Control of nonspecific staining in the fluorescent antibody technique for the detection of salmonellae in foods.

A fluorescent antibody conjugate, prepared from the IgG (immunoglobulin G) fraction of Salmonella polyvalent flagellar antiserum, gave better specific staining intensities and significantly lower nonspecific staining than did conjugates prepared from globulin fractions of ammonium sulfate-fractionated Salmonella polyvalent antisera. IgG was purified by affinity chromatography against protein A, a normal cell wall component of Staphylococcus aureus. Affinity chromatography yielded high-purity IgG in a one-step purification procedure. The conjugate prepared from affinity-purified IgG was compared with commercially available fluorescent antibody conjugates for the detection of salmoneallae in retail samplings of meats and poultry and gave better correlations with the cultural method than did the commercial conjugates.     

Peroxidase and fluorescein isothiocyanate as antibody markers. A quantitative comparison of two peroxidase conjugates prepared with glutaraldehyde or periodate anda fluorescein conjugate.

Batches of rabbit anti-human immunoglobulin G antibodies were labeled either with horseradish peroxidase, using the two-step glutaraldehyde method or the periodate method, or with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). The peroxidase conjugates were isolated by chromatography using two different gel types. The five types of conjugates thus obtained were standardized to the same amount of rabbit immunoglobulin G. The antibody activity, as estimated by means of single radial immunodiffusion and passive hemagglutination, and the enzyme activity, determined with orthodianisidine, were compared. The ultimate dilutions and absolute amounts of the five conjugates giving positive reactions were determined in direct and indirect immunohistochemical tests, using both cryostat sections of skin and the agarose bead model system. It appeared that during the peroxidase conjugation procedures there was a considerable loss of abtibody and enzyme activity, whereas in the FITC conjugation procedure the antibody activity remained intact. Neverthe less, peroxidase conjugates prepared with glutaraldehyde still gave positive staining reactions in equal or somewhat higher dilutions than the fluorescin conjugate did. The peroxidase conjugates prepared with periodate could not be diluted to the same extent. For the detection of antibodies by indirect immunohistochemical methods, the peroxidase conjugate, prepared with glutaraldehyde, was comparable to the FITC conjugate. The peroxidase conjugate, prepared with periodate, was less effective.     

Synthesis of site-specific methotrexate-IgG conjugates

Summary With a view to increasing drug incorporation without loss of antibody activity, tritium-labeled methotrexate (MTX) was covalently linked to a polyclonal rabbit IgG antibody against bovine serum albumin and a monoclonal mouse IgG antibody against human renal cancer (Dal K20) by a site-specific method based on hydrazone bond formation between MTX hydrazide and the aldehyde groups generated by periodate oxidation of carbohydrate moieties in IgG (which are uncommon in the antigen-binding region). These conjugates were compared with the corresponding non-site-specific MTX-IgG conjugates produced by the N-hydroxysuccinimide active-ester method with regard to synthesis, stability, retention of antibody activity, inhibition of the target enzyme dihydrofolate reductase and antitumor effect. Incorporation levels achieved with the hydrazide method were no greater than with the active-ester method, typically 6–7 mol MTX/mol IgG. Approximately the same dihydrofolate-reductase-inhibitory capacity was observed for MTX bound by either method. Hydrazide conjugates lost bound drug more rapidly than active-ester conjugates on freezing and thawing, on incubation at 37° C and 51° C, and in the presence of serum or rat liver homogenates. Exposure to rat liver homogenates at 37° C, pH 4.6, for 24 h led to the loss of 50%–60% of the bound drug from hydrazide conjugates compared to 20%–30% from the active ester conjugates. Bio-Gel P-2 chromatography of low-molecular-mass fractions, obtained after exposure of each of the conjugates to liver homogenates, revealed the presence of a compound that had the same elution volume and R _F on thin-layer chromatography as free MTX. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed loss of antibody activity of both types of conjugates at 51° C and on freezing and thawing. In a clonogenic assay, the active-ester conjugate of Dal K20 appeared to be equally effective or slightly better as a tumor inhibitor than the corresponding hydrazide conjugate. The hydrazide method may be useful in linking MTX to those monoclonal antibodies that tend to denature when subjected to the active-ester method of linkage. Abbreviations used: aBSA, rabbit anti-(bovine serum albumin) IgG; EDCI, 3-ethyl-1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide; ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay; IC₅₀, concentration giving 50% inhibition; MTX, methotrexate; MTXAE, N-hydroxy-succinimide-based active ester of MTX; MTXAE-IgG, MTX-IgG conjugate prepared by the active-ester method; MTXH, methotrexate hydrazide; MTXH-IgG, MTX-IgG conjugate prepared by the hydrazide method; PBS, 0.01 M sodium phosphate, pH 7.1, containing 0.145 M sodium chloride; TLC, thin-layer chromatography     

Preparation and Testing of Polyvalent Conjugates for Fluorescent-Antibody Detection of Salmonellae

A polyvalent OH conjugate for Salmonella O groups A through I, K, L, and O was prepared and tested against pure cultures of salmonellae, nonsalmonellae, and a variety of food, fecal, and environmental specimens. Examination of pure cultures revealed that the conjugate gave negligible staining with representative strains of Shigella, Proteus, Providence, Serratia, and Pseudomonas. However, it stained 12% of the Escherichia coli and Citrobacter freundii strains and 36% of the Arizona strains. Over 1,200 specimens of various types were examined by both fluorescent-antibody (FA) and cultural procedures. Results indicate that, when used with discretion, FA screening can be a useful tool for rapid presumptive indication of the presence of salmonellae. The need for careful selection of strains used for preparing antisera and the importance of adequate evaluation of Salmonella FA reagents are discussed.     

Evaluation of Commercial Conjugates for Fluorescent Antibody Detection of Salmonellae

Fluorescent antibody (FA) reagents for Salmonella produced by Difco, Sylvana, and Clinical Sciences, Inc., were evaluated for physicochemical and performance characteristics. The Difco panvalent (A through 064) and the Difco polyvalent (A through S) were similar in physicochemical characteristics. They had less than 60% gamma globulin with 3% albumin and had fluorescein to protein (F/P) ratios of less than 10. The Sylvana conjugate had 81% gamma globulin with less than 1% albumin. Its F/P was 33.9. The Clinical Sciences reagent contained 75% unlabeled albumin as packaged in the Fluoro-kit. Analysis of the original conjugate showed 86.5% gamma globulin with only 0.5% albumin. The (F/P) was 32.8. The performance characteristics were determined by using a variety of Enterobacteriaceae and food and feed samples. All conjugates stained the homologous Salmonella strains. The majority of cross-reactions were limited primarily to the Arizona, Citrobacter, and Escherichia coli groups. The Difco panvalent was more reactive with heterologous organisms. It stained 89% of the Arizona compared with 42% stained by the Difco polyvalent (A through S) and 39% stained by the Sylvana and Clinical Sciences reagents. We found 90% agreement between FA and culture when the Difco polyvalent was used to examine food and feed samples and 94% agreement when the Clinical Sciences Fluoro-kit was used on another group of samples.     

Fluorescent-Antibody Studies with Antisera Against Heated and Unheated Poliovirus Type 1

Fluorescent-antibody (FA) reagents were prepared from sera of guinea pigs immunized with either native infectious poliovirus type 1 or poliovirus type 1 which had been heated at 56 C for 30 min. Conjugates made from sera of animals immunized with heated virus gave higher direct FA staining titers on air-dried, acetone-fixed, infected cells than conjugates made from sera of animals immunized with native infectious virus. Evidence was obtained that complement-fixing antibody reactive with heated antigen was responsible for the FA staining. Two conjugates prepared from sera of guinea pigs immunized with heated poliovirus type 1 were successfully used to identify 21 type 1 viruses isolated from a group of 44 stool suspensions studied as unknowns. These conjugates did not stain any of 23 heterologous enteroviruses present in the remainder of the stools and gave minimal non-specific staining.     

Improved procedure for the conjugation of rabbit IgG and Fab' antibodies with beta-D-galactosidase from Escherichia coli using N,N'-o-phenylenedimaleimide.

The procedures for the conjugation of rabbit IgG and Fab' antibodies with beta-D-galactosidase from Escherichia coli using N,N'-o-phenylenedimaleimide were improved in several respects as compared with the previous methods (Eur. J. Biochem. 62, 285--292, 1976; J. Immunol. 116, 1554--1560, 1976). Maleimide residues were efficiently introduced into antibodies under an atmosphere of nitrogen; the average number of maleimide residues introduced into IgG and Fab' antibodies were 0.78 (0.65--0.86) and 0.86 (0.80--0.95) per molecule, respectively. The conjugation with the enzyme was performed at 4 degrees C at pH 6.5 for 15 or more hours. The conjugates were almost completely separated from unreacted IgG and Fab' by gel filtration. When the recoveries of IgG, Fab', and beta-D-galactosidase in the conjugates were 23-29, 35-44, and 99%, respectively, the average numbers of IgG and Fab' molecules conjugated with the enzyme were 1.5-1.7 and 2.1-2.8 per molecule, respectively. There was no significant impairment of beta-D-galactosidase activity or the activity of anti-human IgG antibody to bind to human IgG upon conjugation. However, the conjugate preparation was heterogeneous, and one-third of each preparation consisted of aggregated conjugates less useful in sandwich enzymoimmunoassay than the remaining material. The conjugate with Fab' antibody gave lower control values in sandwich enzymoimmunoassay with silicone rubber as a solid phase than that with IgG antibody.     

Comparison of three types of reagents for detection of Bacteroides fragilis by direct immunofluorescence

Three different methods were used to prepare conjugates for the detection of rods of the Bacteroides fragilis group by direct immunofluorescence. Lyophilized conjugates were prepared. Three sets (five in each) of monovalent conjugates against serotype strains of B. fragilis (including conjugate E/E1 + E2) and polyvalent conjugate (A + B + C + D + E1 + E2) were obtained. Each conjugate was prepared in two variants: 1. unabsorbed, 2. absorbed with tissue powder prior to lyophilization. Conjugates obtained by precipitation of sera with 50% ethanol and direct coupling of gammaglobulins with stain were found to meet the requirement for good fluorescence reagents and are well suited for the detection of B. fragilis by direct immunofluorescence. Absorption of the conjugates with tissue powder before lyophilization did not affect their quality.     

A trinitrophenyl(TNP)-poly-L-lysine-horseradish peroxidase conjugate for the detection of anti-TNP antibodies in vivo

A new conjugate for the detection of anti-trinitrophenyl(TNP) antibodies was developed to study the localization pattern of specific antibody containing cells and extracellular antibody in vivo. By means of a bridging molecule, poly-L-lysine, nine TNP groups and six horseradish peroxidase (HRP) groups were joined in one conjugate. Thus a higher specificity (more hapten) was united with a higher staining intensity (more enzyme) in the same conjugate. This conjugate made possible the simultaneous detection of anti-TNP antibody containing cells and establishment of their class (immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG). It was also used for the demonstration of anti-TNP antibodies in tissues where a TNP-alkaline phosphate (AP) conjugate could not be used due to high AP (endogenous) background staining. Thus we demonstrated anti-TNP antibody containing cells in gut associated lymphoid tissue and anti-TNP-(TNP-ovalbumin) immune complexes in the glomeruli of the kidney. We suggest that poly-L-lysine is a suitable bridging molecule for the preparation of hapten-HRP conjugates.     

Impact of linker and conjugation chemistry on antigen binding,Fc receptor binding and thermal stability of model antibody-drug conjugates

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) with biotin as a model cargo tethered to IgG1 mAbs via different linkers and conjugation methods were prepared and tested for thermostability and ability to bind target antigen and Fc receptor. Most conjugates demonstrated decreased thermostability relative to unconjugated antibody, based on DSC, with carbohydrate and amine coupled ADCs showing the least effect compared with thiol coupled conjugates. A strong correlation between biotin-load and loss of stability is observed with thiol conjugation to one IgG scaffold, but the stability of a second IgG scaffold is relatively insensitive to biotin load. The same correlation for amine coupling was less significant. Binding of antibody to antigen and Fc receptor was investigated using surface plasmon resonance. None of the conjugates exhibited altered antigen affinity. Fc receptor FcγIIb (CD32b) interactions were investigated using captured antibody conjugate. Protein G and Protein A, known inhibitors of Fc receptor (FcR) binding to IgG, were also used to extend the analysis of the impact of conjugation on Fc receptor binding. H10_NPEG4 was the only conjugate to show significant negative impact to FcR binding, which is likely due to higher biotin-load compared with the other ADCs. The ADC aHIS_NLC and aHIS_TPEG8 demonstrated some loss in affinity for FcR, but to much lower extent. The general insensitivity of target binding and effector function of the IgG1 platform to conjugation highlight their utility. The observed changes in thermostability require consideration for the choice of conjugation chemistry, depending on the system being pursued and particular application of the conjugate.     

Direct and indirect fluorescent antibody staining ofOphiobolus graminis Sacc. in culture and in the rhizosphere of cereal plants

Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) conjugates were prepared to whole-cell and cell-wall fractions of four cultures ofOphiobolus graminis W1, W2, O1 and O₂. Homologous and heterologous direct and indirect FA staining of the four cultures ofO. graminis gave positive staining in all reactions. This indicated that the four cultures could not be differentiated by fluorescent antibody (FA) staining. Species specificity of the conjugates was shown by the staining ofO. graminis hyphae in the rhizosphere of wheat and oat roots. Plant tissues were not stained. Furthermore out of 52 rhizosphere isolates stained with whole-cell and cell-wall conjugates of the four cultures ofO. graminis, only 7 cross-reacted with the whole-cell conjugates whereas none cross-reacted with the cell-wall conjugates.These results indicate the potentiality of the FA staining technique as a serological tool in localizing, and identifyingO. graminis amongst mixed fungal populations in the rhizosphere of roots.     

Characterization of Bacteroides gingivalis by direct fluorescent antibody staining and cellular fatty acid profiles

Bacteroides gingivalis is a newly proposed species which includes strains isolated from the mouth. Thirteen strains of B. gingivalis isolated from three geographic locations in the United States and France were examined with direct fluorescent antibody staining and analysis of total cellular fatty acids and compared with 16 strains of B. asaccharolyticus of nonoral origin by the same methods. Bacteroides gingivalis strains reacted with the B. gingivalis conjugate (fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled antibody reagent) only, while the B, asaccharolyticus strains reacted with the B. asaccharolyticus conjugate only. The B. gingivalis strains showed negative fluorescence with fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugates for other black-pigmented Bacteroides species. The specificity of the B. gingivalis conjugate was demonstrated by its failure to stain 88 strains of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria other than B. gingivalis. The fatty acid profiles of B. gingivalis and B. asaccharolyticus were readily distinguishable. The B. gingivalis profile was also distinguishable from those of other pigmenting Bacteroides species on the basis of concentration ratios among the characteristic components. These results support the species separation of B. gingivalis and B. asaccharolyticus. Further, they indicate the usefulness of cellular fatty acid profiles as an adjunct to the use of specific fluorescent antibody conjugates for identification of Bacteroides species.     

Nonionic block polymer surfactants enhance the avidity of antibodies in polyclonal antisera against Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 in normal and Xid mice

Avidities of antibody (sub)classes in polyclonal antisera against Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 (S3) can be (semi) quantitatively determined with a specific inhibition ELISA. A hexasaccharide was isolated from the hydrolyzed S3 capsular polysaccharide and coupled to a protein-carrier. Mixtures containing these conjugates and nonionic block polymer (NBP) surfactants were used for immunization. After various immunizations of these conjugates without NBP the anti-S3 specific antibodies of IgM and IgG2a isotype decreased in both antibody level and avidity. The adjuvants NBP 1501 and L121 not only enhanced the hexasaccharide-protein induced IgM and IgG antibody levels but also clearly increased the avidity of the two antibody (sub)classes IgM and IgG2a. This effect was observed in normal (data not shown) and X-linked immunodefective mice. A maturation of the IgG antibody response was realized by the second immunization with hexasaccharide-protein conjugate whereas the third immunization showed no further increase in antibody level and avidity.     

Determination and Analysis of Actinomyces israelii Serotypes by Fluorescent-Antibody Procedures

This study was undertaken to determine the antigenic relationships between serotypes of Actinomyces israelii with fluorescent-antibody (FA) procedures. In addition, the antigenic relationships between A. israelii and other members of the genus Actinomyces were studied by the same methods. Seven FA conjugates were used to determine the serological characteristics of 28 isolates believed to represent A. israelii, serotypes 1 and 2. The results showed that the lower dilutions of serotype 1 conjugates stained serotype 2 antigens; however, serotype 2 conjugates did not stain serotype 1 antigens. Serotype 1 conjugate could be made specific by adsorption. A. israelii serotype 1 conjugate cross-reacted also with A. naeslundii, but this cross-reaction could be eliminated by adsorption or dilution. Serotype 2 conjugate appeared to be specific for A. israelii serotype 2. Adsorption studies revealed antigenic variants among the various A. israelii serotype 1 and 2 isolates. However, all isolates could be identified by direct FA staining with appropriate conjugates. One isolate previously identified as A. israelii was shown, on the basis of FA studies, to be an A. naeslundii. A polyvalent diagnostic reagent was prepared which was specific for A. israelii serotypes 1 and 2. This reagent should find application in diagnostic and reference laboratories.     

A calicheamicin conjugate with a fully humanized anti-MUC1 antibody shows potent antitumor effects in breast and ovarian tumor xenografts

Murine CTM01 is an internalizing murine IgG(1) monoclonal antibody that recognizes the MUC1 antigen expressed on many solid tumors of epithelial origin. Calicheamicin conjugates of this antibody have previously been shown to be potent, selective antitumor agents in preclinical models. A conjugate has now been made with a genetically engineered human version of this antibody, hCTM01. The hCTM01 is an IgG(4) isotype, has an immunoaffinity approximately 30% higher than mCTM01 by competitive RIA, and is efficiently internalized into target cells. The hCTM01-NAc-gamma calicheamicin DM amide conjugate, referred to as CMB-401, shows targeted killing of MUC1-expressing cells in vitro and produces pronounced dose-related antitumor effects over an 8-fold dose range against a MUC1-expressing, ovarian xenograft tumor, OvCar-3. The specificity of CMB-401 was confirmed by comparing its antitumor effects with those of an isotype-matched nonspecific conjugate against the MX-1 breast carcinoma. CMB-401, given either ip or iv, was highly active in these models in single and multiple dose regimens and gave complete regressions at the highest doses examined with good overall therapeutic ratios. CMB-401 also gave good antitumor effects at similar doses with a cisplatin-resistant MUC1-expressing cell line.     

A sulfhydryl-reactive ruthenium (II) complex and its conjugation to protein G as a universal reagent for fluorescent immunoassays

To develop a fluorescent ruthenium complex for biosensing, we synthesized a novel sulfhydryl-reactive compound, 4-bromophenanthroline bis-2,2'-dipyridine Ruthenium bis (hexafluorophosphate). The synthesized Ru(II) complex was crosslinked with thiol-modified protein G to form a universal reagent for fluorescent immunoassays. The resulting Ru(II)-protein G conjugates were identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The emission peak wavelength of the Ru(II)-protein G conjugate was 602 nm at the excitation of 452 nm which is similar to the spectra of the Ru(II) complex, indicating that Ru(II)-protein G conjugates still remain the same fluorescence after conjugation. To test the usefulness of the conjugate for biosensing, immunoglobulin G (IgG) binding assay was conducted. The result showed that Ru(II)-protein G conjugates were capable of binding IgG and the more cross-linkers to modify protein G, the higher conjugation efficiency. To demonstrate the feasibility of Ru(II)-protein G conjugates for fluorescent immunoassays, the detection of recombinant histidine-tagged protein using the conjugates and anti-histidine antibody was developed. The results showed that the histidine-tagged protein was successfully detected with dose-response, indicating that Ru(II)-protein G conjugate is a useful universal fluorescent reagent for quantitative immunoassays.     

Impact of linker and conjugation chemistry on antigen binding,Fc receptor binding and thermal stability of model antibody-drug conjugates

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) with biotin as a model cargo tethered to IgG1 mAbs via different linkers and conjugation methods were prepared and tested for thermostability and ability to bind target antigen and Fc receptor. Most conjugates demonstrated decreased thermostability relative to unconjugated antibody, based on DSC, with carbohydrate and amine coupled ADCs showing the least effect compared with thiol coupled conjugates. A strong correlation between biotin-load and loss of stability is observed with thiol conjugation to one IgG scaffold, but the stability of a second IgG scaffold is relatively insensitive to biotin load. The same correlation for amine coupling was less significant. Binding of antibody to antigen and Fc receptor was investigated using surface plasmon resonance. None of the conjugates exhibited altered antigen affinity. Fc receptor FcγIIb (CD32b) interactions were investigated using captured antibody conjugate. Protein G and Protein A, known inhibitors of Fc receptor (FcR) binding to IgG, were also used to extend the analysis of the impact of conjugation on Fc receptor binding. H10_NPEG4 was the only conjugate to show significant negative impact to FcR binding, which is likely due to higher biotin-load compared with the other ADCs. The ADC aHIS_NLC and aHIS_TPEG8 demonstrated some loss in affinity for FcR, but to much lower extent. The general insensitivity of target binding and effector function of the IgG1 platform to conjugation highlight their utility. The observed changes in thermostability require consideration for the choice of conjugation chemistry, depending on the system being pursued and particular application of the conjugate.     

Antibody-enhanced hydrolysis of steroid esters

Testosterone-1α-carboxyethyl thioether was conjugated through an ester bond with the fluorescent compound umbelliferone. Testosterone-1α-carboxyethyl thioether umbelliferone conjugate was devoid of fluorescence, but yielded a fluorescent product upon incubation with hog liver esterase or with the IgG fraction of a rabbit antiserum that binds 5α-dihydrotestosterone and testosterone with similar affinity (anti-dihydrotestosterone IgG). The fluorescent compound was obtained in solution after adsorbing the ester to anti-dihydrotestosterone IgG immobilized on agarose, indicating that the appearance of fluorescence was due to hydrolysis and not to formation of a stable ester antibody complex. The antibody-enhanced hydrolysis was pH and temperature dependent and was specific with respect to the nature of the steroid and the site of steroid-umbelliferone conjugation: normal rabbit IgG and IgG directed against heterologous steroids (e.g., cortisol or progesterone) were without effect, and anti-dihydrotestosterone IgG failed to promote the hydrolysis of testosterone-7-umbelliferone or of cortisol-21-umbelliferone esters. Moreover, the hydrolysis of testosterone-1α-carboxyethyl thioether umbelliferone conjugate by anti-dihydrotestosterone IgG was inhibited by the homologous hapten but not by unrelated steroids. Hydrolysis of steroid-umbelliferone conjugates was also promoted in a nonspecific manner by nucleophilic substances such as imidazole, tyrosine or cysteine, suggesting that the antibody effect may be due to the presence of nucleophilic residues at, or near, the combining site. The results indicate that antibody can have enzyme-like properties, but the turnover is low due to slow dissociation of the reaction product from the antibody. The quasi-esterase activity of anti-steroidal antibodies can be utilized for the development of an immunoassay for these hormones.     

Polyvalent side chain peptide-synthetic polymer conjugates as HIV-1 entry inhibitors

This report describes the synthesis and properties of a series of polyvalent side chain peptide-synthetic polymer conjugates designed to block the CD4 binding site on gp120 and inhibit HIV-1 entry into a host cell. The peptide sequences in the conjugates are based on the CDR H3 region of the neutralizing anti-HIV-1 antibody IgG1 b12. Using a consecutive ester-amide/thiol-ene postpolymerization modification strategy, a library of polymer conjugates was prepared. Evaluation of the HIV-1 inhibitory properties revealed that midsized polymer conjugates displayed the highest antiviral activity, while shorter and longer conjugates proved to be less efficacious inhibitors. The lower molecular weight conjugates may not have sufficient length to span the distance between two neighboring gp120 containing spikes, while the higher molecular weight conjugates may be compromised due to a higher entropic penalty that would accompany their binding to the viral envelope. Although the IC(50) values for these polymer conjugates are higher than that of the parent IgG1 b12 antibody, the strategy presented here may represent an interesting antiviral approach due to the attractive properties of such polymer therapeutics (relatively inexpensive production and purification costs, high thermal and chemical stability in storage conditions, long half-life in biological tissues, low immunogenicity, and protection from proteolytic degradation).     

生物法合成伤寒O-糖蛋白结合疫苗及其免疫原性评估

伤寒由伤寒沙门氏菌(Salmonella Typhi)引发,至今在发展中国家仍是备受关注的重要公共卫生问题。文章通过敲除伤寒菌脂多糖合成途径中O-抗原连接酶基因,转入含脑膜炎奈瑟球菌(Neisseria meningitidis)蛋白糖基化途径中糖基转移酶的表达载体,以及改构的重组铜绿假单胞菌(Pseudomonas Aeruginosa)外毒素A(rEPA_N29)的表达载体,使细胞内能够诱导合成以伤寒O特异性多糖(O-specific polysaccharides, OPS)为目标抗原、以rEPA_N29为载体蛋白的伤寒OPS-rEPA_N29糖蛋白复合物,并对纯化所得复合物进行了免疫原性评价。ELISA测定血清抗体滴度表明,rEPA_N29作为载体蛋白能有效增加糖链的免疫原性,糖蛋白比单独的多糖能诱导产生更好的免疫应答;3次免疫、间隔3周比间隔2周IgG滴度稍有提高;而免疫过量的糖蛋白,抗O-多糖的血清抗体效价并无提升。文章为生物法制备多糖-蛋白结合疫苗提供了新思路,理论上也适用于其他革兰氏阴性菌的疫苗研发。