Commercial polyclonal and monoclonal histostaining PAP kits

Summary Universal, polyclonal and monoclonal immunoperoxidase staining kits from BioGenex, Dako and Ortho were employed for the localization of antigens such as gastrin, prostate specific antigen, IgA, IgG, AFP and CEA in histological sections from formaldehyde fixed and paraffin embedded human specimens. The kit components were controlled by immunohistological and serological assays and were also compared with self-prepared reagents. In connection with specific primary antibodies, universal/basic kits gave reliable localization of defined antigens. The optimal concentration of the primary antibodies had to be established by dilution experiments. In the case of polyclonal kits, typical antigen localization was obtained in selected tissue sections with all the respective kits. CEA kits also stained strongly NCA molecules present in organs such as colon, stomach and liver. BioGenex polyclonal kits gave almost stronger stainings than kits from Dako and Ortho. Irrespective of which kit from different commercial sources is used, development of peroxidase activity with AEC/H₂O₂ often had to be stopped far below the recommended incubation time of 40 min or overstaining with color change from reddish to muddy green occurred. The latter was attributed to insufficiently balanced kit reagents, an interpretation wich was supported by quantitative serological studies. Sensitivity of immunohistological reactivity was much enhanced by pretreatment of tissue sections with Pronase. Thus, stronger immunostainings and larger numbers of positive cells were detected than in conventionally rehydrated sections. Incubation of sections with self-prepared primary antibodies, linking antibodies and PAP complexes gave essentially the same antigen localization as with commercial kits, but antibodies isolated by our affinity chromatography led to a better staining contrast with absence of nonspecific background. The advantage of monoclonal over polyclonal kits was the background-free staining of sections. Other-wise, antigens were localized in the same cell types, although cellular reactivity was usually less intense than with polyclonal antibodies. This, however, could be overcome by Pronase treatment of the sections prior to incubation.     

Characterization of a variant of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) using monoclonal and polyclonal anti-CEA antibodies

A variant of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) with lower molecular weight than a CEA reference preparation has been separated from CEA. Using a polyclonal, spleen absorbed anti-CEA antiserum, the variant crossreacts with reference CEA in immunodiffusion. The CEA-activity of the variant has been demonstrated using an enzyme-immunoassay with monoclonal CEA specific antibodies. There is sufficient immunological evidence that this variant is a distinct antigen different from the crossreactive antigens described so far. The reactivity of the polyclonal anti-CEA antiserum with the CEA variant was abolished by absorption against the immobilized variant.     

Nonhistone nuclear antigens reactive with autoantibodies. Immunofluorescence studies on distribution in synchronized cells

Sera from patients with certain autoimmune diseases tht contained autoantibodies to nonhistone nuclear antigens were used as reagents in an indirect immunofluorescent study. The distribution of these nuclear antigens was determined in synchronized human B lymphoid cells. Autoantibodies to Sm antigen, nuclear ribonucleoprotein complex and SS- B antigen were used. Although all three nonhistone antigens appeared to show speckled nuclear straining patterns in the Go phase, different patterns of staining were present at other periods of the cell cycle. The SS-B antigen showed a distinctly nucleolar localization during the G1/early S phase. These studies demonstrate that autoantibodies occurring in certain human diseases can be useful reagents for the immunohistological localization of nuclear macromolecules and for tracing their pathways during different phases of cell growth and differentiation.     

Homogeneous penetration but heterogeneous binding of antibodies to carcinoembryonic antigen in human colon carcinoma HT-29 spheroids

Summary The monoclonal antibodies 38S1, directed against the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), were tested for penetration and binding in human colon carcinoma HT-29 spheroids. Penetration was studied with a method which has not previously been used in immunological investigations. The method, which allows unbound substances to be visualized, is based on freeze drying, vapour fixation, dry sectioning and dry autoradiography. The antibodies penetrated easily and all parts of the HT-29 spheroids seemed to be reached within 15 min. The penetration was even faster than in control glioma U-118MG spheroids that did not express CEA. Binding of the 38S1 antibodies was demonstrated after processing with conventional histology and autoradiography. The binding in the HT-29 spheroids was, after a 1-h incubation period, extremely heterogeneous and occurred mainly in the peripheral parts. More cells were binding the antibodies after 8-h and 32-h incubations and these cells were arranged in peripheral clusters. No binding at all was seen in the CEA-negative glioma spheroids. The distribution of CEA antigens in monolayers and in frozen sections of spheroids of HT-29 cells was analysed with immunohistochemical staining using polyclonal CEA antibodies. The CEA antigens were heterogeneously distributed in both spheroids and monolayers and were as heterogeneous as the binding of the monoclonal antibodies in the living spheroids. Thus, the heterogeneous binding in the living spheroids was not due to penetration barriers, but instead to the heterogeneity in the CEA antigen expression.     

The expression of Lewisx on carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-related glycoproteins of normal and inflamed oesophageal squamous mucosa

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-related antigens were detected histologically in normal and inflamed oesophageal squamous mucosa using polyclonal anti-CEA antisera and monoclonal antibodies recognizing CEA or NCAs (non-specific cross-reacting antigens). Expression was limited to the surface of more mature squames. Immunoblotting of detergent extracts of oesophageal mucosa separated on polyacrylamide gels using polyclonal anti-CEA antisera showed a number of CEA-related proteins, of 195, 145, and 80 kDa. CEA-specific monoclonal antibodies recognized only the 195-kDa glycoprotein. The lower molecular weight species were recognized by anti-NCA antibody DD9 and a CD66 antibody. The carboyhydrate antigen Lewis^x (Le^x, CD15), previously shown to be a marker of mature squames, was present predominantly on a subpopulation of the 195-kDa antigen and was demonstrable on the higher molecular weight component of a doublet recognized by the CEA antibodies. Expression of Le^x carbohydrate antigens in inflamed oesophageal squamous mucosa was shown to be significantly reduced relative to the expression seen in normal tissue. A suprabasal layer of CEA-positive, Le^x-negative cells became apparent in inflamed tissue showing altered glycosylation of the CEA under these conditions. It is postulated that CEA plays a role in maintaining the integrity of the squamous mucosa.     

Method for epitope selection of antisera for immunohistology

Polyclonal anti-laminin serum was affinity-purified on paraformaldehyde-fixed laminin on a nitrocellulose filter. The purified antibodies were tested for their specificity in immunohistological stainings on frozen sections of paraformaldehyde-fixed tissue. As compared to the initial polyclonal serum, the purified antibodies increased the specificity of antigen detection, since all background caused by nonspecific reactions was eliminated. This technique promises to be very useful for immunohistological analysis using light and electron microscopy.     

Serology of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Classification by co-agglutination

The co-agglutination (COA) method has been adapted for serological classification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. COA reagents were prepared with selectively absorbed rabbit hyperimmune antibodies against gonoccal (GC) major outer membrane protein (MOMP) serotype strains. Using these reagents, the 16 MOMP reference strains could be referred to at least three antigen classes, tentatively named W, J and M. The GC antigens of class W were divided into three groups I, II and III, and they were in part sensitive to pronase. The antigens of class J reflected strain specific or serotype reactions, some sensitive and others resistant to proteolytic enzymes. The antigens of class M were sensitive to periodate and resistant to pronase. Strains used in serological studies by other authors were tested. The properties of class W correlated well with those of the so-called micro-immunofluorescence and immunotype systems, and class M with those of the so-called endotoxin and acid polysaccharide systems. Strains from three different laboratories could all be grouped by class W and M reagents. Identical strains obtained independently from different laboratories gave very similar reaction patterns with the reagents available. Repeated GC-isolates from patients infected with beta-lactamase producing strains showed stable reactions with class W and J reagents, while there was a time-related variation of the class M pattern. We have found that the COA method is rapid, easy and reproducible in the serological classification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and all the 117 GC-strains tested could be classified.     

The characteristics of a Russian-made kit for the serological identification of streptococci groups A, B and C]

The first Soviet kits for the serological identification of streptococci, groups A, B, and C, on the basis of the coagglutination test were developed. Each kit was intended for 35-40 determinations. The optimum concentration of streptococci during their identification by means of the reagents making up the kit was about 1.6 x 10(9) cells/ml. The specificity of the reagents in comparison with the results of the identification of streptococci by reference methods was 97.3 +/- 0.9%. The reagents making up the kits can be presumably used for solving a number of practical problems in the epidemiological surveillance of streptococcal infection.     

A Comparative Study of Avidin-Biotin-Peroxidase Complexes for the Immunohistochemical Detection of Antigens in Neural Tissue

It has been suggested that the use of avidin-biotin immunohistochemical techniques for antigen detection in neural tissue produces nonspecific background staining. For this reason neural tissue was used to test the quality, sensitivity and specificity of four commercially available antibody detection kits which use avidin or streptavidin binding to biotin. Free-floating, thick-section immunohistochemistry on perfusion fixed rat central nervous system revealed variability among staining kits for all parameters analyzed under the same experimental conditions. The reagents from the Vector 'Elite' kit were the most sensitive and specific, and received the highest overall rating for quality. Most commercial products tested could be used at greater dilutions than those recommended by the manufacturers without compromising specific staining. No staining was evident when the primary and secondary antibodies were omitted. This suggests that nonspecific binding is unlikely to be due to endogenous ligands, charge of hydrophilic reactions between these tertiary complexes and the tissue sections.     

Localization of human pituitary hormones by multiple immunoenzyme staining procedures using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies

Mouse monoclonal and rabbit polyclonal antibodies to human pituitary hormones were applied together to sections of normal and neoplastic human pituitary tissue. Binding sites were revealed with species-specific immune reagents combined with various enzymes (peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, and beta-D-galactosidase). The enzymes were developed separately to give differently colored end-products. Where two hormones were present in the same cell, a mixed color was produced. Up to four hormones could be immunostained in a single section. Multiple immunoenzymatic staining has great potential for the analysis of plural antigen production by single cells and relationships between cells producing different antigens.     

Resin embedment of organs and postembedment localization of antigens by immunoperoxidase methods

Various procedures for nonpolar and polar resin embedment were applied to mouse and rat livers for the study of postembedment immunolocalization of alpha 1-fetoprotein, albumin and the microsomal enzyme epoxide hydrolase. Fixations with formaldehyde and with formaldehyde-glutaraldehyde mixtures were used for tissue stabilization. Both fixation schedules did not abolish immunoreactivity. Treatment of liver with inert compounds such as polyvinylpyrrolidones or chemical modification of antigens with ethyl acetimidate prior to embedment improved immuno-staining. Either the low-polarity solvent ethanol or the highly polar ethylene glycol could be employed as dehydrating agents. Antigens were readily localized in sections from Epon 812 embedded livers. For this purpose, polymerized resin had to be partially removed. On the other hand, immunoreactivity of antigens was only faint after embedment in an epoxy-resin based on diepoxide octane. Also, antigens reacted faintly in sections from livers which were embedded at 0 degrees C in the polar acrylate-methacrylate based Lowicryl K4M resin. The indirect peroxidase labelled antibody method was as specific and sensitive as the PAP technique. Optimal antigen detection was attained with antibodies isolated by affinity chromatography and purified peroxidase conjugates. Apart from purified immunological reagents, the addition of high molarity sodium chloride and bovine serum albumin to the wash solutions enhanced immunohistological specificity.     

Mouse monoclonal antibodies to swine blood group antigens

Eight mouse hybridomas with haemagglutination capacity to swine blood group antigens were obtained, three of them producing antibodies capable of being used as blood group reagents. Two detected the Ba factor and another the Fa factor. The others gave non-specific and weak reactions or cross-reaction with antigens present in more than one system. We conclude that mouse monoclonal antibodies are also suitable for use in swine as a complement of polyclonal reagents.     

An Examination of Commercial Kits for the Determination of Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (GOT) and Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (GPT) in Serum

Four kits for the detection of serum transaminase based on the spectrophotometric method and 15 kits based on the colorimetric procedure were evaluated. Two kits contained faulty reagents in both the SGOT and SGPT packages. Four of the 15 kits gave results which differed significantly from those of the reference method. The precision of the various kit procedures was adequate in each case for the determinations of SGOT and SGPT. The need to evaluate the adequacy of each kit in a routine operation before relying upon the results obtained with it is stressed.     

Monoclonal antibodies for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) as a model system: identification of two novel CEA-related antigens in meconium and colorectal carcinoma tissue by Western blots and differential immunoaffinity chromatography

In a previous study, five monoclonal antibodies against the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) with different epitope specificities were delineated. One of these antibodies which exhibits a high affinity for CEA binds to different carcinoma tissues, to liver tissue, and to granulocytes. This antibody was selected for the immunoaffinity purification of CEA and related antigens from colorectal carcinoma tissue, from spleen tissues, from bile, and from meconium. After elution from the immunosorbent, the antigens were separated by SDS-PAGE, were transferred to nitrocellulose, and were incubated with the five different antibodies. Antibody T84.1 bound to the following antigens: 177 kD and 128 kD from colonic carcinoma, 81 kD from bile, 49 kD from spleen, as well as 165 kD and 100 kD from meconium. Two additional antibodies showed a similar binding pattern. The fourth antibody (CEA.11) bound to the 165 kD meconium antigen and to the two colorectal carcinoma antigens. The fifth antibody (T84.66) showed a strong reaction with the 177 kD colorectal carcinoma antigen and a faint reaction with a 183 kD antigen in meconium. As judged from m.w. and immunochemical properties, the 128 kD colorectal carcinoma antigen and the 100 kD meconium antigen are two novel CEA-related antigens. Because antibody CEA.11 did not bind to the 100 kD meconium antigen in Western blots, the 165 kD antigen could be eluted from a CEA.11 immunosorbent without contamination by the 100 kD antigen. Similarly, as predicted from the binding pattern in the Western blots, the two colorectal carcinoma antigens were separated from each other by a T84.66 immunosorbent.     

Validation of affinity reagents using antigen microarrays

There is a need for standardised validation of affinity reagents to determine their binding selectivity and specificity. This is of particular importance for systematic efforts that aim to cover the human proteome with different types of binding reagents. One such international program is the SH2-consortium, which was formed to generate a complete set of renewable affinity reagents to the SH2-domain containing human proteins. Here, we describe a microarray strategy to validate various affinity reagents, such as recombinant single-chain antibodies, mouse monoclonal antibodies and antigen-purified polyclonal antibodies using a highly multiplexed approach. An SH2-specific antigen microarray was designed and generated, containing more than 6000 spots displayed by 14 identical subarrays each with 406 antigens, where 105 of them represented SH2-domain containing proteins. Approximately 400 different affinity reagents of various types were analysed on these antigen microarrays carrying antigens of different types. The microarrays revealed not only very detailed specificity profiles for all the binders, but also showed that overlapping target sequences of spotted antigens were detected by off-target interactions. The presented study illustrates the feasibility of using antigen microarrays for integrative, high-throughput validation of various types of binders and antigens.     

Preparation of mycoplasma immunogens from plants and a comparison of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies made against primula yellows MLO-associated antigens

A method is described for obtaining from plants partially purified preparations of mycoplasma-like organisms (MLO) which are suitable for use as immunogens for polyclonal or monoclonal antibody production, and as antigens for directly coating ELISA plates. Using this method a mouse monoclonal antibody to primula yellows MLO was prepared, and its characteristics compared with those of primula yellows polyclonal antibodies from rabbits and also against polyclonal antibodies made to similar preparations of European aster yellows MLO. No serological distinction was obtained between any of the homologous or heterologous combinations of antibody and MLO preparation using ELISA, fluorescence microscopy with FITC-labelled antibodies, or immunoprobes of western blots of partially purified MLO preparations. By contrast, there were no cross-reactions between the primula or aster yellows antibodies or MLO preparations and preparations of clover phyllody or tomato big bud MLOs or their respective polyclonal antibodies. The primula yellows MLO monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, and also the European aster yellows MLO polyclonal antibodies, all appeared to recognize only a single major antigen of approximate M, = 22 400 daltons. Some possible explanations for the apparent specificity of the polyclinic antisera for a single antigen, and the relevance to MLO preparation procedures are discussed.     

Antigen retrieval in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues: an enhancement method for immunohistochemical staining based on microwave oven heating of tissue sections.

We describe a new approach for retrieval of antigens from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues and their subsequent staining by immunohistochemical techniques. This method of antigen retrieval is based on microwave heating of tissue sections attached to microscope slides to temperatures up to 100 degrees C in the presence of metal solutions. Among 52 monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies tested by this method, 39 antibodies demonstrated a significant increase in immunostaining, nine antibodies showed no change, and four antibodies showed reduced immunostaining. In particular, excellent immunostaining results were obtained with a monoclonal antibody to vimentin as well as several different keratin antibodies on routine formalin-fixed tissue sections after pre-treatment of the slides with this method. These results showed that after antigen retrieval: (a) enzyme predigestion of tissues could be omitted; (b) incubation times of primary antibodies could be significantly reduced, or dilutions of primary antibodies could be increased; (c) adequate staining could be achieved in long-term formalin-fixed tissues that failed to stain by conventional methods; and (d) certain antibodies which were typically unreactive with formalin-fixed tissues gave excellent staining.     

Use of a monoclonal rat anti-mouse Ig light chain (RAMOL-1) antibody reduces background binding in immunohistochemical and fluorescent antibody analysis

Rat monoclonal antibodies (MAb) directed to mouse Ig heavy and light chain determinants were produced. A rat anti-mouse light chain MAb (RAMOL-1) which bound to all (24/24) mouse Ig of the kappa light chain type and with varying strength to 4/4 lambda light chain-bearing Ig was evaluated as a general secondary reagent, together with two MAb that bound to the heavy chain of mouse IgG. They were conjugated with biotin or FITC and used in immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence assays to detect mouse monoclonal antibodies binding to antigens expressed in rat and human tissues and cells. As compared to commercially available polyclonal reagents, RAMOL-1 gave higher staining contrast by showing lower background staining and equal or higher staining of the primary MAb tested. This was a result of two main effects. First, crossreactivity with endogenous Ig and tissue type-specific determinants was eliminated. With polyclonal anti-mouse Ig reagents, binding to endogenous Ig was noted in vascular spaces and on Ig-bearing cells, and to rat gastric mucosa and epithelial tumor tissue in frozen tissue sections, even when diluted in high concentrations of serum homologous to the tissue. Second, binding of the secondary reagent was reduced to cells and tissues prone to have high nonspecific binding capability, such as monocytes/macrophages and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. Owing to unlimited and reproducible access to this homogeneous reagent, RAMOL-1 is used as second antibody to standardize the procedure used for immunohistochemical grading of human malignant tumors by determination of blood group antigen expression detected with mouse MAb.     

Serologic diagnostics of Legionella infection

Technical approaches to construction of preparations for serologic diagnostics of Legionella infection were presented in the article; antigenic- and immunoglobulin-based diagnostic kits with known characteristics were developed. Immunogenic properties of protein and lypopolysaccharide antigens, which have diagnostic value, were studied; similarity of protein antigens from 7 serogroups of L. pneumophila was demonstrated. Soluble antigen with known composition was obtained and used for the development of antigen-based polymeric kit for diagnostics of Legionella infection. On the basis of hyperimmune sera, immunoglobulin-based polymeric diagnostic kit and array of coagglutinating diagnostic kits for the mentioned 7 serogroups were developed. Antigen-based polymeric diagnostic kit was recommended for licensure.