The potential protective effect of monoclonal antibodies to gonococcal outer membrane protein IA

Hybrid cell lines were derived which produced monoclonal antibodies directed against gonococcal outer membrane protein IA. One antibody, SM101, recognized 24 P.IA-expressing strains out of 25 tested--the rest exhibited relatively less cross-reactivity. Competitive radioimmunoassays revealed that each antibody could effectively inhibit binding of the others, suggesting close proximity of the epitopes recognized. The antibodies were used in assays in vitro to investigate their potential efficacy in protection against gonococcal infection. In a cytotoxicity assay, the antibodies afforded some protection to epithelial cells challenged with gonococci. They were very effective at bactericidal killing in the presence of complement and, in addition, were opsonic for homologous and heterologous strains. The cross-reacting antibody, SM101, was one of the most effective in both assays. The results show that the conserved epitope on P.IA recognized by antibody SM101 is potentially an effective target on the gonococcal surface for immunoprophylaxis.     

Gonococcal outer-membrane protein PIB: comparative sequence analysis and localization of epitopes which are recognized by type-specific and cross-reacting monoclonal antibodies.

Comparison of the inferred amino acid sequence of outer-membrane protein PIB from gonococcal strain P9 with those from other serovars reveals that sequence variations occur in two discrete regions of the molecule centred on residues 196 (Var1) and 237 (Var2). A series of peptides spanning the amino acid sequence of the protein were synthesized on solid-phase supports and reacted with a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) which recognize either type-specific or conserved antigenic determinants on PIB. Four type-specific mAbs reacted with overlapping peptides in Var1 between residues 192-198. Analysis of the effect of amino acid substitutions revealed that the mAb specificity is generated by differences in the effect of single amino acid changes on mAb binding, so that antigenic differences between strains are revealed by different patterns of reactivity within a panel of antibodies. The variable epitopes in Var1 recognized by the type-specific mAbs lie in a hydrophilic region of the protein exposed on the gonococcal surface, and are accessible to complement-mediated bactericidal lysis. In contrast, the epitope recognized by mAb SM198 is highly conserved but is not exposed in the native protein and the antibody is non-bactericidal. However, the conserved epitope recognized by mAb SM24 is centred on residues 198-199, close to Var1 , and is exposed for bactericidal killing.     

Immunobiology of gonococcal outer membrane protein I

Monoclonal antibodies have been obtained which react with gonococcal outer membrane protein I. One antibody recognised the majority of strains expressing P.IA and another recognised the majority of strains expressing P.IB. In in vitro tests both antibodies were bactericidal in the presence of complement, opsonic for phagocytosis by human PMN and protected epithelial cells against gonococcal invasion. Thus conserved epitopes on P.I. are potentially effective targets for immunoprophylaxis.     

Localization of antibody-binding sites by sequence analysis of cloned pilin genes from Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Immunological analysis of gonococcal pilin (the protein structural subunit of pili) has demonstrated the existence of cross-reacting and type-specific epitopes. The role in adhesion of the domains represented by these epitopes remains unclear. DNA sequencing of a series of pilin-expressing (pilE) genes from a number of otherwise isogenic pilus antigenic variants combined with previous immunological analysis of the corresponding encoded pilins has allowed us to correlate certain predicted amino acid sequences with monoclonal antibody reactivities. The putative epitopes for type-specific antibodies lie predominantly in hydrophilic domains that also contain beta turns. The epitopes for type-specific monoclonal antibodies were shown to depend on amino acid changes either in three separated blocks of amino acid sequence in the semi-variable (SV) region of pilin, or in discrete regions that lie in the disulphide loop in the hypervariable (HV) region of the polypeptide. In contrast, antibody SM1, which reacts with all gonococcal pili, recognizes a poorly immunogenic region of moderate hydrophilicity but low turn potential lying in a conserved portion of the pilin molecule. Our results confirm that antibodies directed against epitopes in both the SV and HV regions are able to inhibit adhesion.     

Outer membrane protein III of Neisseria gonorrhoeae: variations in biological properties of antibodies directed against different epitopes

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been raised to gonococcal outer membranes. A panel of six mAbs was identified by several criteria as reacting with outer membrane protein III (P.III). Competitive radioimmunoassays showed that the mAbs could be grouped into three pairs recognizing different epitopes on P.III. These epitopes are equally present on all pathogenic Neisseria. The mAbs demonstrated differing protective effects in model systems. Those directed against one epitope were particularly effective in protecting Chang conjunctiva epithelial cells against gonococcal challenge. mAbs against this epitope and another promoted complement-mediated bactericidal activity, while those directed against the third epitope were ineffective. Thus the biological effects of mAbs directed against P.III vary according to the epitope recognized.     

Monoclonal antibodies to gonococcal outer membrane protein I: location of a conserved epitope on protein IB

Hybrid cell lines have been derived which produce monoclonal antibodies reacting with outer membrane protein I from Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain P9. The antibodies obtained showed variable reactivity with other strains but one antibody recognized an epitope present on all of the strains tested which expressed the protease sensitive protein IB. Purified IgG labelled with 125I was used in competitive radioimmunoassays with unlabelled antibody to investigate the spacial distribution of the epitopes recognized. Each pair of antibodies showed some degree of inhibition. The relative magnitude of inhibition suggested that the conserved epitope lies within a variable region containing other epitopes which determine the antigenic specificity of the protein. Western blotting of peptides derived by proteolytic digestion of protein IB revealed that the conserved epitope is located close to the chymotrypsin cleavage site within a 7000 Mr surface exposed region of the molecule.     

Identification of epitopes recognized by monoclonal antibodies SM1 and SM2 which react with all pili of Neisseria gonorrhoeae but which differentiate between two structural classes of pili expressed by Neisseria meningitidis and the distribution of their encoding sequences in the genomes of Neisseria spp

The pili expressed by all isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae react with two monoclonal antibodies, SM1 and SM2. In contrast, although many isolates of Neisseria meningitidis also express pili (class I) which react with antibodies SM1 and SM2, a proportion express pili (class II) which fail to react. In order to define the epitopes recognized by these antibodies, a series of overlapping peptides corresponding to the amino acid sequence of conserved regions of gonococcal pili have been synthesized. The minimum epitope recognized by antibody SM1 was found to comprise a linear peptide EYYLN, corresponding to residues 49-53 of mature pilin. In contrast, antibody SM2 reacted with a number of peptides from around the cysteine residue (Cys 1) at position 120, suggesting that an extended region may contribute to a conformational epitope recognized by this antibody in the native protein. The identification of the two epitopes defines structural differences between the classes of pili expressed by meningococci. In order to determine the distribution of pilin gene sequences in Neisseria we used as hybridization probes an oligonucleotide (PS1) with the sequence 5'-GAGTATTACCTGAATCA-3' which spans the coding region for the SM1 epitope, and a fragment of the 3' end of the gonococcal pilE gene which contains conserved sequences flanking the two Cys codons and encodes the SM2 epitope. All strains of N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis tested, regardless of piliation phenotype, harboured DNA sequences homologous to those encoding the carboxy-terminus of meningococcal class I pilin. Furthermore, all gonococci and all meningococci producing class I pili hybridized with oligonucleotide probe PS1. Non-reverting non-piliated derivatives of previously class I pilus-producing strains showed reduced hybridization signals with this probe, but nevertheless retained sequences homologous to the coding sequence for the SM1 epitope. However, meningococci producing class II pili could be divided into two groups on the basis of their reaction with the PS1 probe: half the strains tested failed to react, which is consistent with our previous analysis of silent class I pilin sequences; the remainder reacted (relatively weakly) with the probe, suggesting that the silent pil sequences in these strains extend further towards the 5' end of the pilin gene than in strains studied previously. Some strains of Neisseria lactamica reacted weakly with both types of probe but failed to produce SM1-reactive pili. In contrast, isolates of Neisseria flava, Neisseria pharyngis, Neisseria sicca and a series of unrelated bacteria failed to react with both SM1 antibody and the DNA probes. This confirms that possession of 'gonococcal' pilin sequences is limited to the pathogenic neisseriae.     

Type- and subcomplex-specific neutralizing antibodies against domain III of dengue virus type 2 envelope protein recognize adjacent epitopes

Neutralization of flaviviruses in vivo correlates with the development of an antibody response against the viral envelope (E) protein. Previous studies demonstrated that monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against an epitope on the lateral ridge of domain III (DIII) of the West Nile virus (WNV) E protein strongly protect against infection in animals. Based on X-ray crystallography and sequence analysis, an analogous type-specific neutralizing epitope for individual serotypes of the related flavivirus dengue virus (DENV) was hypothesized. Using yeast surface display of DIII variants, we defined contact residues of a panel of type-specific, subcomplex-specific, and cross-reactive MAbs that recognize DIII of DENV type 2 (DENV-2) and have different neutralizing potentials. Type-specific MAbs with neutralizing activity against DENV-2 localized to a sequence-unique epitope on the lateral ridge of DIII, centered at the FG loop near residues E383 and P384, analogous in position to that observed with WNV-specific strongly neutralizing MAbs. Subcomplex-specific MAbs that bound some but not all DENV serotypes and neutralized DENV-2 infection recognized an adjacent epitope centered on the connecting A strand of DIII at residues K305, K307, and K310. In contrast, several MAbs that had poor neutralizing activity against DENV-2 and cross-reacted with all DENV serotypes and other flaviviruses recognized an epitope with residues in the AB loop of DIII, a conserved region that is predicted to have limited accessibility on the mature virion. Overall, our experiments define adjacent and structurally distinct epitopes on DIII of DENV-2 which elicit type-specific, subcomplex-specific, and cross-reactive antibodies with different neutralizing potentials.     

Nonbactericidal antibodies against Neisseria gonorrhoeae: evaluation of their blocking effect on bactericidal antibodies directed against outer membrane antigens

Nonbactericidal monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against gonococcal surface antigens were examined for their effect on complement-mediated bactericidal killing by other MAbs and normal human serum. One MAb, SM73, directed against the H.8 antigen activated complement only moderately well and had little influence on bactericidal antibodies. Two antibodies directed against an epitope on protein III had very different effects. Antibody SM51 activated complement poorly and had no effect on bactericidal killing, whereas antibody SM50, although itself nonbactericidal, activated complement and blocked the bactericidal effect of other antibodies. The extent of the blocking ability of MAb SM50 was studied using MAbs of different specificities as well as polyclonal antisera raised against gonococcal surface antigens. Antibody SM50 blocked IgG MAbs of all specificities, but several MAbs of the IgM class retained their bactericidal effect. Each of these IgM MAbs reacted with lipopolysaccharide, but with different epitopes.     

Epitopes of group A streptococcal M protein that evoke cross-protective local immune responses.

The present studies were undertaken to identify conserved epitopes of group A streptococcal M proteins that evoke cross-protective mucosal immune responses. Two synthetic peptides copying conserved regions of type 5 M protein, designated SM5(235-264)C and SM5(265-291)C, were covalently linked to carrier molecules and their immunogenicity was tested in laboratory animals. Rabbit antisera against both peptides cross-reacted with multiple serotypes of group A streptococci, indicating that the peptides contained broadly cross-reactive, surface exposed M protein epitopes. Serum antipeptide antibodies adsorbed to the surface of heterologous type 24 streptococci passively protected mice against intranasal challenge infections. Mice that were actively immunized intranasally with each synthetic peptide covalently linked to the B subunit of cholera toxin were protected against colonization and death after intranasal challenge infections with type 24 streptococci in the absence of serum opsonic antibodies. These data confirm and extend previous observations that conserved M protein epitopes evoke cross-protective local immunity and may serve as the basis for broadly cross-protective M protein vaccines.     

Induction of epitope-specific neutralizing antibodies against West Nile virus

Previous studies have established that an epitope on the lateral ridge of domain III (DIII-lr) of West Nile virus (WNV) envelope (E) protein is recognized by strongly neutralizing type-specific antibodies. In contrast, an epitope against the fusion loop in domain II (DII-fl) is recognized by flavivirus cross-reactive antibodies with less neutralizing potential. Using gain- and loss-of-function E proteins and wild-type and variant WNV reporter virus particles, we evaluated the expression pattern and activity of antibodies against the DIII-lr and DII-fl epitopes in mouse and human serum after WNV infection. In mice, immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies to the DIII-lr epitope were detected at low levels at day 6 after infection. However, compared to IgG responses against other epitopes in DI and DII, which were readily detected at day 8, the development of IgG against DIII-lr epitope was delayed and did not appear consistently until day 15. This late time point is notable since almost all death after WNV infection in mice occurs by day 12. Nonetheless, at later time points, DIII-lr antibodies accumulated and comprised a significant fraction of the DIII-specific IgG response. In sera from infected humans, DIII-lr antibodies were detected at low levels and did not correlate with clinical outcome. In contrast, antibodies to the DII-fl were detected in all human serum samples and encompassed a significant percentage of the anti-E protein response. Our experiments suggest that the highly neutralizing DIII-lr IgG antibodies have little significant role in primary infection and that the antibody response of humans may be skewed toward the induction of cross-reactive, less-neutralizing antibodies.     

Antigenic determinants on chicken riboflavin carrier protein. A study with monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies raised against chicken egg white riboflavin carrier protein were classified into seven categories each recognizing a distinct epitope. Of these, six were directed against conformation dependent epitopes and one to a sequential epitope. The roles of lysine residues and the post-translationally attached phosphate and oligosaccharide moieties in the antigenicity of riboflavin carrier protein recognized by the monoclonal antibodies were investigated. The binding region of three monoclonal antibodies could be located within the 87–219 amino acid sequence of the protein and one antibody among these recognized a sequence of 182–204 amino acid residues. All the monoclonal antibodies were able to recognize riboflavin carrier proteins present in the sera of pregnant rats, cows and humans indicating that the epitopes to which they are directed are conserved through evolution from chicken to the human.     

Human and murine antibodies cross-reactive with streptococcal M protein and myosin recognize the sequence GLN-LYS-SER-LYS-GLN in M protein

Molecular mimicry or epitope similarity between group A streptococcal M proteins and myosin may contribute to the presence of heart reactive antibodies in acute rheumatic fever. In our study overlapping synthetic peptides copying the entire sequence of PepM5 protein were used to map the myosin cross-reactive epitopes of streptococcal M protein recognized by mouse and human mAb and affinity purified myosin-specific antibodies from acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease sera. Overlapping M protein peptides SM5(164-197)C and SM5(184-197)C inhibited the murine mAb reactions with PepM5 protein. The human mAb and affinity purified myosin-specific antibodies reacted exclusively with SM5(184-197)C. However, one of the five different purified myosin-specific antibodies not only reacted with SM5(184-197)C but also reacted with SM5(84-116)C. The synthetic subpeptides SM5(175-184)C and SM5(188-197C) did not react with any of the antibodies to PepM5 and myosin demonstrating a requirement of the 184-188 amino acid sequence for antibody recognition. A heptapeptide containing the sequence SM5(183-189) was also found to inhibit selected human myosin-specific antibodies and a human antimyosin mAb. Therefore, the majority of mouse and human myosin crossreactive antibodies recognized an epitope within the 14 residue carboxy terminus of PepM5 which appeared to involve the GLN-LYS-SER-LYS-GLN sequence.     

Location of a blocking epitope on outer-membrane protein III of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by synthetic peptide analysis

A series of overlapping peptides spanning the deduced amino acid sequence of outer-membrane protein PIII of Neisseria gonorrhoeae have been synthesized on solid-phase supports. The peptides were used in an attempt to locate the epitopes recognized by anti-PIII monoclonal antibodies with defined biological properties. Four bactericidal and two nonbactericidal antibodies were reacted with the synthetic peptides. None of the bactericidal antibodies reacted with the linear peptides. However, the two nonbactericidal antibodies were found to react within the disulphide loop thought to be exposed on the bacterial surface. Monoclonal antibody SM51 recognized a decapeptide corresponding to amino acid residues 24-33, while monoclonal antibody SM50 recognized an octapeptide contained within the decapeptide. The difference in the ability of the two antibodies to block the bactericidal effect of antibodies directed against other surface antigens therefore appears to be related to a difference in their ability to activate complement rather than to the location of the epitope recognized.     

The potential protective effect of immunization with outer-membrane protein I from Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Immunization of rabbits with outer membranes (OM) of Neisseria gonorrhoeae produced antibodies directed against outer-membrane proteins PI and PIII. The antibodies directed against PIII reacted equally well on Western blots with all strains tested, but antibodies directed against PI reacted only with the homologous strain. When purified PIB was used for immunization the immune response was quite different: the sera obtained reacted with both homologous and heterologous PIB types and also reacted with strains expressing PIA. Western blotting of peptides produced by sequential cleavage of PIB revealed that the antigenic determinants recognized by anti-OM sera were predominantly located in the central surface-exposed region of PIB, as is the epitope recognized by the protective anti-PIB monoclonal antibody SM24. In contrast antibodies produced by immunization with purified PI reacted with antigenic determinants in the N-terminal portion of PIB. Nevertheless these determinants are accessible to immune attack on the native protein since the anti-PI sera were opsonic and were strongly bactericidal for both PIA- and PIB-expressing strains.     

The V3-directed immune response in natural human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection is predominantly directed against a variable, discontinuous epitope presented by the gp120 V3 domain.

The specific binding of antibodies to the V3 loop in sera from human immunodeficiency type 1 (HIV-1)-infected individuals was investigated. Different V3 structures were analyzed as full-length loops or by pepscan. Our data show that on full-length V3 loops, both variable regions on either side of the tip of the loop (GPGRAF) contribute to a common epitope for type-specific antibodies. Type-specific antibodies bound strongly and at high titers to native V3 loops but negligibly once the loop was denatured. In contrast to the type-specific, discontinuous epitope, the linear, conserved epitopes presented by the full-length V3 loop, the tip, the amino-terminal base, and the carboxy-terminal base were not accessible to serum antibody. When the V3 sequences were analyzed with linear peptides, antibodies bound preferentially to peptides containing the conserved GPGRAF sequence. Thus, two different specificities of V3-directed antibodies were detected in patient sera. Unlike group-specific antibodies directed against GPGRAF peptides, lack of type-specific antibodies directed against the discontinuous epitope was correlated with viral escape from autologous neutralization. Our data suggest that the full-length conformation of the V3 loop is accessible predominantly to highly type-specific antibodies present in sera from HIV-1-infected individuals. These antibodies are directed against discontinuous V3 epitopes, not against conserved linear V3 targets. The implications of these findings for viral escape and blockade of infection with V3-based vaccines are discussed.     

Epitope mapping of snake venom phospholipases A2 with pseudexin monoclonal antibodies

Fifteen different monoclonal antibodies, developed against a pseudexin A, B, and C mixture, were screened for linear epitope recognition. Peptides (9-mers) spanning pseudexin B were synthesized on alanine-derivatized polyethylene pins and subsequently probed with antibody. Four antibodies recognized linear epitopes of pseudexin A, pseudexin B, and also nonidentical sequences found in other phospholipases A₂ (PLA₂s) as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Three antibodies recognized a highly conserved site important in calcium binding and the interlocking of dimeric forms of PLA₂. Antibodies neutralizing lethal or enzymatic effects of PLA₂ did not recognize linear epitopes.     

Epitope mapping of snake venom phospholipases A2 with pseudexin monoclonal antibodies

Fifteen different monoclonal antibodies, developed against a pseudexin A, B, and C mixture, were screened for linear epitope recognition. Peptides (9-mers) spanning pseudexin B were synthesized on alanine-derivatized polyethylene pins and subsequently probed with antibody. Four antibodies recognized linear epitopes of pseudexin A, pseudexin B, and also nonidentical sequences found in other phospholipases A₂ (PLA₂s) as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Three antibodies recognized a highly conserved site important in calcium binding and the interlocking of dimeric forms of PLA₂. Antibodies neutralizing lethal or enzymatic effects of PLA₂ did not recognize linear epitopes.     

Antigenic characterization of Brazilian isolates of Anaplasma marginale

Antigenic characterization of Anaplasma marginale isolates, by identifying conserved and variable epitopes of major surface proteins (MSP), is an important tool for vaccine development against this rickettsia. The B cell epitopes of A. marginale isolates from three microregions of the State of Pernambuco and one from the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, were characterized by indirect fluorescent antibody technique (IFAT) and Western blot (WB) with 15 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). The epitope recognized by MAb ANA22B1 (MSP-1a) was conserved by IFAT and WB (73-81 kDa). MSP-2 epitopes recognized by MAbs ANAO58A2 and ANAO70A2 were conserved by IFAT, while ANAO50A2 and ANA66A2 epitopes were polymorphic; in the WB, the MAbs ANAO50A2 and ANAO70A2 identified bands of 45 kDa only in the Pernambuco-Mata isolate. None of the isolates reacted with MAb ANAR75C2 (MSP-3). The MSP-4 epitope recognized by MAb ANAR76A1 was conserved by IFAT, as well as the MSP-5 epitope recognized by MAb ANAF16C1 by IFAT and WB (16 kDa). The MAbs ANAR17A6, ANAR83B3, ANAR94C1, ANAO24D5 and ANAR19A6 identified conserved epitopes by IFAT. MSP-1, MSP-2 and MSP-4, which previously showed partial protection in experimental trials, are also potential immunogens to be employed in Brazil, due to the B cell epitope conservation.     

The intracellular antibody capture technology (IACT): towards a consensus sequence for intracellular antibodies

We describe the application of an intracellular antibody capture technology (IACT) as a generic in vivo selection procedure for isolating intracellular antibodies or ICAbs. IACT was applied to the de novo selection of functional ICAbs against the microtubule-associated protein TAU, found in neurofibrillary lesions of Alzheimer's disease brains. A panel of 17 different ICAbs was created which bind TAU inside cells and the epitopes recognized by the selected ICAbs have been determined by an in vivo epitope mapping procedure. Finally, sequence analysis showed that the IACT-derived ICAbs are characterized by a common signature of conserved amino acid residues, suggesting that the IACT naturally selects a sort of "captured consensus sequence" for intracellular antibodies. The development of IACT, together with the possibility of scaling up in a high throughput and automated format, makes IACT a new enabling tool for target validation in functional genomics and global proteomics.