Clonal and geographic distribution of a surface antigen of Tritrichomonas foetus

Geographically diverse strains and clones of Tritrichomonas foetus have been examined with respect to their expression of a major surface antigen of approximately 150,000 relative molecular weight (Mr), designated the 150 Ag. Radioiodination and 35S-methionine labeling of T. foetus followed by immunoprecipitation with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), separation of polypeptides by SDS-PAGE, and autoradiography or fluorography confirmed the parasite origin of the 150 Ag. The results of flow cytometry analysis employing a panel of MAbs against live T. foetus parasites revealed that from 5 to 84% of individuals in a given population of T. foetus expressed a particular epitope of the 150 Ag. All strains and clones were positive for surface expression of epitopes of this antigen. These results show that the 150 Ag is widely distributed in populations of T. foetus, confirm the surface location of this antigen, and suggest its importance as a target for protective immune responses.     

Clonal and Geographic Distribution of a Surface Antigen of Tritrichomonas foetus1

ABSTRACT. Geographically diverse strains and clones of Tritrichomonas foetus have been examined with respect to their expression of a major surface antigen of approximately 150,000 relative molecular weight (Mr), designated the 150 Ag. Radioiodination and ¹³S-methionine labeling of T. foetus followed by immunoprecipitation with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), separation of polypeptides by SDS-PAGE, and autoradiography or fluorography confirmed the parasite origin of the 150 Ag. The results of flow cytometry analysis employing a panel of MAbs against live T. foetus parasites revealed that from 5 to 84% of individuals in a given population of T. foetus expressed a particular epitope of the 150 Ag. All strains and clones were positive for surface expression of epitopes of this antigen. These results show that the 150 Ag is widely distributed in populations of T. foetus, confirm the surface location of this antigen, and suggest its importance as a target for protective immune responses.     

Anti-idiotypic regulation of an insulin-reactive T cell clone

A series of MHC-restricted, bovine-insulin-(BI) reactive T cell clones were generated. The specificity of one group was shown to be for an insulin A-chain loop determinant; the other group apparently demonstrated specificity of a B-chain determinant and/or amino acid residue A4. Guinea pig anti-idiotypic antisera were prepared against two idiotypically related BI monoclonal antibodies of similar A-chain loop specificity. These reagents were able to modulate the antigen-specific proliferation of an insulin-reactive, A-chain loop-specific T cell clone. Because the monoclonal antibodies and the T cell clone recognize a similar molecular domain of the insulin molecule, these data suggest that the anti-idiotypic sera mimic an insulin-like determinant, perhaps by bearing an "internal image" of the antigen and thereby interfering with T cell antigen recognition. Further, these results suggest that such reagents may be useful in characterization of T cell antigen receptor specificity and lend further credence to the concept of idiotypic-anti-idiotypic regulation of the immune response.     

Antigenic heterogeneity in the 115,000 Mr major surface antigen of Trichomonas vaginalis

The 115,000-molecular-weight antigen of Trichomonas vaginalis was characterized using monoclonal antibodies developed to three different strains of T. vaginalis and one strain of Tritrichomonas foetus. The antigen was found to be present on all strains or isolates of T. vaginalis examined and was demonstrated to be located on the external surface plasma membrane by agglutination assays and complement-mediated lysis assays. Characteristics of the antigen were assessed with a proteolytic enzyme and periodate oxidation. Periodate treatment of whole T. vaginalis abrogated binding for eight antibodies while use of pronase-treated antigen resulted in loss of antibody binding for two different antibodies. Screening of 19 axenized clinical isolates of T. vaginalis and one strain each of T. foetus and Giardia lamblia with type-specific antibodies delineated three major groups of T. vaginalis based on antigenic specificities (epitope distributions) within the 115,000-molecular-weight antigen. In addition, one epitope of the 115,000-molecular-weight antigen was found only on the immunizing strain. Two epitopes were present on all T. vaginalis isolates as well as T. foetus and G. lamblia. One epitope was common to all T. vaginalis except one. A minimum of six different epitopes of the 115,000-molecular-weight antigen were identified. Antigens purified with type-specific or "common" monoclonal antibodies shared the same partial peptide maps demonstrating relatedness.     

Human lymphocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1): identification of multiple antigenic epitopes and their relationship to CTL-mediated cytotoxicity

Human lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1, a heterodimeric lymphocyte surface glycoprotein of 177,000 and 95,000 relative molecular weight has been implicated to function in the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) effector mechanism. Seven mouse hybridoma lines producing monoclonal antibodies (MAb) reactive with this structure were studied. Three unique and 3 partially over-lapping epitopes on human LFA-1 were defined by competitive cross inhibition binding assays using biosynthetically labeled anti-LFA-1 MAb. In contrast, of five rat antimouse LFA-1 MAb, all five recognized a common or shared epitope. An HLA-B7 specific human CTL line expressed 1.1 X 10(5) LFA-1 sites per cell with a direct saturation binding assay. Human CTL expressed two to four times more LFA-1 than peripheral blood lymphocytes or B and T lymphoblastoid cell lines. Titration of each of the anti-LFA-1 MAb in a 51chromium release cytolytic assay revealed quantitative differences in the ability of the different anti-LFA-1 MAb to block cytolysis indicating distinct functional and antigenic epitopes exist on the human LFA-1 molecule. Anti-LFA-1 MAb reversibly inhibited the CTL reaction by slowing the initial rate of cytolysis. These results suggest anti-LFA-1 MAb inhibit CTL function by specific blockade of a functionally relevant molecule.     

Monoclonal antibodies directed against major histocompatibility complex antigens bind to the surface of Treponema pallidum isolated from infected rabbits or humans

Evidence is presented for the association of class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens with the surface of Treponema pallidum during infection. A monoclonal antibody (IgG2a) directed against a murine H-2Kb epitope of public specificity reacted with the cell surface of T. pallidum, as assayed by the binding of protein A-colloidal gold in immunoelectron microscopy. Monoclonal antibodies directed against class I rabbit MHC antigens also reacted in immunofluorescence assays with material on the surface of rabbit-cultivated T. pallidum. In addition, impression smears of human syphilitic genital ulcers that were darkfield-positive for the presence of spirochetes were tested in immunofluorescence assays with monoclonal antibodies directed against human MHC antigens; antibody directed against HLA-ABC (class I) was reactive whereas antibody directed against HLA-DR (class II) was nonreactive. Results of the study suggest that the association of host-derived class I MHC antigens or molecular mimicry may play a role in T. pallidum evasion of host immune defenses.     

Monoclonal antibodies to the collagen binding domain of human plasma fibronectin

Five independent hybrids producing monoclonal antibodies to human plasma fibronectin have been obtained by fusing P3/X63-Ag8 myeloma cells with immune mouse splenocytes. The specificity of these monoclonal antibodies (MABs) for fibronectin was demonstrated by three independent tests: binding to the purified soluble molecule, immunofluorescence staining of insoluble extracellular matrices produced by endothelial cells in vitro, immunostaining of fibronectin tryptic peptides after separation on SDS-PAGE and transfer to nitrocellulose sheets. Two antibodies (MAB 29 and 52) recognized selectively human fibronectin while the others (MAB 5, 30 and 59) reacted also with plasma fibronectin from calf, hamster and chicken. Four distinct epitopes were recognized by the MABs studied. MAB 5, 30, 52 and 59 reacted with distinct antigenic sites, while MAB 29 and 52 bind to the same site. Antigenic fragments were identified by immunostaining of fibronectin tryptic peptides. MAB 5 reacted with a collagen binding fragment with a molecular weight of 120 K. In addition, each of the MAB 29, 30, 52 and 59 reacted with peptides with a molecular weight of 40 K that bind to gelatin. Since these antibodies do not inhibit fibronectin-collagen interaction, it is concluded that their corresponding epitopes are clustered in a region close, but not coincident, to the collagen binding site of fibronectin.     

Development of monoclonal antibodies that recognize antigens associated with human cervical carcinoma

Six monoclonal antibodies, generated by immunization of mice with human cervical carcinoma cells maintained in tissue culture or with cells from fresh tumor tissue, reacted specifically with the malignant cells in 71% to 90% of the tumor tissue imprints and cervical smears containing neoplastic cells but not with normal cervical epithelial cells in smears from 21 to 23 healthy donors. Antibody CE 402 bound to epithelial cells associated with regeneration in 2 of the 23 normal smears tested. Considerable heterogeneity of antibody binding by malignant cells was observed. Antibody CE 400 was the most reactive, binding to more than 50% of the tumor cells in all reactive specimens. Five of these monoclonal antibodies detected protein antigens in the 80 K to 110 K molecular weight range. Our studies demonstrate the feasibility of producing monoclonal antibodies with selected specificity for cervical carcinoma. These antibodies may be of considerable diagnostic value.     

Identification of Tritrichomonas foetus in sections of bovine placental tissue with monoclonal antibodies

Sections of bovine placenta from cases of bovine trichomoniasis were examined for the presence of Tritrichomonas foetus by standard histological methods using phase-contrast microscopy and by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) employing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for T. foetus. Parasites were identified readily in deparaffinized tissue up to 4 yr old by IFA with 2 mAbs previously shown to bind to the surface of living T. foetus. These results indicated that the IFA provided a rapid and specific method of identifying T. foetus in tissue sections as compared to standard histological methods.     

Monoclonal Antibodies Against Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide: Studies of Structure and Related Antigens

Abstract: Hybridomas secreting monoclonal anti-vaso-active intestinal polypeptide (VIP) antibodies were constructed from spleen cells sensitized to VIP in vitro . The secreted antibodies were characterized by binding to VIP in indirect radioimmunoassays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Two monoclonal antibodies, characterized for their binding activities with synthetic fragments of VIP, were found to bind different sites on the VIP molecule. These monoclonal antibodies may recognize tertiary structures of the VIP. A search was conducted for antigens recognized by the monoclonal antibodies in brain: brain proteins separated on polyacrylamide gels were electroblotted onto nitrocellulose filters and were reacted first with the mouse antibody and then with goat anti-mouse imunnoglobulin coupled to horseradish peroxidase as a means of detection. The monoclonal antibodies were found to react with a protein of molecular weight 60,000, which was also recognized by polyclonal antibodies, although the latter reacted with a number of additional proteins. The relationship of the protein of molecular weight 60,000 to VIP is discussed.     

Expression of a T cell receptor-like molecule on normal and malignant murine T cells detected by rat monoclonal antibodies to nonclonotypic determinants

A T cell receptor-like molecule with a dimer structure of 45 kilodaltons (Kd) under reducing and 90 Kd under nonreducing conditions was detected on the surface of two murine T lymphoma lines, EL-4 and MBL-2, by two rat monoclonal antibodies. The two antibodies seemed to react with different determinants on the same molecule. The antibodies did not react with the surface of normal T cells as tested by flow cytometric analysis of cell surface staining. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (IEF vs SDS-PAGE) and tryptic peptide analysis revealed the molecule to consist of two chains with different isoelectric points and different tryptic peptides. A conventional antiserum was raised against the heterodimer purified from EL-4 cells. The immune serum did not bind to the surface of normal T cells. However, the immune serum as well as the monoclonal antibodies immunoprecipitated the dimer molecules from detergent-solubilized normal thymocytes and spleen cells. The dimer molecule was detected on both immature and mature thymocytes. These results suggest that the antibodies detect non-clonotypic determinants on a T cell receptor-like protein. The determinants are masked on the surface of normal T cells, whereas they are exposed on the surface of at least two T lymphoma cell lines. Three polypeptides of 30 Kd, 25 Kd, and 15 Kd were also coprecipitated with the heterodimer from MBL-2 cells. These proteins may associate with the heterodimer and may be masking the antigenic determinants on normal T cells. The relationship between the heterodimer molecule described here and the T cell antigen receptor or the human T cell antigen 9.3 is still unknown.     

Binding of the human retrovirus HTLV-III/LAV/ARV/HIV to the CD4 (T4) molecule: conformation dependence, epitope mapping, antibody inhibition, and potential for idiotypic mimicry

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the retrovirus that causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is cytopathic for CD4+ T cells and binds to these cells via a complex of the 110,000 m.w. viral-envelope glycoprotein, gp110, and the CD4 molecule. We treated virus with several physical, chemical, and enzymic agents to determine their effect on the capacity of HIV to bind to the CD4+ T cell line, CEM. Reduction and alkylation (but not alkylation alone) and trypsin digestion (but not glycolytic enzyme digestions) of HIV destroyed its capacity to bind. If the tertiary protein structure conferred by disulfide bonding is not disrupted, the tertiary and secondary conformations dependent on noncovalent forces appear to be thermodynamically favored, because treatment with denaturants such as sodium dodecyl sulfate, 8 M urea, alcohol, or heat (56 degrees C or 65 degrees C for 30 min) followed by removal of the denaturants did not affect binding. Irreversible denaturation and loss of binding occurred after heating at 100 degrees C for 10 min. HIV binding to CD4+ T cells was inhibited either by murine monoclonal antibodies to the CD4 molecule or by human polyclonal or murine monoclonal antibodies to the gp110 molecule. On the basis of results of binding inhibition obtained with a panel of alpha-CD4 monoclonal antibodies, the receptor site for virus on the CD4 molecule was mapped to the amino-terminal portion of the molecule. Four candidate alpha-CD4 monoclonal antibodies that were potent inhibitors of virus binding (OKT4A, OKT4D, OKT4F, and Leu-3a) were examined for the possibility that their binding sites (idiotopes) might share structural and conformational similarity with the CD4-binding site on gp110. Polyclonal human or rabbit anti-HIV sera (that reacted with gp110 and inhibited virus binding) did not react with or inhibit the binding of these four alpha-CD4 monoclonal antibodies. Conversely, rabbit anti-idiotypic sera raised against each of the four candidate CD4 monoclonal antibodies did not react with virus or inhibit virus binding to CD4+ T cells. Further search or different approaches may yet yield an idiotype that is a structural and conformational "internal image" of the CD4-binding site of virus.     

Monoclonal antibodies demonstrate limited structural homology between myosin isozymes from Acanthamoeba

We used a library of 31 monoclonal and six polyclonal antibodies to compare the structures of the two classes of cytoplasmic myosin isozymes isolated from Acanthamoeba: myosin-I, a 150,000-mol-wt, globular molecule; and myosin-II, a 400,000-mol-wt molecule with two heads and a 90-nm tail. This analysis confirms that myosin-I and -II are unique gene products and provides the first evidence that these isozymes have at least one structurally homologous region functionally important for myosin's role in contractility. Characterization of the 23 myosin-II monoclonal antibody binding sites by antibody staining of one-dimensional peptide maps and solid phase, competitive binding assays demonstrate that they bind to at least 15 unique sites on the myosin-II heavy chain. The antibodies can be grouped into six families, whose members bind close to one another. None of the monoclonal antibodies bind to myosin-II light chains and polyclonal antibodies against myosin-II light or heavy chain bind only to myosin-II light or heavy chains, respectively: no antibody binds both heavy and light chains. Six of eight monoclonal antibodies and one of two polyclonal sera that react with the myosin-I heavy chain also bind to determinants on the myosin-II heavy chain. The cross-reactive monoclonal antibodies bind to the region of myosin-II recognized by the largest family of myosin-II monoclonal antibodies. In the two papers that immediately follow, we show that this family of monoclonal antibodies to myosin-II binds to the myosin-II tail near the junction with the heads and inhibits both the actin-activated ATPase of myosin-II and contraction of gelled cytoplasmic extracts of Acanthamoeba cytoplasm. Further, this structurally homologous region may play a key role in energy transduction by cytoplasmic myosins.     

De novo expression of T cell markers on Theileria parva-transformed lymphoblasts in cattle

We describe monoclonal antibodies that detect two new membrane antigens on bovine T cells. One molecule is only expressed on activated T cells and has a m.w. of 100,000. The other antigen is a glycoprotein that is precipitated as two bands of m.w. 150,000 and 158,000 and is expressed on a subpopulation of T cells and all myeloid cells. We show that when bovine lymphocytes are transformed by the protozoan parasite Theileria parva, both antigens become expressed on the cell surface. The infected cell acquires the phenotype of a proliferating T cell, irrespective of its precursor cell phenotype.     

Toxocara canis: monoclonal antibodies to larval excretory-secretory antigens that bind with genus and species specificity to the cuticular surface of infective larvae

When maintained in culture, the infective-stage larvae of Toxocara canis produce a group of excretory-secretory antigens. Monoclonal antibodies to these antigens have been produced and partially characterized. Hybridomas were made using spleens from mice that had been given 250 embryonated eggs of T. canis followed by immunization with excretory-secretory antigens. Monoclonal antibodies were first screened against excretory-secretory antigens using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Those antibodies positive in this assay were then screened against the surfaces of formalin-fixed, infective-stage larvae using an indirect fluorescent antibody assay. The two monoclonal antibodies showing fluorescence were also tested against the surfaces of infective-stage larvae of Toxocara cati, Baylisascaris procyonis, Toxascaris leonina, Ascaris suum, a Porrocaecum sp., and Dirofilaria immitis. One of these two antibodies bound to the surface of T. canis and T. cati while the other bound only to the surface of T. canis; neither were reactive with the other ascaridoid larvae or the larvae of D. immitis. Enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blotting techniques were used to demonstrate that the cross-reactive antibody recognized antigens with molecular weights of about 200 kDa while the more specific monoclonal antibody recognized antigens with approximate molecular weights of 80 kDa. The specificity of these two antibodies for T. canis and T. cati should prove helpful in the development of more specific assays for the diagnosis of visceral and ocular larva migrans.     

Analysis of triiodothyronine and thyroxine-binding autoantibodies in chickens susceptible to autoimmune thyroiditis

This report reveals a surprisingly high incidence of thyroid hormone (T3 and T4) autoantibodies (THA) and thyroglobulin autoantibodies in a closed flock of untreated Cornell strain (CS) White Leghorn chickens. This flock is closely related to the Obese strain chicken, which develops a severe spontaneous autoimmune thyroiditis. A sensitive electrophoretic autoradiographic assay for THA was developed. This assay was applied to the study of autoantibodies to T3 and T4 in the sera of adult female CS chickens. Of 109 females, 29.4% had antibodies to T3 and 18.4% had antibodies to T4. The incidence of thyroglobulin antibodies, determined by passive hemagglutination, was 15.6%. The presence of THA affected RIA measurements because serum T3 and T4 hormone concentrations appeared elevated in those birds with moderate to high antibody levels. There was major variance in the electrophoretic heterogeneity of the THA from individual chickens; i.e., some of the sera contained antibodies to T3 or T4 that appeared to be monoclonal, whereas other sera exhibited polyclonal multi-banded patterns. To determine if antibodies reactive with T3 and T4 (which are haptens) were generated by antibody responses to the T3/T4 sites on the thyroglobulin molecule, competitive binding assays were performed to determine the relative binding affinities of the antibodies for the haptens (T3/T4) and the "hapten-conjugate" (thyroglobulin). In these assays, thyroglobulin competed with the haptens, thus supporting the above hypothesis.     

The Humoral Immune Response to Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 Envelope Glycoprotein gp46 Is Directed Primarily against Conformational Epitopes

Individuals infected with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) develop a robust immune response to the surface envelope glycoprotein gp46 that is partially protective. The relative contribution of antibodies to conformation-dependent epitopes, including those mediating virus neutralization as part of the humoral immune response, is not well defined. We assess in this report the relationship between defined linear and conformational epitopes and the antibodies elicited to these domains. First, five monoclonal antibodies to linear epitopes within gp46 were evaluated for their ability to abrogate binding of three human monoclonal antibodies that inhibit HTLV-1-mediated syncytia formation and recognize conformational epitopes. Binding of antibodies to conformational epitopes was unaffected by antibodies to linear epitopes throughout the carboxy-terminal half and central domain of HTLV-1 gp46. Second, an enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay was developed and used to measure serum antibodies to native and denatured gp46 from HTLV-1-infected individuals. In sera from infected individuals, reactivity to denatured gp46 had an average of 15% of the reactivity observed to native gp46. Third, serum antibodies from 24 of 25 of HTLV-1-infected individuals inhibited binding of a neutralizing human monoclonal antibody, PRH-7A, to a conformational epitope on gp46 that is common to HTLV-1 and -2. Thus, antibodies to conformational epitopes comprise the majority of the immune response to HTLV-1 gp46, and the epitopes recognized by these antibodies do not appear to involve sequences in previously described immunodominant linear epitopes.     

抗尿激酶单克隆抗体识别相应抗原决定簇的研究

 尿激酶是一种纤溶酶原激活剂,临床上用于治疗血栓。为了有效地用单克隆抗体亲和柱纯化尿激酶,我们对一组抗尿激酶单克隆抗体识别相应抗原决定簇的特性进行了研究。Western Blotting试验表明:S_(13)、S_(26)、N_(14)、N_(30)、N_(17-2)、N_(34)、N_(36)七个单克隆抗体主要抗54000道尔顿的高分子量尿激酶(HUK)。除N_(30)外,其余抗体还同时不同程度地抗33000道尔顿的低分子量尿激酶(LUK)。N_(30)除识别HUK外,还识别分子量为18000道尔顿的多肽链。竞争性结合试验证明:七个单克隆抗体分别抗五个不同的抗原决定簇,但它们都不抗尿激酶的活力中心。     

T lymphocyte adhesion to endothelial cells: mechanisms demonstrated by anti-LFA-1 monoclonal antibodies

Adhesion of lymphocytes to vascular endothelium is the first event in the passage of lymphocytes into a chronic inflammatory reaction. To investigate molecular mechanisms of T-EC adhesion, monoclonal antibodies (Mab) against T cell surface antigens have been tested for inhibition of binding. Baseline and phorbol ester-stimulated adhesion were strongly inhibited by either Mab 60.3 (reactive with the beta-chain of the LFA-1, OKM1, and p150,95 molecules) or by Mab TS 1/22 (specific for the alpha-chain of LFA-1). Although the increased binding of phorbol ester-stimulated lymphocytes was inhibited by anti-LFA-1 antibody, there was no increased expression of LFA-1 on phorbol ester-stimulated T cells, as determined by FACS analysis. Maximal inhibition of unstimulated and phorbol ester-stimulated T-EC adhesion was seen at Mab concentrations of 1 microgram/ml. In contrast, LPS- and IL 1-enhanced T-EC adhesion were only weakly inhibited by these antibodies. Mab 60.3 and TS 1/22 did not stain either unstimulated EC or LPS- or IL 1-stimulated EC, as measured by FACS analysis; moreover, preincubation of EC alone with these antibodies did not lead to inhibition of T-EC binding. Adhesion was not affected by Mab against the sheep erythrocyte receptor (LFA-2), a nonpolymorphic HLA class 1 framework antigen, or against LFA-3, the alpha-chain of OKM1, or the alpha-chain of p150,95. These results suggest that the mechanism of binding of lymphocytes to unstimulated endothelium differs from that to stimulated endothelium. LFA-1 appears to be an important adhesion-related molecule for binding to unstimulated endothelium. However, the increased lymphocyte adhesion to IL 1- or LPS-stimulated EC observed in these experiments appears to be relatively independent of LFA-1. The increased adhesion to stimulated EC could be due either to an increase in the avidity or the density of the EC receptor molecules ordinarily involved in unstimulated T-EC binding or to the formation of alternative receptors on the stimulated EC that are not present on unstimulated cells.     

Expression of CD44 confers a new adhesive phenotype on transfected cells

The function of the CD44 glycoprotein as an adhesion molecule was directly tested by transformation of a CD44 cDNA into mouse fibroblasts. This cDNA was expressed as a heavily modified cell surface protein reactive with monoclonal antibodies that recognize glycoproteins now identified in primates as CD44. Independent transfectants exhibited a new self-adhesive phenotype, forming large aggregates when placed in suspension. In variants derived from a clone of cells, aggregation competence segregated with expression of the transfected gene. This CD44-mediated adhesion was blocked specifically by monoclonal antibodies binding one immunologically defined region of CD44. Nontransfected L cells did not self-aggregate but were capable of adhering to the transfectants, indicating that at least one ligand for this adhesion molecule is expressed by mouse fibroblasts.