV HBGA阻断型mAbs,并对这些抗体特性进行了初步的鉴定。采用纯化的GⅡ.3型(GenBank登录号:KY767665)NoV病毒样颗粒(virus-like particles,VLPs)免疫BALB/c小鼠。将GⅡ.3,GⅡ.4(GenBank登录号,KF306214),GⅡ.3S/GⅡ.6P,GⅡ.6S/GⅡ.3P,GⅡ.4-VP1/GⅡ.3-P2主要衣壳蛋白(VP1)抗原或嵌合抗原作为包被抗原采用间接ELISA方法分别对细胞克隆株进行筛选,采用体外HBGA-VLP结合阻断实验对筛选的mAbs进行阻断活性鉴定,利用基于涵盖GⅡ.3突环区(protruding domain,P区)的重叠多肽ELISA和western blot(WB)对阻断抗体结合位点进行特性分析。体外HBGA-VLPs阻断实验显示三株细胞分泌抗体具有阻断活性。挑选目标株制备腹水并对mAbs进行纯化。WB结果显示三株HBGA阻断型mAbs只识别非变性的GⅡ.3 VP1蛋白;基于GⅡ.3 P区重叠多肽的间接ELISA结果显示三株HBGA阻断型mAbs与被检测多肽无结合活性。本研究制备了具有HBGAs阻断活性的GⅡ.3 NoV特异性mAbs,全部只识别非变性的GⅡ.3 VP1蛋白,且结合位点位于GⅡ.3 VP1 P2区。抗GⅡ.3 NoV HBGAs阻断型mAbs的获得为后续研究GⅡ.3 NoV的进化、感染机制和HBGAs结合位点提供了原材料。     

幽门螺杆菌尿素酶B单位DNA疫苗的构建及鉴定

报告了利用淋巴细胞杂交瘤技术制备抗呼吸道合胞病毒蛋白的鼠单克隆抗体。获得 7株分泌抗呼吸道合胞病毒单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞株 :IF12 ,4H10 ,1D8,2B2 ,1G8,4G6 ,2D2。其中IF12 ,4H10 ,1D8,2B2 ,4G6分泌的抗体类别为IgG1,1G8为IgG2a ,2D2为IgG2b。经免疫印迹分析证实单抗 1F12 ,2B2识别病毒 4 4ku的蛋白 ,单抗1G8识别 37ku蛋白 ,2D2识别 2 1ku的病毒蛋白 ,单抗4G6识别病毒 90ku蛋白。对单抗的生物学活性进行了分析 ,单抗 4G6对呼吸道合胞病毒有明显的中和作用 ,小鼠腹水的中和滴度为 1∶32 ,其余各单抗中和滴度均小于1∶4。…     

传染性法氏囊病病毒VP4蛋白单克隆抗体的制备及鉴定

传染性法氏囊病病毒(IBDV)蛋白VP4在抑制宿主免疫应答中起重要作用,为制备IBDV VP4的单克隆抗体,以实验室保存的融合蛋白His-VP4免疫BALB/c小鼠,经过细胞融合、筛选、亚克隆后获得4株能稳定分泌抗VP4的单抗杂交瘤细胞株,分别命名为3B3、3H11、4C8和4G6,经间接ELISA测定4株单抗的亲和力解离常数分别为4.61×10–11、1.71×10–10、4.26×10–11和5.02×10–11,均为高亲和力抗体。4株单抗的重链类型分别为Ig G1、Ig G1、Ig G2b和Ig G1。进一步以Western blotting鉴定,该4株单抗均能特异地识别IBDV的VP4蛋白,间接免疫荧光和Western blotting试验表明4株单抗均能识别IBDV感染DF-1细胞后产生的VP4蛋白。该单抗为检测IBDV以及研究IBDV VP4的生物学作用奠定了基础。     

草鱼呼肠孤病毒VP7蛋白单克隆抗体的制备与应用

草鱼呼肠孤病毒(Grass carp reovirus, GCRV)是导致该病的主要病原, 研究将Ⅰ型草鱼呼肠孤病毒GCRV-873株的外衣壳蛋白VP7基因进行原核表达, 获得高度纯化VP7重组蛋白, 通过免疫BALB/c小鼠, 首次制备筛选得到高效价单克隆抗体。结果显示, GCRV-I vp7基因可在原核表达系统中高效表达, 主要以包涵体形式存在, 大小约为40 kD。免疫小鼠后筛选到了5株IgG类型阳性杂交瘤细胞株, 其中3株亚型为IgG1, 2株亚型为IgG2a。Western Blot实验和直接免疫荧光实验显示, 该抗体可特异识别GCRV-873, 并且ELISA检测原核重组蛋白的效价高达204800, 亲和常数为4.04×109。研究制备的VP7蛋白单克隆抗体, 为GCRV-I病毒诊断技术开发及病毒感染机制的深入研究提供实验基础。     

腺相关病毒的衣壳装配和DNA衣壳化机制

重组腺相关病毒载体 (rAAV) 是基因治疗临床应用载体的选择之一。在简述野生型AAV基因组结构和复制机制的基础上,阐述了AAV包装过程中两个主要事件：衣壳蛋白的装配和基因组DNA的衣壳化。虽然对AAV的包装机制总体上已有一定的认识,但其详细的分子机制、构效关系仍需完善和充实。AAV病毒本身相关机制的深入研究有助于改善rAAV载体的制备技术,促进rAAV基因药物研发。     

利用荧光标记的T7噬菌体研究配体/受体的相互作用

将鸡传染性法氏囊病病毒(IBDV)衣壳蛋白VP2展示到T7噬菌体表面,以FITC标记纯化的重组噬菌体,通过荧光显微镜观察与流式细胞仪检测,研究标记噬菌体与病毒受体细胞--法氏囊B细胞的相互作用.结果展示有IBDV VP2蛋白的噬菌体经FITC标记后仍然具有与受体细胞结合的特性,荧光显微镜下可见绿色荧光,流式数据显示其平均荧光强度明显高于阴性对照,且IBDV疫苗株TAD可明显阻断其结合.由此得出结论,FITC标记与噬菌体展示技术相结合,可进行配体/受体间相互作用的研究.     

人源抗发热伴血小板减少综合征布尼亚病毒-Gn蛋白重组抗体的研究

为研制人源抗发热伴血小板减少综合征布尼亚病毒(Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus,SFTSV)Gn蛋白重组抗体,本研究利用噬菌体表面展示技术,以SFTSV全病毒颗粒和重组表达SFTSV-Gn蛋白为抗原,从人源抗SFTSV Fab噬菌体抗体库中筛选抗SFTSV-Gn蛋白的重组Fab抗体,通过ELISA对Fab抗体的结合特异性进行检测。将Fab抗体基因克隆入哺乳动物细胞表达载体HL51-14,瞬时转染293T细胞获得分泌表达的IgG抗体。通过ELISA、IFA和Western-blotting检测IgG抗体的结合特异性。采用亲和层析纯化IgG抗体,并用微量中和试验检测IgG抗体的中和活性。结果表明经过三轮富集筛选,以SFTSV病毒颗粒为抗原筛选出364株针对SFTS病毒核蛋白Fab抗体,没有筛选出特异性结合Gn蛋白的阳性克隆,而通过Gn蛋白筛选得到8株特异结合Gn蛋白的Fab抗体,其中5株来自Lambda库,3株来自Kappa库。ELISA、IFA和Western-blotting检测证实这8株IgG抗体均能特异性结合Gn蛋白。微量中和试验显示8株新筛抗体没有中和活性,但仍可为后续SFTSV人源单克隆抗体的研究提供借鉴和参考。     

2株WU多瘤病毒全基因组序列测定和分析

WU多瘤病毒(WUPyV)是多瘤病毒科多瘤病毒属的新成员,近来发现与人呼吸道感染等有关。本研究对2株WUPyV进行全基因组序列测定和拼接,获得这2株病毒全基因组序列,并与已上传到GenBank的国内外几株WUPyV的全基因组序列和氨基酸序列进行比对和系统进化分析。这2株WUPyV是环状、双链DNA病毒,基因组全长5 228bp,比GenBank已知WUPyV全序列少1bp。缺失的一对碱基位于位点4 536处,属于大T抗原的非编码区。病毒全基因组编码5个蛋白,分别是3个衣壳蛋白VP2、VP3、VP1与大T抗原和小T抗原。系统进化分析显示相对中国福建福州的FZ18株,另一株FZTF株与参考株-澳大利亚的B0株关系较近。     

含HIV-1 gag、gagV3基因的重组腺病毒伴随病毒的构建及其免疫原性的研究

将HIV－1中国株42（B亚型）gag基因及gag与gp120 V3区的嵌合基因gag V3插入腺病毒伴随病毒（AAV）表达载体（pSNAV）质粒中,构建重组质粒pSNAV-gag及pSNAV-gagV3;采用脂质体转染的方法分别将重组质粒转入BHK细胞,G418筛选得到转入重组质粒并能表达外源基因的细胞系,命名为BHK－gag及BHK－gagV3。用具有重组腺病毒伴随病毒（rAAV）包装功能的一种重组单纯疱疹病毒（rHSV）分析感染这两株细胞系,纯化后得到rAAV,电镜观察可见到大量实心病毒颗粒,核酸杂交检测重组病毒滴度达到10^12病毒颗粒／ml,重组病毒感染293细胞,ELISA检测有gag及gagV3基因的表达。用重组病毒免疫Balb/C小鼠,检测抗体及细胞免疫水平,证明重组病毒可以在小鼠体内诱导产生细胞及体液免疫。     

单克隆抗体对小苍兰褪绿条纹花叶病毒及其决定簇的作用特性

采用杂交瘤技术，得到抗小苍兰褪绿色条纹花叶病毒（FCSMV）六个单克隆抗体P3、4A4，6B、，7A6，7D1和7DS。ELISA效价分别为1：1062－1：10^6。7A6攻7D1属于IgG1亚类，7D8和4A4分属IgG2a和IgG2b亚类，P3和6B1属于IgG2亚类。电镜观察单克隆抗体与病毒形成的复合物发现7D1能使病毒粒子发生严重裂断。6株单克隆抗体中P3，4A4、6B1对应于病毒外壳蛋白上的顺序决定簇。纯化的病毒外壳蛋白经酶裂解和改进的盘状电泳分离，得到八段与多克隆抗体反应的收集液。用顺序决定族的单克隆抗体检出P3对应的肽段22和4A4对应的肽段78。本文还讨论了7D1使病毒粒子发生断裂的原因和与病毒粒子表面结构的关系以及分离抗原决定族所在片段的意义。     

Establishment of internal-image anti-idiotype monoclonal antibodies to a human antibody to lung cancer

 Internal-image anti-idiotype antibodies are expected to enhance anticancer effector mechanisms in vivo. The objective of this study was to establish hybridomas producing anti-idiotype monoclonal antibodies against a human monoclonal antibody (hmAb) 4G12 that reacts strongly with lung squamous cell carcinomas. BALB/c female mice 6 weeks old were immunized with 4G12. Splenocytes were hybridized with P3U1 cells and hybrid cells secreting anti-4G12 hmAb were cloned. Two clones reacted with 4G12 hmAb but not with 3H12 IgM hmAb, human IgM, human serum or fetal calf serum. These two Ab2 antibodies (IgG1κ) 2B12 and 2H1 demonstrated 91.5% and 90.3% inhibition in their reactivity with radiolabelled 4G12 on PC10 cells, indicating that 2B12 and 2H1 antibodies were of the Ab2β type. In criss-cross inhibition assays, the binding of 2B12 or 2H1 to 4G12 was not inhibited by 2H1 or 2B12. Thus 2B12 and 2H1 were thought to recognize the different epitopes on the antigen-binding sites. Antisera against 2B12 and 2H1 demonstrated specific reactivity to PC10 cells. The two Ab2β antibodies, 2B12 and 2H1, express internal images of lung squamous cell carcinoma recognized by the 4G12 antibody and may be useful for cancer immunotherapy. Received: 20 September 1996 / Accepted: 2 January 1997     

牛病毒性腹泻病毒单克隆抗体的研究

牛病毒性腹泻——粘膜病是世界性广泛流行的奶牛和肉牛的传染病。其病原为牛病毒性腹泻病毒(BVDV),属于披膜病毒科的瘟病毒属,它的许多生物学特性至今还不很清楚。本试验建立了12株分泌抗BVDV的单克隆抗体(McAb)杂交瘤细胞株,并结合免疫转移电泳法和放射免疫沉淀法,初步研究了BVDV的多肽。     

Neutralization escape mutants define a dominant immunogenic neutralization site on hepatitis A virus.

Hepatitis A virus is an hepatotrophic human picornavirus which demonstrates little antigenic variability. To topologically map immunogenic sites on hepatitis A virus which elicit neutralizing antibodies, eight neutralizing monoclonal antibodies were evaluated in competition immunoassays employing radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies and HM-175 virus. Whereas two antibodies (K3-4C8 and K3-2F2) bound to intimately overlapping epitopes, the epitope bound by a third antibody (B5-B3) was distinctly different as evidenced by a lack of competition between antibodies for binding to the virus. The other five antibodies variably blocked the binding of both K3-4C8-K3-2F2 and B5-B3, suggesting that these epitopes are closely spaced and perhaps part of a single neutralization immunogenic site. Several combinations of monoclonal antibodies blocked the binding of polyclonal human convalescent antibody by greater than 96%, indicating that the neutralization epitopes bound by these antibodies are immunodominant in humans. Spontaneously arising HM-175 mutants were selected for resistance to monoclonal antibody-mediated neutralization. Fourteen clonally isolated mutants demonstrated substantial resistance to multiple monoclonal antibodies, including K3-4C8-K3-2F2 and B5-B3. In addition, 13 mutants demonstrated a 10-fold or greater reduction in neutraliztion mediated by polyclonal human antibody. Neutralization resistance was associated with reduced antibody binding. These results suggest that hepatitis A virus may differ from poliovirus in possessing a single, dominant neutralization immunogenic site and therefore may be a better candidate for synthetic peptide or antiidiotype vaccine development.     

Determinants of Neutralization Resistance in the Envelope Glycoproteins of a Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Passaged In Vivo

In vivo passage of a simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV-89.6) generated a virus, SHIV-89.6P, that exhibited increased resistance to some neutralizing antibodies (G. B. Karlsson et al., J. Exp. Med. 188:1159-1171, 1998). Here we examine the range of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) neutralizing antibodies to which the passaged virus became resistant and identify envelope glycoprotein determinants of antibody resistance. Compared with the envelope glycoproteins derived from the parental SHIV-89.6, the envelope glycoproteins of the passaged virus were resistant to antibodies directed against the gp120 V3 variable loop and the CD4 binding site. By contrast, both viral envelope glycoproteins were equally sensitive to neutralization by two antibodies, 2G12 and 2F5, that recognize poorly immunogenic structures on gp120 and gp41, respectively. Changes in the V2 and V3 variable loops of gp120 were necessary and sufficient for full resistance to the IgG1b12 antibody, which is directed against the CD4 binding site. Changes in the V3 loop specified complete resistance to a V3 loop-directed antibody, while changes in the V1/V2 loops conferred partial resistance to this antibody. The epitopes of the neutralizing antibodies were not disrupted by the resistance-associated changes. These results indicate that in vivo selection occurs for HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins with variable loop conformations that restrict the access of antibodies to immunogenic neutralization epitopes.     

Syngeneic anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies against an anti-human chorionic gonadotrophin antibody

Monoclonal antibody designated 1B10 (Mab 1B10) has been shown to be highly specific for the beta-chain of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). We used this antibody to investigate its paratope using anti-idiotypic antibodies. Purified Mab 1B10 has been used to immunize syngeneic BALB/c mice to produce anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies. An enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) on Mab 1B10 coated plate was employed to screen the supernatants of growing hybridomas. The specificity of each antibody selected was assessed using an inhibition ELISA and immunoblotting. Monoclonal antibodies belonging to two categories were selected. (a) Those (designated Mab 4F8 and Mab 7G9) recognizing epitopes of the Ig molecule located in/or near the antigen-binding site of Mab 1B10. In ELISA these antibodies were shown to inhibit in a dose-dependent manner, the reaction of Mab 1B10 with its specific antigen; (b) those (Mab 2B8, Mab 3B8) reacting with epitopes located outside of the antigen binding site of the antiHCG antibody molecule and did not influence the reactions of Mab 1B10 and its antigen. Following immunization of syngeneic BALB/c mice monoclonal antibodies (Mab 4F8, Mab 7G9) were produced which recognized epitopes located on the variable region of Mab 1B10 since they did not react with other marine monoclonal antibodies of the same isotype. These antibodies inhibited the binding of Mab 1B10 to its corresponding epitope on the molecule of HCG and they can be defined as syngeneic anti-idiotypic antibodies.     

Evolutionary dynamics of the glycan shield of the human immunodeficiency virus envelope during natural infection and implications for exposure of the 2G12 epitope

Elucidation of the kinetics of exposure of neutralizing epitopes on the envelope of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) during the course of infection may provide key information about how HIV escapes the immune system or why its envelope is such a poor immunogen to induce broadly efficient neutralizing antibodies. We analyzed the kinetics of exposure of the epitopes corresponding to the broadly neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies immunoglobulin G1b12 (IgG1b12), 2G12, and 2F5 at the quasispecies level during infection. We studied the antigenicity and sequences of 94 full-length envelope clones present during primary infection and at least 4 years later in four HIV-1 clade B-infected patients. No or only minor exposure differences were observed for the 2F5 and IgG1b12 epitopes between the early and late clones. Conversely, the envelope glycoproteins of the HIV-1 quasispecies present during primary infection did not expose the 2G12 neutralizing epitope, unlike those present after several years in three of the four patients. Sequence analysis revealed major differences at potential N-linked glycosylation sites between early and late clones, particularly at positions known to be important for 2G12 binding. Our study, in natural mutants, confirms that the glycosylation sites N295, N332, and N392 are essential for 2G12 binding. This study demonstrates the relationship between the evolving "glycan shield " of HIV and the kinetics of exposure of the 2G12 epitope during the course of natural infection.     

Susceptibility of recently transmitted subtype B human immunodeficiency virus type 1 variants to broadly neutralizing antibodies

The ability of the broadly neutralizing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) specific human monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) b12, 2G12, 2F5, and 4E10 to neutralize recently transmitted viruses has not yet been explored in detail. We investigated the neutralization sensitivity of subtype B HIV-1 variants obtained from four primary HIV infection cases and six transmission couples (four homosexual and two parenteral) to these MAbs. Sexually transmitted HIV-1 variants isolated within the first 2 months after seroconversion were generally sensitive to 2F5, moderately resistant to 4E10 and b12, and initially resistant but later more sensitive to 2G12 neutralization. In the four homosexual transmission couples, MAb neutralization sensitivity of HIV in recipients did not correlate with the MAb neutralization sensitivity of HIV from their source partners, whereas the neutralization sensitivity of donor and recipient viruses involved in parenteral transmission was more similar. For a fraction (11%) of the HIV-1 variants analyzed here, neutralization by 2G12 could not be predicted by the presence of N-linked glycosylation sites previously described to be involved in 2G12 binding. Resistance to 2F5 and 4E10 neutralization did also not correlate with mutations in the respective core epitopes. Overall, we observed that the neutralization resistance of recently transmitted subtype B HIV-1 variants was relatively high. Although 8 of 10 patients had viruses that were sensitive to neutralization by at least one of the four broadly neutralizing antibodies studied, 4 of 10 patients harbored at least one virus variant that seemed resistant to all four antibodies. Our results suggest that vaccine antigens that only elicit antibodies equivalent to b12, 2G12, 2F5, and 4E10 may not be sufficient to protect against all contemporary HIV-1 variants and that additional cross-neutralizing specificities need to be sought.     

Infection of a macrophage-like cell line, P388D1 with reovirus; effects of immune ascitic fluids and monoclonal antibodies on neutralization and on enhancement of viral growth

We studied the effect of antibody on the growth of reovirus, serotypes 1 and 3, in P388D1, a continuous mouse macrophage-like cell line. Enhanced growth of virus was observed when cells were infected in the presence of nonneutralizing monoclonal antibodies or subneutralizing concentrations of either immune ascitic fluids or neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. Both enhancement of viral growth and neutralization were accompanied by an antibody-mediated increase in binding of radiolabeled virus to P388D1 cells. Although neutralization was seen only with monoclonal antibodies directed toward the sigma-1 surface protein of the virus, enhancement was observed with two monoclonal antibodies directed toward other surface proteins. Trypsin treatment of P388D1 cells abrogated enhanced growth of virus mediated by a mouse IgG2a antibody; preincubation with P388D1 with human IgG1 but not IgG2 myeloma proteins also abrogated enhancement by immune ascitic fluid or monoclonal antibody. These observations are compatible with known properties of P388D1 Fc receptors and support the role of the Fc receptor in antibody-mediated infection.     

Identification of chimpanzee Fab fragments by repertoire cloning and production of a full-length humanized immunoglobulin G1 antibody that is highly efficient for neutralization of dengue type 4 virus

A safe and effective dengue vaccine is still not available. Passive immunization with monoclonal antibodies from humans or nonhuman primates represents an attractive alternative for the prevention of dengue virus infection. Fab monoclonal antibodies to dengue type 4 virus (DENV-4) were recovered by repertoire cloning of bone marrow mRNAs from an immune chimpanzee and analyzed for antigen binding specificity, V(H) and V(L) sequences, and neutralizing activity against DENV-4 in vitro. Fabs 5A7, 3C1, 3E4, and 7G4 were isolated from a library constructed from a chimpanzee following intrahepatic transfection with infectious DENV-4 RNA. Fabs 5H2 and 5D9, which had nearly identical V(H) sequences but varied in their V(L) sequences, were recovered from a library constructed from the same chimpanzee after superinfection with a mixture of DENV-1, DENV-2, and DENV-3. In radioimmunoprecipitation, Fab 5A7 precipitated only DENV-4 prM, and Fabs 3E4, 7G4, 5D9, and 5H2 precipitated DENV-4 E but little or no prM. Fab 3E4 and Fab 7G4 competed with each other for binding to DENV-4 in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, as did Fab 3C1 and Fab 5A7. Fab 5H2 recognized an epitope on DENV-4 that was separate from the epitope(s) recognized by other Fabs. Both Fab 5H2 and Fab 5D9 neutralized DENV-4 efficiently with a titer of 0.24 to 0.58 micro g/ml by plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), whereas DENV-4-neutralizing activity of other Fabs was low or not detected. Fab 5H2 was converted to full-length immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) by combining it with human sequences. The humanized chimpanzee antibody IgG1 5H2 produced in CHO cells neutralized DENV-4 strains from different geographical origins at a similar 50% plaque reduction (PRNT(50)) titer of 0.03 to 0.05 micro g/ml. The DENV-4 binding affinities were 0.42 nM for Fab 5H2 and 0.24 nM for full-length IgG1 5H2. Monoclonal antibody IgG1 5H2 may prove valuable for passive immunoprophylaxis against dengue virus in humans.     

Increased efficacy of HIV-1 neutralization by antibodies at low CCR5 surface concentration

It has been observed that some antibodies, including the CD4-induced (CD4i) antibody IgG X5 and the gp41-specific antibody IgG 2F5, exhibit higher neutralizing activity in PBMC-based assays than in cell line based assays [J.M. Binley, T. Wrin, B. Korber, M.B. Zwick, M. Wang, C. Chappey, G. Stiegler, R. Kunert, S. Zolla-Pazner, H. Katinger, C.J. Petropoulos, D.R. Burton, Comprehensive cross-clade neutralization analysis of a panel of anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 monoclonal antibodies, J. Virol. 78 (2004) 13232-13252]. It has been hypothesized that the lower CCR5 concentration on the surface of the CD4 T lymphocytes compared to that on cell lines used for the neutralization assays could be a contributing factor to the observed differences in neutralizing activity. To test this hypothesis and to further elucidate the contribution of CCR5 concentration differences on antibody neutralizing activity, we used a panel of HeLa cell lines with well-defined and differential surface concentrations of CCR5 and CD4 in a pseudovirus-based assay. We observed that the CCR5 cell surface concentration but not the CD4 concentration had a significant effect on the inhibitory activity of X5 and several other CD4i antibodies including 17b and m9, as well as that of the gp41-specifc antibodies 2F5 and 4E10 but not on that of the CD4 binding site antibody (CD4bs), b12. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) decreased up to two orders of magnitude in cell lines with low CCR5 concentration corresponding to that in CD4 T cells used in PBMC-based assays (about 10(3) per cell) compared to cell lines with high CCR5 concentration (about 10(4) or more). Our results suggest that the CCR5 cell surface concentration could be a contributing factor to the high neutralizing activities of some antibodies in PBMC-based-assays but other factors could also play an important role. These findings could have implications for development of vaccine immunogens based on the epitopes of X5 and other CD4i antibodies, for elucidation of the mechanisms of HIV-1 neutralization by antibodies, and for design of novel therapeutic approaches.