Production of monomeric antigen-enzyme conjugate to study requirements for follicular immune complex trapping.

Studies concerning the localization of immune complexes in lymphoid follicles and the involvement of these trapped immune complexes in the regulation of the immune response have thus far been performed with poorly defined complexes in terms of size and composition. For that reason, the minimum requirements for trapping in terms of number of antigen- and antibody molecules present in immune complexes could not be determined. We here describe the production and in vivo use of a monomeric HSA-HRP antigen-enzyme conjugate, readily demonstrable in cryostat sections and ELISA. This conjugate was obtained by combining the glutaraldehyde coupling-method with chromatography to fractionate monomeric and multimeric constituents. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the conjugate consisted of a single molecular species of 109 kDa, whereas the often used periodate oxidation coupling method yielded a heterogeneous population of multimeric, oligomeric and monomeric molecules. We investigated the minimal size requirements for the composition of immune complexes to be trapped in murine spleen follicles using three different conjugates (monomeric HSA-HRP, multimeric HSA-HRP and multimeric HSA-HRP-Penicillin) and a panel of anti-HSA and anti-Penicillin monoclonal antibodies. We demonstrate that the smallest immune complexes, consisting of one antibody and two conjugate molecules, do not localize in splenic follicles. Immune complexes prepared with a single monoclonal antibody localize in follicles only if the epitope recognized occurs repeatedly on the antigen. The relevance of these results for physiological follicular trapping of protein antigens is discussed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Avidin-HRP conjugates in biotin-avidin immunoenzyme cytochemistry

Summary Avidin-HRP conjugates were prepared, analysed and tested for avidin-biotin immunocytochemistry. Suitable biotinylation of enzymes, antigens and antibody was obtained by reacting biotin at equimolar ratio to epsilon aminogroups in proteins. The avidin-biotin interaction was used for immunocytochemical detection of phenomena in the field of immunology, i.e. immune complex trapping, specific antibody forming cells and in serology for the cytochemical detection of human auto-antibodies to basement membrane components. Avidin-HRP conjugation using the two step glutaraldehyde method gave a very small amount of monomeric, low molecular weight conjugate with excellent performance. Avidin-HRP conjugation using the periodate method was modified at two points. The first modification concerns the molar ratio of avidin to HRP in the reaction mixture which was brought to about equimolarity. The second modification concerns the periodate concentration which was decreased five fold, ten fold and twenty fold. Decreasing the periodate concentration decreased the amount of polymeric conjugate. Optimal amounts of monomeric, low molecular weight conjugate were obtained with a ten fold decrease of the periodate concentration. Comparable cytochemical results were obtained with monomeric conjugates obtained using both preparation methods.In honour of Professor P. van Duijn     

Avidin-HRP conjugates in biotin-avidin immunoenzyme cytochemistry

Avidin-HRP conjugates were prepared, analysed and tested for avidin-biotin immunocytochemistry. Suitable biotinylation of enzymes, antigens and antibody was obtained by reacting biotin at equimolar ratio to epsilon aminogroups in proteins. The avidin-biotin interaction was used for immunocytochemical detection of phenomena in the field of immunology, i.e. immune complex trapping, specific antibody forming cells and in serology for the cytochemical detection of human auto-antibodies to basement membrane components. Avidin-HRP conjugation using the two step glutaraldehyde method gave a very small amount of monomeric, low molecular weight conjugate with excellent performance. Avidin-HRP conjugation using the periodate method was modified at two points. The first modification concerns the molar ratio of avidin to HRP in the reaction mixture which was brought to about equimolarity. The second modification concerns the periodate concentration which was decreased five fold, ten fold and twenty fold. Decreasing the periodate concentration decreased the amount of polymeric conjugate. Optimal amounts of monomeric, low molecular weight conjugate were obtained with a ten fold decrease of the periodate concentration. Comparable cytochemical results were obtained with monomeric conjugates obtained using both preparation methods.     

Endocytosis of a monoclonal antibody recognising a cell surface glycoprotein antigen visualised using fluorescent conjugates

The endocytosis of a monoclonal antibody recognising a cell surface glycoprotein antigen has been investigated using several different fluorescent conjugates. These conjugates have been employed for both fluorescence microscopy to show the qualitative changes in distribution of antibody conjugates during endocytosis, and also flow cytofluorimetry to show the quantitative changes in fluorescence intensity associated with this redistribution. Using an antibody directly labelled with fluorescein it was difficult to demonstrate endocytosis due to the inability to distinguish clearly between internal and external fluorescence. However, a fluorescein-HSA-antibody conjugate which was heavily quenched at the cell surface was endocytosed and degraded during incubation at 37 degrees C for 4 h and was then visualised in a perinuclear distribution by the addition of agents to modify intracellular pH. This experiment demonstrated that such conjugates became localised within an acidic internal compartment. A tetramethylrhodamine-HSA-conjugate also demonstrated a similar perinuclear distribution but without the addition of endosomal pH modifiers. When used in conjunction with a fluorescein rabbit anti-HSA second label this conjugate also showed that not all conjugate was endocytosed during a 4-h period; some conjugate remained bound to the cell surface. These experiments suggested that endocytosis in this system differs from receptor-mediated endocytosis via coated pits which is reported to be more rapid and complete.     

Human acetylcholinesterase. Immunochemical studies with monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies were used to investigate the immunochemistry of human erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (acetylcholine acetylhydrolase, EC 3.1.1.7). A series of experiments on the sedimentation velocity and Stokes radius of acetylcholinesterase and its immune complexes indicated that each antibody recognized a single high-affinity binding site (epitope) on the monomeric enzyme. Further analysis suggested that the antibody-binding sites were replicated on multimeric enzyme forms but were subject to steric hindrance between nearby IgG molecules or adjacent enzyme subunits. The cellular localization of the epitopes was studied by measuring the binding of monoclonal antibodies to the cholinesterase of intact erythrocytes. The results implied that most of the epitopes are exposed to the external media. However, one antibody failed to bind to intact cells, despite a relatively high affinity for detergent-solubilized antigen, possibly because its epitope is buried in the lipid bilayer.     

Tandem conjugation of enzyme and antibody on silica nanoparticle for enzyme immunoassay

We present a new type of enzyme-antibody conjugate that simplifies the labeling procedure and increases the sensitivity of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The conjugates were prepared through layer-by-layer immobilization of enzyme and antibody on a silica nanoparticle scaffold. A maximal amount of enzyme was immobilized on the nanoparticle, followed by antibody linkage through Dextran 500. The conjugate could be easily purified from unreacted reagents by simple centrifugations. In comparison with the conventional antibody-enzyme conjugate used in ELISA, which often has one or two enzyme molecules per antibody, the new type of conjugate contained more enzyme molecules per antibody and provided a much higher signal and increased sensitivity. When used in an ELISA detection of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), the detection limit was three times lower than that of the commercially available ELISA kit.     

Ontogenetic aspects of immune-complex trapping in the spleen and popliteal lymph nodes of the rat

Summary An ontogenetic approach was used to obtain information about the relation between structure and function of lymphoid tissues. In particular the development of the capacity to trap immune complexes was studied in relation to the development of the lymphoid compartments. For this purpose isologous horseradish (HRP)-anti-HRP complexes were injected into neonatal rats, and their fate was studied in the spleen and popliteal lymph nodes. Immune-complex trapping occurred as soon as primary follicles could be recognized; without follicles no trapping was observed. Several explanations for this simultaneous development of trapping capacity and follicular structure are discussed.Abbreviations i.v. intravenous(ly) - s.c. subcutaneous(ly) - HRP horseradish peroxidase - MZ marginal zone - PALS periarteriolar lymphocyte sheath     

Synthesis and characterization of gentiobiose heptaacetate conjugate vaccines that produce endotoxin-neutralizing antibodies

We have prepared aminoethyl (AE), aminopropyl (AP), and aminopentyl (APT) derivatives of gentiobiose heptaacetate (GH). These spacer compounds (AEGH, APGH, APTGH) have been coupled to succinylated diphtheria toxoid (Suc.DT) to produce conjugate vaccines. These conjugates all bind to the anti-lipid A human monoclonal antibody A6(H4C5) in an ELISA binding assay. Rabbits immunized with the APGH conjugate vaccine in either Freund's complete adjuvant or aluminum hydroxide gel produced antibody levels of 5120 and 3600 ELISA units, respectively, compared to an antibody level of less than 20 ELISA units for the prebleed sera. Sera from mice immunized with either the aminopropyl or the aminopentyl conjugate had antibody levels of 5120 and 2560 ELISA antibody units, respectively. These antibodies neutralized endotoxin in a Limulus lysate neutralization assay. Protection against the local Shwartzman reaction was demonstrated (p less than 0.05) in eight out of nine rabbits immunized with the Suc-DT-APGH conjugate vaccine compared to three out of 10 rabbits immunized with the carrier protein Suc-DT. Passive transfer experiments demonstrated that four out of five rabbits receiving immune serum were protected from Shwartzman reaction compared to one out of five rabbits receiving normal serum (p less than 0.1). These results indicated that epitopes contained in gentiobiose heptaacetate when properly presented as conjugate vaccines were capable of inducing neutralizing antibodies against endotoxin.     

Dimers and multimers of monoclonal IgG1 exhibit higher in vitro binding affinities to Fcγ receptors

The in vitro binding of monomeric, dimeric and multimeric forms of monoclonal IgG1 molecules, designated mAb1 and mAb2, to the extracellular domains of Fcγ receptors RI, RIIA and RIIIB were investigated using a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based biosensor technique. Stable noncovalent and covalent dimers of mAb1 and mAb2, respectively, were isolated from CHO cell expressed materials. The dissociation constants of monomeric mAb1 and mAb2 were determined to be 1 nM for the FcγRI-binding and 6–12 μM for the FcγRIIA- and FcγRIIIB-binding. Dimeric mAb1 and mAb2 exhibited increased affinities, by 2-3 fold for FcγRI and 200-800 fold for FcγRIIA and FcγRIIIB. Further increases in binding were observed when the antibodies formed large immune complexes with multivalent antigens, but not in a linear relation with size. The binding properties of monomeric mAb2 were identical with and without a bound monovalent antigen, indicating that antigen-binding alone does not induce measurable change in binding of antibodies to Fcγ receptors. Dimerization is sufficient to show enhancement in the receptor binding. Given the wide distribution of the low-affinity Fcγ receptors on immune effector cells, the increased affinities to aggregated IgG may lead to some biological consequences, depending on the subsequent signal transduction events. The SPR-based in vitro binding assay is useful in evaluating Fcγ receptor binding of various species in antibody-based biotherapeutics.     

The ontogenetic development of the follicular dendritic cell

Summary After intravenous injection of horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-anti-HRP complexes in 21-day-old rats, complex trapping occurs on reticulum cells, forming the stroma of primary follicles of spleens. After intravenous injection of the same complexes in young adult rats (48 days old), trapping occurs on characteristic follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) located in well-developed germinal centers. These results strongly suggest that the follicular dendritic cell originates from a reticulum cell.Abbreviations FDC follicular dendritic cell - FRC fibroblastic reticulum cells - HRP horseradish peroxidase - RC reticulum cell     

Activation of mouse macrophages by muramyl dipeptide coupled with an anti-macrophage monoclonal antibody.

A rat IgG2a monoclonal antibody (mAb3A33) directed against the mouse Mac-1 antigen was conjugated with muramyl dipeptide (MDP) by using an intermediate polymer; under such conditions 75 MDP molecules were bound to one antibody molecule. A poly(L-lysine) polymer substituted with muramyl dipeptide and 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionyl residues were prepared, the remaining lysine epsilon-amino groups were acylated with D-gluconolactone, leading to a neutral polymer; then a few polymer conjugates were coupled to mAb3A33 via a disulfide bridge. The binding capacity of the monoclonal antibody was preserved after conjugation with MDP-polymer molecules. Mouse peritoneal macrophages, incubated for 24 h with MDP-mAb3A33 conjugate became cytostatic against P815 mastocytoma cells, whereas unconjugated mAb3A33 and MDP-bound to a nonspecific rat IgG2a were ineffective. An enhancement of the cytostatic activity induced by MDP-mAb3A33 conjugate was obtained in the presence of gamma-IFN. These results show that several tens of MDP molecules can be linked to a macrophage-specific monoclonal antibody by using a neutral intermediate polymer without impairing the binding antibody capacity and that this type of MDP conjugate can efficiently activate macrophages and therefore could be the basis of the development of new antitumor therapy.     

Immunogenicity of self-associated aggregates and chemically cross-linked conjugates of the 42 kDa Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein-1

Self-associated protein aggregates or cross-linked protein conjugates are, in general, more immunogenic than oligomeric or monomeric forms. In particular, the immunogenicity in mice of a recombinant malaria transmission blocking vaccine candidate, the ookinete specific Plasmodium falciparum 25 kDa protein (Pfs25), was increased more than 1000-fold when evaluated as a chemical cross-linked protein-protein conjugate as compared to a formulated monomer. Whether alternative approaches using protein complexes improve the immunogenicity of other recombinant malaria vaccine candidates is worth assessing. In this work, the immunogenicity of the recombinant 42 kDa processed form of the P. falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1(42)) was evaluated as a self-associated, non-covalent aggregate and as a chemical cross-linked protein-protein conjugate to ExoProtein A, which is a recombinant detoxified form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A. MSP1(42) conjugates were prepared and characterized biochemically and biophysically to determine their molar mass in solution and stoichiometry, when relevant. The immunogenicity of the MSP1(42) self-associated aggregates, cross-linked chemical conjugates and monomers were compared in BALB/c mice after adsorption to aluminum hydroxide adjuvant, and in one instance in association with the TLR9 agonist CPG7909 with an aluminum hydroxide formulation. Antibody titers were assessed by ELISA. Unlike observations made for Pfs25, no significant enhancement in MSP1(42) specific antibody titers was observed for any conjugate as compared to the formulated monomer or dimer, except for the addition of the TLR9 agonist CPG7909. Clearly, enhancing the immunogenicity of a recombinant protein vaccine candidate by the formation of protein complexes must be established on an empirical basis.     

Activation of methotrexate-alpha-alanine by carboxypeptidase A-monoclonal antibody conjugate.

Carboxypeptidase A (CP-A) and monoclonal antibody KS1/4 directed against an antigen on human lung adenocarcinoma cells (UCLA-P3) were derivatized by treatment with succinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxylate and N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate, respectively. The derivatized proteins were reacted to produce thioether-linked enzyme-antibody conjugates. Sequential HPLC size-exclusion and DEAE chromatography separated the conjugate preparation from unreacted enzyme and antibody. On the basis of SDS-PAGE analysis and measurement of catalytic activity, the preparation contained approximately equal amounts of 1:1 and 2:1 (enzyme:antibody) conjugates; binding activity of the conjugate (1.8 x 10(5) molecules/cell) was similar to that of unreacted antibody. In vitro cytotoxicity studies with UCLA-P3 cells demonstrated the ability of cell-bound conjugate to convert the prodrug methotrexate-alpha-alanine (MTX-Ala) to methotrexate (MTX). In the absence of conjugate, ID50 values for MTX-Ala and MTX were 8.9 x 10(-6) and 5.2 x 10(-8) M, respectively. ID50 for the prodrug improved to 1.5 x 10(-6) M with cells containing bound conjugate. This potentiation of MTX-Ala cytotoxicity by conjugate-bound CP-A, which was at least 30-fold greater than that produced by a comparable amount of free enzyme, is attributed to enhanced effectiveness of MTX generated at the cell surface as opposed to the surrounding medium. Examination of the time course of cytotoxicity over a 96-h period showed that the conjugate-prodrug combination (at 2.5 x 10(-6) M) was nearly as effective as MTX in preventing cell replication. These results demonstrate the chemotherapeutic potential of carboxypeptidase-monoclonal antibody conjugates used in conjunction with MTX peptide prodrugs.     

Direct visualization of IgM antibodies bound to tissue antigens using a monoclonal anti-type III collagen IgM as a model system

A mouse monoclonal IgM antibody directed against human Type III collagen was utilized to immunolocalize Type III collagen by transmission and scanning electron microscopy without the use of an electron-dense conjugate. Because bound IgM can be directly visualized, primary or secondary antibody conjugates, such as ferritin, HRP, colloidal gold, etc., are unnecessary in this method. Immunolocalization to Type III collagen in the matrix of human skin and to fibrils formed in vitro using only IgM antibody reveals uninterrupted IgM binding which exactly matches the banding period of the collagen fibrils. In contrast, colloidal gold-conjugated secondary antibody complexes directed against primary IgM binding sites reveal less precise labeling. The data suggest that direct visualization of primary monoclonal IgM antibodies may be useful in a wide variety of highly specific ultrastructural immunolocalization studies without requiring the use of electron-dense conjugates.     

Selective killing of target cells by antibody-ricin A chain or antibody-gelonin hybrid molecules: comparison of cytotoxic potency and use in immunoselection procedures

Ricin A chain and gelonin, two plant proteins that can powerfully reduce the protein synthetic capacity of ribosome preparations, were covalently coupled to a monoclonal anti-Thy-1.2 antibody. Two conjugates were prepared by using N-succinimidyl-3-2(-pyridyldithio)propionate, which generates a disulfide linkage between the component molecules. Both conjugates specifically killed Thy-1.2 antigen-bearing EL-4 cells, but had no effect on Thy-1.2- BW5147 cells. The cytotoxic potency of both reagents was determined by comparing the cloning efficiency of E1-4 target cells after treatment with the conjugate. The frequency of cells surviving treatment with 45 micrograms/10(6) cells of the gelonin conjugate was 1/72, whereas this frequency was 1/836 after exposure to 7 micrograms of the Ricin A chain conjugate. Both reagents could be successfully used to select Thy-1.2- cells from cell mixtures consisting of Thy-1.2+ and Thy-1.2- cells.     

Peptide-oligonucleotide conjugates form stable and selective complexes with antibody and DNA

The present work demonstrates that the relatively low molecular weight synthetic peptide-oligonucleotide conjugates are capable of stable and selective three-component complex formation with complementary 72-100mer DNA oligonucleotides and a cardiac troponin I monoclonal antibody. Neither the Watson-Crick-type interaction between peptide-oligonucleotide conjugate and DNA nor the conjugate-antibody interaction dramatically hampers the other. These interactions remain selective and specific in the presence of several other conjugates not specific to cardiac troponin I monoclonal antibody as well as in the presence of control 100mer DNA oligonucleotides. The data herein demonstrate the feasibility of the synthetic peptide-oligonucleotide conjugates as convenient molecular tools, e.g., for antibody epitope mapping.     

Ovarian follicular dynamics in the llama

Ovarian follicular dynamics were determined in adult llamas by ultrasonography and palpation per rectum and hormone analysis (estradiol-17 beta and estrogen conjugates) of plasma and urine. The relationship of gonadotropin secretion to follicular development was determined by the analysis of plasma FSH and LH concentrations. Progesterone analysis of plasma was used to verify or deny the presence of CL. Final follicular development (from 3 mm) averaged 4.8 days, while the duration of the mature follicle (8-12 mm) averaged 5.0 days; regression of the follicle occurred over about 4 days. The development of a subsequent dominant follicle usually began within 2-3 days after onset of regression of the dominant follicle. While several follicles were present at the time of the demise of the dominant follicle, only one follicle continued to develop. The interval between ovarian follicle waves averaged 11.1 days. Dominant follicle activity alternated between ovaries in 81% of the cycles. The occurrence of dominant follicles was evenly distributed between ovaries. While plasma estradiol and estrogen conjugate concentrations were positively associated (p less than 0.05) with follicular activity, urinary estrogen conjugate concentrations best reflected ovarian follicular dynamics (p less than 0.001). Daily FSH concentrations in plasma were not correlated with follicular activity. LH concentrations in plasma were low in all animals throughout the study, indicating estrogen from developing ovarian follicles does not induce the release of LH. Progesterone values were low during the study, indicating that the llama does not spontaneously ovulate, at least under the conditions of this study. In summary, llamas have overlapping ovarian follicle waves that occur at about 11-day intervals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

检测HSA—GLP-1融合蛋白双抗体夹心ELISA方法的建立

目的：为检测血清中HSA-GLP-1融合蛋白整体分子的浓度,建立一种特异、灵敏的定量检测食蟹猴体内HSA-GLP-1融合蛋白浓度的双抗体夹心ELISA的方法。方法：采用双抗体夹心ELISA方法,以GLP-1单克隆抗体为包被抗体、HSA-GLP-1融合蛋白为夹心抗原、anti-HSA-Biotin为检测抗体,用Streptavidin-HRP进行免疫放大,TMB显色。结果：建立了检测HSA-GLP-1融合蛋白的ELISA方法,其线性范围为15.6~1000 ng/mL,最低检测限为15.6 ng/mL,与GLP-1、HSA、IL2-HSA均无交叉反应,板内和板间精密度均小于15%,准确度为±15%,冻融稳定性和稀释稳定性良好。结论：建立的HSA-GLP-1蛋白检测方法符合新生物制品临床前药代动力学研究指导原则要求,可用于HSA-GLP-1融合蛋白在临床前药代动力学试验的定量检测。     

Evaluation of iodovinyl antibody conjugates: comparison with a p-iodobenzoyl conjugate and direct radioiodination

The preparations and conjugations of 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl 5-[125I/131I]iodo-4-pentenoate (7a) and 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl 3,3-dimethyl-5-[125I/131I]iodo-4-pentenoate (7b) to monoclonal antibodies are reported. Reagents 7a and 7b were prepared in high radiochemical yield by iododestannylation of their corresponding 5-tri-n-butylstannyl precursors. Radioiodinated antibody conjugates were prepared by reaction of 7a or 7b with the protein at basic pH. Evaluation of these conjugates by several in vitro procedures demonstrated that the radiolabel was attached to the antibody in a stable manner and that the conjugates maintained immunoreactivity. Comparative dual-isotope biodistribution studies of a monoclonal antibody Fab fragment conjugate of 7a and 7b with the same Fab fragment labeled with N-succinimidyl p-[131I]iodobenzoate (PIB, p-iodobenzoate, 2) or directly radioiodinated have been carried out in tumor-bearing nude mice. Coinjection of the Fab conjugate of 7a with the Fab conjugate of 2 demonstrated that the biodistributions were similar in most organs, except the neck tissue (thyroid-containing) and the stomach, which contained substantially increased levels of the 7a label. Coinjection of the Fab conjugate of 7a with the Fab fragment radioiodinated by using the chloramine-T method demonstrated that the biodistributions were remarkably similar, suggesting roughly equivalent in vivo deiodination of these labeled antibody fragments. Coinjection of the Fab conjugate of 7a with the Fab conjugate of 7b indicated that there was approximately a 2-fold reduction in the amount of in vivo deiodination of the 7b conjugate as compared to the 7a conjugate.     

Monoclonal antibodies against tomato spotted wilt virus: Characterisation and application*

Mouse hybridoma cells, secreting monoclonal antibodies (MCA) against tomato spotted wilt virus, were produced and screened for virus specificity by an indirect triple antibody ELISA, using a rabbit polyclonal antiserum for antigen trapping. A Bulgarian virus isolate from tobacco was used for immunisation of mice and rabbits. One fusion eventually led to 10 stable hybridoma cell lines, all of which produced antibodies of IgG-type though of different subgroups. Since none of the MCAs reacted with TSWV structural proteins after electrophoresis and transfer to nitrocellulose, other methods were chosen to examine their protein specificity. Purified viral cores and detergent-solubilised envelope proteins were used as antigens for ELISA, or, alternatively, glycosylated viral envelope proteins were trapped onto microtitre plates coated with lectins in order to detect MCAs specific for them. Both methods, independently, led to the identification of two MCAs that were specific for envelope proteins of TSWV. Only these two antibodies reacted with intact TSWV particles when examined by immunogold labelling in the electron microscope. The reaction of all MCAs with 11 different TSWV isolates eventually led to the selection of one core- and one envelope-specific antibody for routine use. Core-specific MCAs revealed serological differences between isolates belonging to the common serotype (= lettuce serotype), but did not react with the serotype TSWV-I. When comparing different ELISA procedures, broadest reactivity and highest sensitivity with different isolates were obtained in an indirect test procedure, using goat anti-mouse antibody conjugates.