The protective effects of monoclonal antibodies in mice from Naegleria fowleri infection]

Protective effects of monoclonal antibodies against N. fowleri were comparatively studied. BALB/c mice were treated with two types of monoclonal antibodies, Nf 2 and Nf 154, before and after the infection with N. fowleri. The mortality and mean survival times were then compared. Also, direct effect of the monoclonal antibodies on the N. fowleri trophozoites in vitro were observed. In vitro protective effects of the monoclonal antibodies were also studied in cells infected with N. fowleri. The observed results are summarized as follows: 1. Among mice pretreated twice before the infection with monoclonal antibody Nf 2(McAb Nf 2), only 15.8% were killed, and the mean survival time was 17.7 days. This was not much different from the mice pretreated once, as the mortality and mean survival time were 16.7% and 17 days. Those effects were compatible with monoclonal antibody Nf 154(McAb Nf 154). The above findings contrast with the mortality and mean survival time of the control mice, which were 22.7% and 14.6 days respectively. 2. Mice which received twice the McAb Nf 2 following N. fowleri infection incurred a 19.4% mortality rate with 13.6 days survival time; 17.9% and 15.8 days with on time administration, in contrast to the 25% and 14.6 days in the control group. 3. Marked agglutination effect of McAb Nf 2 or McAb Nf 154 were observed on N. fowleri trophozoites. 4. When N. fowleri trophozoites were treated with McAb Nf 2 or McAb Nf 154 combined with comments, the proliferation rate was more significantly suppressed than in that the control. 5. N. fowleri trophozoites treated with McAb Nf 2 or McAb Nf 154 showed an increased number of swollen mitochondria, disfigured cisternae, lipid droplets, and osmiophilic granules in the cytoplasm. 6. A remarkable protective effect of monoclonal antibodies was noticed in CHO cells infected with N. fowleri. More than 90.6% of the infected CHO cells survived, contrasted with 27% of untreated cells. The overall results in this study suggest that N. fowleri treated with monoclonal antibodies against N. fowleri reduce the mortality and prolong the survival time of the mice when the antibodies are administered before the infection. The protective effect of the monoclonal antibodies is surmised being caused by agglutination of the trophozoites.     

Resistance to Naegleria fowleri infection passively acquired from immunized splenocyte, serum or milk

A pathogenic free-living amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis to human and experimental animals. This infection is rare, but the mortality is very high. Nowadays, drug treatment or active immunization of human or mice are being tried with partial effectiveness. This study shows passive immunization effect by transfer of immunized spleen cells, serum, or milk from immunized mother in mouse experimental model. Young BALB/c mice were immunized intraperitoneally with 2-3 X 10(6) trophozoites of N. fowleri, and spleen cells and sera were collected for injection to recipient mice. There were seven transfer groups, i.e., immunized mouse serum, spleen cells, serum and spleen cells, normal mouse serum, spleen cells, serum and spleen cells, and control group. Three days later, BALB/c mice were inoculated with 1 x 10(4) trophozoites of N. fowleri intranasally. After infection, decreased mortality and prolonged survival time of mice were noted in immunized groups compared with non-immunized control group. The groups injected with immunized spleen cells or normal serum showed lower mortality than that of controls but showed no changes of serum IgG level. The groups injected with immunized serum or normal spleen cells showed increased serum IgG level after immunization but hundred percent mortality was observed. Mother mice were immunized intraperitoneally with 2-3 X 10(6) trophozoites of N. fowleri at the end of pregnancy and weaning period. Soon after the delivery, litters born of non-immunized mother were matched with immunized mother for feeding immune milk. After three weeks, the litters were infected with 1 X 10(4) trophozoites of N. fowleri or sacrificed for serum collection to measure the IgG levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A comparative study of the membrane proteins from Naegleria species: A 23-kDa protein participates in the virulence of Naegleria fowleri

The plasma membrane is essential in the pathogenicity of several microorganisms. However, to date, there are few studies related to the plasma membrane proteins in Naegleria fowleri; this amoeba produces a fatal disease called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. In the present study, we analyzed the electrophoretic pattern of the membrane proteins of N. fowleri and compared it with the nonpathogenic N. lovaniensis and N. gruberi. We detected a 23-kDa protein (Nf23) present at a higher level in N. fowleri than in the nonpathogenic amoebae. The mass spectrometry analysis showed that the Nf23 protein has a sequence of 229 amino acids that corresponds to a membrane protein. The mRNA level of nf23 was overexpressed 4-fold and 40,000-fold in N. fowleri compared with N. lovaniensis and N. gruberi, respectively. Moreover, we found a 5-fold overexpression of nf23 in N. fowleri trophozoites recovered from mouse brains compared with trophozoites axenically cultivated. In addition, the cytopathic effect on Madin-Darby Canine Kidney cells coincubated with N. fowleri diminished in the presence of antibodies against Nf23; nevertheless, the nonpathogenic amoebae did not produce damage to the monolayer cells. These results suggest that the plasma membrane protein Nf23 is probably involved in the virulence of N. fowleri.     

Studies on the cell-mediated immunity in experimental Naegleria spp. infections

Observations were made on the differences in cell-mediated immune responses in the mice infected with strongly pathogenic Naegleria fowleri ITMAP 359, weakly pathogenic Naegleria jadini 0400, or non-pathogenic Naegleria gruberi EGB, respectively. Variations in cell-mediated responses and changes in antibody titers according to the duration after infection were noted. Infections were done by dropping 5 microliters saline suspension containing 10 x 10(4) trophozoites cultured axenically in the CGVS medium into the right nasal cavity of ICR mice aging about 6-7 weeks, under the anesthesia by intraperitoneal injection of secobarbital. Following infection, delayed type hypersensitivity(DTH) responses in the footpad and blastogenic responses of the mouse spleen cells using [3H]-thymidine were observed on the day 1, 4, 7, 10 and 14 after infection. For the preparation of amoeba lysates, each of cultured trophozoites were homogenized with an ultrasonicator, and centrifugated at 20,000 g. The supernatants of amoeba lysates were used as the mitogen and antigen for ELISA. Concanavalin A(Con. A) and lipopolysaccharide(LPS) were also used as mitogens in the blastogenic response. 1. The mice infected with N. fowleri showed the mortality rate of 75.7%. The rate was 6.2% for the N. jadini infected group, while no dead mouse was observed for N. gruberi infections. 2. In regard to DTH responses in the N. fowleri infected mice, the level increased in comparison to the control group but declined after 7 days. An increase was also noted for the N. jadini group after 1 day, but gradual decreases were observed through the infection period. In addition, no difference was noted between the N. gruberi infected and control groups. 3. Concerning the blastogenic response of the splenocytes, it increased after 10 days in the experimental group of N. fowleri infection, but the differences were not statistically significant compared with control group. It was evident that N. jadini group was not different from control group either, while there was a tendency of decrease in N. gruberi infected group. In regard to the blastogenic response of the splenocytes by LPS, it was found that the N. fowleri, N. jadini and N. gruberi infected groups had no differences from the control group. 4. The serum antibody titer of N. fowleri and N. jadini infected mice increased from the day 7 and 14 after infection respectively, while the N. gruberi infected mice showed no increase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Evaluation of the Indirect Fluorescent-Antibody Technique for Identification of Naegleria Species

The indirect fluorescent-antibody technique was used to assess a rapid method for identification of amoebae belonging to the genus Naegleria. Thirty-eight Naegleria and eight other limax amoeba strains were examined by using one N. gruberi and two N. fowleri antisera. All pathogenic Naegleriae, most of which originated from fatal cases of primary amoebic meningo-encephalitis, were identified as belonging to the fowleri species. Most of the N. gruberi strains showed irregular fluorescence. Other limax amoebae, such as Vahlkampfia, Acanthamoeba, Hartmannella, and Schizopyrenus sp. gave negative responses with the prepared antisera. The indirect fluorescent-antibody technique allows the identification of N. fowleri in a mixed culture of both N. fowleri and N. gruberi strains. Twenty-two Naegleria isolated from a suspected stream, other surface waters, and muddy soil could be excluded from the fowleri species with the indirect fluorescent-antibody technique. The results obtained demonstrate that this immunological technique is a valid method for the rapid identification of N. fowleri trophozoites.     

Interaction of secretory immunoglobulin A antibodies with Naegleria fowleri trophozoites and collagen type I

In this work, we analyzed the in vitro interaction of human secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) antibodies with Naegleria fowleri trophozoites and the capacity of these antibodies to inhibit amoeba adherence to collagen type I. We also studied N. fowleri antigens that are recognized by sIgA, using immunoblot assays. Immunocytochemical analysis of the interaction showed a redistribution of antigens on the surface of trophozoites by sIgA antibodies. Ultrastructural analysis of antibody-amoeba interaction showed that besides the patching and cap formation, parasites were capable of eliminating the antigen-antibody complex produced on the surface. sIgA antibodies were capable of inhibiting the in vitro adhesion of trophozoites to collagen type I. We suggest that nonsymptomatic infections by N. fowleri may stimulate a local specific immunity that prevents trophozoite adhesion and invasion of nasal mucosa.     

Decreasing effect of an anti-Nfa1 polyclonal antibody on the in vitro cytotoxicity of pathogenic Naegleria fowleri

The nfa1 gene was cloned from a cDNA library of pathogenic Naegleria fowleri by immunoscreening; it consisted of 360 bp and produced a 13.1 kDa recombinant protein (rNfa1) that showed the pseudopodia-specific localization by immunocytochemistry in the previous study. Based on the idea that the pseudopodia-specific Nfa1 protein mentioned above seems to be involved in the pathogenicity of N. fowleri, we observed the effect of an anti-Nfa1 antibody on the proliferation of N. fowleri trophozoites and the cytotoxicity of N. fowleri trophozoites on the target cells. The proliferation of N. fowleri trophozoites was inhibited after being treated with an anti-Nfa1 polyclonal antibody in a dose-dependent manner for 48 hrs. By a light microscope, CHO cells co-cultured with N. fowleri trophozoites (group I) for 48 hrs showed severe morphological destruction. On the contrary, CHO cells co-cultured with N. fowleri trophozoites and anti-Nfa1 polyclonal antibody (1:100 dilution) (group II) showed less destruction. In the LDH release assay results, group I showed 50.6% cytotoxicity, and group II showed 39.3%. Consequently, addition of an anti-Nfa1 polyclonal antibody produced a decreasing effect of in vitro cytotoxicity of N. fowleri in a dose-dependent manner.     

Isolation of a unique membrane protein from Naegleria fowleri

Naegleria fowleri, an amoeboflagellate, is the causative agent of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis, a fulminating disease of the central nervous system. In order to elucidate the mechanisms of pathogenicity of this amoeba, a cDNA expression library was prepared from N. fowleri RNA. A specific protein was found to be expressed from a cDNA clone designated Mp2CL5. Northern blot analysis showed that the Mp2CL5 mRNA was expressed in pathogenic N. fowleri but was not expressed in non-pathogenic Naegleria species nor in Acanthamoeba. Western blot analysis using anti-N. fowleri antiserum demonstrated that IPTG-induced Escherichia coli Mp2CL5 expressed a 23-kDa recombinant protein. The Mp2CL5 recombinant protein was histidine-tagged and purified to homogeneity from E. coli. A polyclonal rabbit antiserum was prepared against the purified Mp2CL5 recombinant protein. This antibody was used to further characterize the Mp2CL5 native protein expressed by N. fowleri. Western blot analysis in conjunction with immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated the presence of a native protein of 17 kDa on the plasma membrane of N. fowleri trophozoites. The native N. fowleri protein was expressed in the logarithmic phase of trophozoite growth and the production of this protein increased through the stationary phase of growth. Studies are in progress to examine further its role as a virulence factor.     

马立克氏病毒单克隆抗体的研究

获得了4株分泌马立克氏病毒(MDV)特异性单克隆抗体(McAb)的杂交瘤细胞:4BS10对MDV所有毒株呈阳性反应;4CN8 对MDV血清1,3型毒株发生反应;2BN90和4CN24只对MDV血清1型毒株有阳性反应。3个McAb属IgG1,1个为IgG2b,均不中和MDV,免疫扩散试验也无沉淀线。对禽白血病毒(ALV)无交叉反应。 以2BN90和辣根过氧化物酶、异硫氰酸荧光素的结合物进行直接酶联免疫吸附试验和直接荧光抗体试验,均获得成功。抗体滴度前者为1/51,200,后者为1/640。对ALV无交叉反应。     

TT病毒重组蛋白单克隆抗体的制备

采用杂交瘤技术,获得了4株稳定分泌抗TTV重组蛋白的单克隆抗体杂交瘤细胞株,1株属IgG2bλ链、1株属IgG1κ链、2株属IgG2aκ链。4株杂交瘤细胞培养上清液效价为1：80-1：1280,腹水效价为1：32万-1：160万。     

Natural killer cell activity in Naegleria fowleri infected mice]

The natural killer (NK) cell activity of splenocytes and recycling capacity of NK cells were observed by combining the 51Cr-release cytotoxicity assay and single cell cytotoxicity assay against YAC-1. The ICR mice were infected intranasally with Naegleria fowleri, that is a pathogenic free-living amoeba. The mice infected with 1 x 10(5) trophozoites showed mortality rate of 76.7% and mean survival time of 12.9 days. The cytotoxic activity of NK cells in infected mice was significantly higher than that of non-infected mice during the period between 12 hours and day 3 after infection, and highest on day 1. The target-binding capacity of NK cells in infected mice was not different from that of non-infected ones. Maximal killing potential and maximal recycling capacity were remarkably increased in infected mice as compared with the control. The results obtained in this observation indicated that elevated NK cell activity in mice infected with N. fowleri was not due to target-binding capacity of NK cells but due to the increased activity of NK cells and increased recycling capacity of individual NK cells.     

抗人α2a型基因工程干扰素单克隆抗体及亲和层析柱的研制

应用鼠－鼠杂交瘤细胞技术建立了三系稳定分泌抗重组人α２ａ型干扰素（ｒＨｕ－ＩＦＮ－α２ａ）单克隆抗体细胞系１Ａ５、１Ｂ５和２７Ａ７。细胞连续传代和在液氮中冻存后复苏,分泌抗体能力不变,并且维持在较高水平,细胞培养上清效价１∶２５６～１∶４０９６,腹水１∶２６×１０５～１∶２７×１０８。Ｉｇ亚类测定,１Ａ５和１Ｂ５ＭｃＡｂ为ＩｇＧ１,２７Ａ７为ＩｇＧ２ａ。三系ＭｃＡｂ均识别ｒＨｕ－ＩＦＮ－α２ａ和－α２ｂ,与ｒＨｕ－ＩＦＮ－α１和正常大肠菌体裂解液无反应。竞争ＥＬＩＳＡ试验,三系ＭｃＡｂ分别针对ｒＨｕ－ＩＦＮ－α２ａ上三个不同表位。同ＭｃＡｂ建立双抗体夹心ＥＬＩＳＡ对ｒＨｕ－ＩＦＮ－α２ａ和－α２ｂ均可检测到１５０ｐｇ／ｍｌ,约１０ＩＵ／ｍｌ的敏感度。用提纯的单抗制备亲和层析柱,单抗偶联率９５％以上。三系单抗亲和层析柱均可将粗制ｒＨｕ－ＩＦＮ－α２ａ提纯到９７％以上纯度。平均回收率为：１Ａ５单抗柱９０２％,１Ｂ５单抗柱９５３％,２７Ａ７单抗柱９４７％。比活性平均值依次为１９４×１０８ＩＵ／ｍｇ,１９７×１０８ＩＵ／ｍｇ和１６４×１０８ＩＵ／ｍｇ,残余鼠ＩｇＧ量均符合规程要求。纯化ｒＨｕ－ＩＦＮ?     

抗人IL-6单克隆抗体的制备及鉴定

用基因重组人IL-6免疫Balb/c小鼠,采用小鼠杂交瘤技术,筛选克隆到分泌抗人重组IL-6单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞株,并对其中2H₂、 1D₂ 和4B₄瘤细胞株进行了鉴定.其抗体类别均为IgG,亚类分别为IgG1和IgG2a.用多种细胞因子和无关蛋白的鉴别试验结果证实它们均特异地识别rhIL-6.免疫转染结果显示,该单抗识别分子质量为21 ku的IL-6单一条带.IL-6单克隆抗体的亲和常数K_aff= 1.62×10⁹ (mol/L)^-1.     

抗禽流感病毒H5N1亚型单克隆抗体制备初报

目的制备禽流感H5N1亚型病毒的单克隆抗体,为相关研究提供工具。方法以禽流感H5N1亚型病毒免疫BALBc小鼠,取其脾细胞和SP20细胞融合,用血凝抑制试验(HI)和酶联免疫反应(ELISA)检测培养上清,并将阳性融合细胞稀释克隆化3次直至100%孔均为阳性,筛选阳性克隆株,运用免疫荧光法评估单克隆抗体检测病毒感染的犬肾细胞(MDCK)。结果得到三株稳定分泌抗体的细胞并命名为F8、F9、G11,抗体亚型鉴定结果分别为IgG1、IgG2a和IgG2b;在免疫荧光法单克隆抗体能够检测出感染MDCK细胞的病毒。结论建立了3株抗禽流感H5N1亚型病毒的单克隆抗体细胞株,其产生的一株高特异性的McAbG11能够用于H5N1亚型禽流感病毒感染诊断,并可能应用于禽流感病毒H5N1亚型感染的防治。     

Naegleria fowleri: nfa1 gene knock-down by double-stranded RNAs

Nfa1 protein expressed by the nfa1 gene that was cloned recently from pathogenic Naegleria fowleri was found in pseudopodia, especially food-cups, and concerned with a mechanism of pathogenicity of N. fowleri. In the present study, N. fowleri nfa1 gene was knocked down using double-stranded RNAs, and the expression of Nfa1 protein was observed. Using synthetic double-stranded RNA of the nfa1 gene in vitro, the nfa1 gene and Nfa1 protein were knocked down about 50.4+/-3.1% and 52+/-2%, respectively. These results suggest that RNA interference (RNAi) may be an effective technique for gene knock-down in N. fowleri trophozoites.     

猪戊型肝炎病毒重组蛋白ORF2-V1单克隆抗体的制备及抗原表位差异分析

用纯化的猪戊型肝炎病毒DQ株重组蛋白ORF2-V1免疫BALB/c小鼠,取免疫小鼠脾细胞与SP2/0 骨髓瘤细胞进行融合,经3次克隆和间接ELISA 筛选,获得了αC11,αC12,γH1,γF8,BC4和CH8 6株稳定分泌单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞株。通过间接ELISA 测定,单抗效价为: 细胞培养上清1∶1.60×103～1∶3.20×103,腹水为1∶1.28×106～1∶2.56×106; 经ELISA法测定,6株单克隆抗体均与重组蛋白ORF2-V1反应, 而不与ORF2其它部分片段的蛋白反应; 将试验中制备的MAbs分别用HEV swDQ株感染的A549细胞涂片进行IFA检测,同时分别用猪的阳性、阴性血清和SP2/0细胞上清做对照,制备的6株MAbs对感染细胞均呈现阳性反应,说明其可以与天然的病毒发生反应,并且与阳性多克隆血清比较,以单克隆抗体为一抗,IFA反应表现出良好的特异性。单抗的亚类鉴定结果表明,所有MAbs均为IgG1型,而且所有单克隆抗体的轻链均为κ链。单克隆抗体抗原识别位点分析结果表明,6株单抗分别针对4个不同抗原位点,McAb-γH1,BC4,CH8识别的位点各不相同,其中McAb-γH1,BC4识别的位点有部分重叠,McAb αC11,αC12,γF8识别同一位点,位于γH1,BC4识别位点的重叠区内。     

重组恶性疟原虫DNA质粒免疫小鼠制备单克隆抗体

用恶性疟原虫MSP131基因片段的重组质粒DNA直接免疫BALB/c小鼠,诱导产生体液,免疫后取脾细胞与SP2/0小鼠骨髓瘤细胞在PEG1450作用下进行融合,获得了2株能分泌抗恶性疟原虫MSP131单克隆抗体的小鼠杂交瘤细胞株9H9和8A2。用酶联免疫吸附试验检测,小鼠腹水抗体滴度最高为1∶10 000。经免疫球蛋白类型和亚类鉴定,2株杂交瘤细胞株均为IgG\-1\.蛋白免疫印迹试验表明,此单克隆抗体与MSP1\|31蛋白抗原有特异免疫反应,证明通过质粒DNA直接免疫小鼠可制备特异性单克隆抗体。     

Thermal ecology of Naegleria fowleri from a power plant cooling reservoir

The pathogenic, free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri is the causative agent of human primary amebic meningoencephalitis. N. fowleri has been isolated from thermally elevated aquatic environments worldwide, but temperature factors associated with occurrence of the amoeba remain undefined. In this study, a newly created cooling reservoir (Clinton Lake, Illinois) was surveyed for Naegleria spp. before and after thermal additions from a nuclear power plant. Water and sediment samples were collected from heated and unheated arms of the reservoir and analyzed for the presence of thermophilic Naegleria spp. and pathogenic N. fowleri. Amoebae were identified by morphology, in vitro cultivation, temperature tolerance, mouse pathogenicity assay, and DNA restriction fragment length analysis. N. fowleri was isolated from the thermally elevated arm but not from the ambient-temperature arm of the reservoir. The probability of isolating thermophilic Naegleria and pathogenic N. fowleri increased significantly with temperature. Repetitive DNA restriction fragment profiles of the N. fowleri Clinton Lake isolates and a known N. fowleri strain of human origin were homogeneous.     

Thermal ecology of Naegleria fowleri from a power plant cooling reservoir.

The pathogenic, free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri is the causative agent of human primary amebic meningoencephalitis. N. fowleri has been isolated from thermally elevated aquatic environments worldwide, but temperature factors associated with occurrence of the amoeba remain undefined. In this study, a newly created cooling reservoir (Clinton Lake, Illinois) was surveyed for Naegleria spp. before and after thermal additions from a nuclear power plant. Water and sediment samples were collected from heated and unheated arms of the reservoir and analyzed for the presence of thermophilic Naegleria spp. and pathogenic N. fowleri. Amoebae were identified by morphology, in vitro cultivation, temperature tolerance, mouse pathogenicity assay, and DNA restriction fragment length analysis. N. fowleri was isolated from the thermally elevated arm but not from the ambient-temperature arm of the reservoir. The probability of isolating thermophilic Naegleria and pathogenic N. fowleri increased significantly with temperature. Repetitive DNA restriction fragment profiles of the N. fowleri Clinton Lake isolates and a known N. fowleri strain of human origin were homogeneous.     

鱼类致病性豚鼠气单胞菌单克隆抗体-胶体金检测方法的建立

以福尔马林灭活的豚鼠气单胞菌按2.5×107个/只和5.0×107个/只分成两个剂量组免疫BALB/c小鼠,通过杂交瘤技术制备针对豚鼠气单胞菌的单克隆抗体(McAb),用间接ELISA法对所需的杂交瘤细胞株进行特异性筛选,获得了2株可分泌特异性McAb的杂交瘤细胞,并分别命名为3F3和2C9C3。经过鉴定,这两株McAb能够特异性的针对豚鼠气单胞菌,其抗体亚类分别为IgG1型和IgM型;腹水效价分别为10-6和10-5;相对亲和力较高;3F3针对豚鼠气单胞菌脂多糖表位,而2C9C3针对非脂多糖抗原位点。利用实验制备的McAb建立了以McAb为基础的双抗夹心法膜式超灵敏胶体金快速检测方法,所研制的豚鼠气单胞菌胶体金快速检测卡灵敏度好,特异性高,重复性好,检测时间快,操作简便,为水产上豚鼠气单胞菌的快速鉴定和诊断以及该菌流行的监测提供有力的工具。