Generation and evaluation of anti-mouse IgG IgY as secondary antibody

Abstract

In order to evaluate the possibility of using IgY as the secondary antibody in immunoassay, specific IgY (1: 128,000) was generated by immunizing hens with mouse serum IgG purified by protein A column. IgY was extracted from egg yolk by polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG-6000), and further purified using protein M affinity chromatography column. The purified IgY was conjugated with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and fluorescein?isothiocyanate (FITC), in that order. The reactivity of conjugated antibodies was evaluated by ELISA, Western blot and Immunofluorescence, demonstrating that the obtained IgY was able to conjugate with enzymes, react with mouse primary IgG antibody, and subsequently amplify the antigen-antibody signals in different immune reaction conditions, in a comparable secondary effect to conventional goat anti-mouse IgG antibody. The obtained conjugated antibodies showed high stability in broad pH ranges (4–10; >70%) and high thermostability at 37?°C for 84?h (>85%). Despite the need to further consider and evaluate the industrial standardization and production process, our data provided the primary evidence that conjugated IgY antibodies can be used as a secondary antibody for broad immunological analysis.     

Use of commercially available monoclonal antibodies for immunoenzyme double staining

Summary An immunoenzyme double-staining method for the simultaneous detection of two cellular epitopes, using commercially available mouse monoclonal antibodies, is described. The method employs a combination of the suppression of endogenous biotin and two successive indirect techniques with a blocking step in between. The first indirect method involves an unlabelled monoclonal antibody followed by an alkaline phosphatase-conjugated goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin. After a blocking step with normal mouse serum, the second indirect method is applied using a biotinylated monoclonal antibody followed by the visualization of this antibody by avidin-biotinylated peroxidase complex (ABC) or rabbit anti-biotin and peroxidase-conjugated swine anti-rabbit immunoglobulin in successive steps. Using these methods in combination with the introduction of dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate and tetramethylbenzidine as chromogens for peroxidase activity, two cellular epitopes could be distinguished clearly in tissue sections by the green-and violet-stained peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase activities, respectively. The expression of two epitopes on the same cellular constituent is outlined by the coappearance of both enzyme activities as a bluish-purple colour. This method allows for the simultaneous identification, localization and enumeration of two cellular epitopes. These can serve as parameters for a number of pathological processes.     

A chemiluminescent immunosensor based on antibody immobilized carboxylic resin beads coupled with micro-bubble accelerated immunoreaction for fast flow-injection immunoassay

A novel immunoaffinity column used as an immunosensor for flow-injection chemiluminescent (CL) immunoassay was prepared by immobilizing antibody on carboxylic resin beads. The immunosensor could fast recognize and trap the immunocomplex of horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labeled antibody and antigen, which was firstly formed with a micro-bubble accelerated pre-incubation process, to produce a sandwich immunocomplex. The HRP introduced in the immunoaffinity column could catalyze the CL reaction to produce enzyme-enhanced emission. With alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) as a mode, a flow-injection CL immunoassay was proposed. The whole assay for one sample, including the pre-incubation and the regeneration of immunoaffinity column, could be performed within 16min. The linear range was 1.0-80ng/ml with a correlation coefficient of 0.998 and a detection limit of 0.1ng/ml at a signal/noise ratio of 3. The intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation at 20ng/ml AFP were 1.2% and 8.5%, respectively. The storage stability of the immunoaffinity column and the accuracy for sample detection were acceptable. This flexible, sensitive, low-cost, and rapid method is valuable for clinical immunoassay.     

The animal research kit (ARK) can be used in a multistep double staining method for human tissue specimens.

The newly developed Animal Research Kit (ARK) offers a simple and economic way of biotinylating mouse primary antibodies for background-free immunostaining of mouse and rat tissue specimens. Biotinylation involves the use of a biotinylated goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin Fab fragment mixed with a mouse primary antibody and subsequent blocking with normal mouse immunoglobulin. Because a reliable immunoenzyme double staining procedure on human tissue specimens with two unlabeled mouse primary antibodies of identical subclass is almost impossible, we have tested the performance of ARK biotinylation of one primary antibody in a multistep indirect/direct staining protocol. The multistep double staining procedure involved the subsequent application of an unlabeled mouse monoclonal antibody (MAb) 1 detected with an enzyme-labeled EnVision reagent, normal mouse serum for blocking, followed by a biotinylated mouse MAb 2 and enzyme-labeled streptavidin. Alkaline phosphatase and peroxidase enzymatic activities were developed last. Double staining results obtained with an ARK biotinylated reagent were compared with a truly biotinylated reagent using N-hydroxy succinimide-biotin for conjugation. It appeared that both biotinylation procedures revealed identical double staining results. Although a limited number of antibody combinations have been tested, it is clear that this double staining procedure will be successful for many antibody pairs.     

Quantification of C-reactive protein in the serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis using multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry and 13C-labeled peptide standards

A general method for the quantification of proteins in human serum was developed using mass spectrometry (MS) and stable isotope-labeled synthetic peptides as internal standards. Using this approach, C-reactive protein (CRP), a diagnostic marker of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), was detected in serum samples taken from patients with either erosive or nonerosive RA and compared to healthy individuals. Small volumes of serum samples were enriched for low-abundance proteins through the selective removal of human serum albumin (HSA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and haptoglobin. After depletion of abundant proteins, the complexity of the protein mixture was further simplified using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) to fractionate denatured proteins into discrete molecular weight ranges. Fractions of interest containing CRP, M(r) = 25 000, were pooled, digested with trypsin, and then fixed quantities of the synthetic peptides were added to the mixture. The mixture of tryptic peptides was subsequently analyzed by nanoflow chromatography-tandem MS (nanoLC-MS/MS) using multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (TQ-MS). The ratio of transition ions derived from the endogenous and isotope-labeled peptides provided a quantitative measure of CRP in the original samples as assessed by independent measurement of CRP in the same patient samples using an immunoassay. The use of isotope-labeled synthetic peptides and MRM is a powerful analytical method for the prescreening of candidate protein biomarkers in human serum prior to antibody and immunoassay development.     

A quick protocol for the preparation of mouse retinal cryosections for immunohistochemistry

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) using mouse retinal cryosections is widely used to study the expression and intracellular localization of proteins in mouse retinas. Conventionally, the preparation of retinal cryosections from mice involves tissue fixation, cryoprotection, the removal of the cornea and lens, embedding and sectioning. The procedure takes 1–2 days to complete. Recently, we developed a new technique for the preparation of murine retinal cryosections by coating the sclera with a layer of Super Glue. This enables us to remove the cornea and extract the lens from the unfixed murine eye without causing the eyecup to collapse. In the present study, based on this new technique, we move a step forward to modify the conventional protocol. Unlike in the conventional protocol, in this method, we first coat the unfixed mouse eyeball on the sclera with Super Glue and then remove the cornea and lens. The eyecup is then fixed, cryoprotected and sectioned. This new protocol for the preparation of retinal cryosections reduces the time for the procedure to as little as 2 h. Importantly, the new protocol consistently improves the morphology of retinal sections as well as the image quality of IHC. Thus, this new quick protocol will be greatly beneficial to the community of visual sciences by expediting research progress and improving the results of IHC.     

Automated kinetic exclusion assays to quantify protein binding interactions in homogeneous solution.

A method was developed for the quantification of protein-ligand interactions in which the free protein present in homogeneous reaction mixtures was separated and quantified using a KinExA immunoassay instrument. Separation was achieved by rapid percolation of the reaction mixture over a column of microbeads whose surfaces were coated with an immobilized form of the ligand. The protein thus captured was quantified using a fluorescently labeled anti-protein antibody. The features of this new method were illustrated using a model system in which each of the principal reagents was covalently labeled with a different fluorescent molecule: mouse monoclonal anti-biotin primary antibody (fluorescein), biotin (B-phycoerythrin), and goat anti-mouse polyclonal secondary antibody (indodicarbocyanin). Values for the equilibrium and kinetic rate constants for the binding between the anti-biotin antibody and biotin conjugated with B-phycoerythrin were determined and shown to be independent of whether the fluorescent label was located on the primary or secondary antibody. Equilibrium binding experiments conducted with (F(AB))(2) and corresponding F(AB) fragments showed that the valency of the binding protein had no influence on the value of the dissociation constant. The values of the equilibrium and rate constants obtained by this new method are those for the binding reaction in homogeneous solution; the immobilized ligand is only a tool exploited for the separation and quantification of the free protein.     

A novel sensitive immunoassay method based on the Invader technique

A novel and sensitive immunoassay method has been developed in which the conventional sandwich immunoassay and the highly sensitive DNA detection method, the Invader method, are combined. The signal amplification function of the latter method has been successfully used to enhance the sensitivity of the sandwich immunoassay. The new assay method may be called the Immuno-Invader assay. The assay format involves three important steps: (1) a target antigen is captured and flagged with a biotin-conjugated detection antibody by the sandwich method, (2) streptavidin and a biotin-conjugated oligonucleotide are added to form a complex with the detection antibody, and (3) the oligonucleotide in the complex is detected using the Invader method. The method was applied to the assay of human tumor necrosis factor-α (hTNF-α). Detection limits obtained were 0.1 pg/ml hTNF-α when a luminescent europium chelate was used with a time-resolved measurement mode, and 0.8 pg/ml when fluorescein was used with a normal prompt fluorescence measurement mode. On the other hand, the detection limit of a commercially available hTNF-α enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that uses horseradish peroxidase was 3.5 pg/ml. These results demonstrate the feasibility and potential of the new assay method for highly sensitive immunoassay.     

Solid-Phase Immunoassay of PO Glycoprotein of Peripheral Nerve Myelin

To explore the immunological properties of PO protein, antibodies were elicited in rabbits against the purified chick PO protein. Peripheral nervous system protein was fractionated on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide slab gels and then transferred electrophoretically ("blotted") onto nitrocellulose sheets. The PO protein was detected by its capacity to bind its specific antibody present in the rabbit serum. The PO-specific antibody complex was then exposed to goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG) coupled to peroxidase or labeled with 125I. The resulting PO antigen-antibody "sandwich" was visualized and quantitated by densitometry of the colored peroxidase reaction product or by autoradiography and gamma-radiation counting of the 125I-IgG complex. The methods permitted quantitation of the PO protein in various nerve extracts. The limit of detection of the PO antigen was about 1 ng of protein. The antibody was specific for the PO glycoprotein in the peripheral nerve extracts. The PO proteins from various species, including human, were also detected by the antibody to chick PO protein. Preliminary experiments indicate the solid-phase immunoassay is a useful method for monitoring PO protein levels in small quantities of tissue extracts under various physiological and pathological conditions.     

Production of monoclonal antibodies against avian LHRH-I

Summary Production of antibodies against peptides or poorly antigenic proteins by conventional methods often requires either large quantities of the native immunogen or some chemical modification to increase their antigenicity. In this study an in vivo and in vitro immunization protocol has been used to generate monoclonal antibodies against the decapeptide luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH). Two injections of 100 μg of avian LHRH-I into BALB/c mice were given 7 d apart. Dissociated splenocytes were collected under sterile conditions. They were incubated with 100 μg of the immunogen in 75-cm² tissue culture flasks in thymocyte-conditioned media. After 5 to 8 d exposure to the antigen, splenocytes were fused with SP2/O myeloma cells by polyethylene glycol. The cells were plated into 24 wells and then incubated in hypoxanthine aminopterin and thymidine selective media. After 14 d an initial screening was done by enzyme immunoassay. The positive wells (6/24) were expanded into 96-well plates and rescreened. Selected lines were cloned out 3 times by limiting dilution and the most positive expanded for ascites production. The antibody was affinity purified in a protein A column. The antibody cross-reacted with LHRH-I and II but preferentially to LHRH-I, as shown by competitive assay. A hypothalamic extract from a mature chick showed a higher response than preparations from whole brain explants of 1- to 3-d posthatched chicks, mature quail, and mature mouse. This work was funded by the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station artical no. A4975, contribution no. 8019.     

Sex-Dependent and Sex-Independent Distribution of the β-Subunit of Nerve Growth Factor in the Central Nervous and Peripheral Tissues of Mice

Levels of the beta-subunit of nerve growth factor (beta-NGF) were measured in the central nervous and peripheral tissues of mice using a highly sensitive, sandwich-type enzyme immunoassay system. Antiserum was raised in rabbits against the 7S form of NGF, which was purified from mouse submandibular glands. beta-NGF-specific antibody isolated on a column of Sepharose CL-4B coupled with purified beta-NGF reacted only with beta-NGF. The assay for beta-NGF was performed by incubation of F(ab')2 fragments of the antibody immobilized on a polystyrene ball with tissue extract and then with the same antibody Fab' fragments labeled with beta-D-galactosidase, followed by measurement of galactosidase activity. Our assay system was found to be highly sensitive (minimal detection limit, 0.3 pg/0.3 ml of assay mixture). Furthermore, the presence of gelatin hydrolysates and protease inhibitors during preparation of tissue extracts enabled us to determine the precise levels of beta-NGF in almost all organs of mice. The amount of beta-NGF in submandibular glands was extremely high, and its level increased rapidly until mice were 2 months of age; then, the level continued to increase slowly until mice were 1 year old (3-5 mg/g of tissue). In serum, some of the 2-month-old males, but none of the females, exhibited a fairly high level of beta-NGF (greater than 100 pg/ml).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Multiplexed immunoassays for proteins using magnetic luminescent nanoparticles for internal calibration

Suspension arrays present a promising tool for multiplexed assays in large-scale screening applications. A simple and robust platform for quantitative multiprotein immunoanalysis has been developed with the use of magnetic Co:Nd:Fe(2)O(3)/luminescent Eu:Gd(2)O(3) core/shell nanoparticles (MLNPs) as a carrier. The magnetic properties of the MLNPs allow their manipulation by an external magnetic field in the separation and washing steps in the immunoassay. Their optical properties enable the internal calibration of the detection system. The multiplexed sandwich immunoassay involves dual binding events on the surface of the MLNPs functionalized with the capture antibodies. Secondary antibodies labeled with conventional organic dyes (Alexa Fluor) are used as reporters. The amount of the bound secondary antibody is directly proportional to the concentration of the analyte in the sample. In our approach, the fluorescence intensity of the reporter dye is related to the luminescence signal of the MLNPs. In this way, the intrinsic luminescence of the MLNPs serves as an internal standard in the quantitative immunoassay. The concept is demonstrated for a simultaneous immunoassay for three model proteins (human, rabbit, and mouse IgGs). The method uses a standard bench plate reader. It can be applied to disease diagnostics and to the detection of biological threats.     

Two satisfactory methods for purification of human acrosin

Acrosin has been purified from human sperm cells by two alternative procedures which give purer products and in higher yields than could be achieved previously. The products were characterized by their molecular weight, catalytic action, sensitivity to inhibitors, and reaction with a polyclonal anti-acrosin antibody. After acid extraction of the cells, one method involves removal of acrosin inhibitors by vacuum dialysis, followed by affinity chromatography on a soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI) column, and therefore requires that the acrosin be in an active form capable of binding to the inhibitor. The other method involves affinity chromatography on a column of a monoclonal anti-acrosin antibody (MAb) and can be used to provide either active or proenzyme forms of acrosin, by choice of extraction conditions and inclusion of appropriate inhibitors. The yield of human acrosin from the SBTI method was 104% and from the MAb column was 75%. It is hoped that these procedures will make the very scarce human acrosin more readily available for further study.     

Immunological analysis of methamphetamine antibody and its use for the detection of methamphetamine by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence

An accurate, simple and rapid immunoassay is demonstrated for the detection of methamphetamine in urine by capillary electrophoresis (CE) with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF). An aminobutyl derivative of methamphetamine was conjugated with proteins, and used as an immunogen to produce antibodies for the assay. The methamphetamine derivative was also labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) to compete with free methamphetamine in the sample for the antibody binding site. Levels of free and antibody-bound FITC-labeled methamphetamine were monitored by performing CE–LIF using an untreated fused-silica column. This competitive immunoassay used antiserum instead of purified antibody or antibody fragment, yet was found to have good precision with a sensitivity of lower than 20 ng/ml. Various antibodies were also screened, and cross-reactivity of anti-MA antibody with methamphetamine analogues were also investigated. The results indicate that CE–LIF-based immunoassay is a powerful tool for the screening and characterization of antibody and may have possible applications in the detection of abused drugs in urine.     

Detection of citrulline residues in deiminated proteins on polyvinylidene difluoride membrane.

We have developed a new detection method of deiminated proteins on polyvinylidene difluoride membranes. Citrulline residues in enzymatically deiminated histones were modified by incubating with diacetyl monoxime and antipyrine in a strong acid mixture. The products were injected to rabbits, and the antibodies obtained were affinity-purified using a modified citrulline column. Sample proteins blotted to the membrane were modified in a similar manner and incubated successively with the purified antibody and an alkaline phosphatase-conjugated second antibody. Detection was performed using a chemiluminescent substrate. The method enabled detection of 3-10 fmol of citrulline residues dot blotted as deiminated model proteins. It visualized numerous rat pituitary soluble proteins that had been enzymatically deiminated and Western blotted to the membrane. The data suggest usefulness of the method for detecting deiminated proteins regardless of the backbone protein molecules. Search for deiminated proteins on the Western blots of various rat tissue homogenates detected a single band on that of spinal cord, another band on that of uterus, and multiple bands on those of skin and hair root. The bands in the former two tissue homogenates comigrated with glial fibrillary acidic protein and vimentin, respectively.     

Isolation and use in virological research of a peroxidase conjugate with protein A

On the basis of proteins A produced at the Mechnikov Central Research Institute for Vaccines and Sera (Moscow) and obtained from Pharmacia AB (Sweden), several batches of peroxidase conjugate have been prepared by a modified method of periodate oxidation. The preparations thus obtained have been evaluated by means of the corresponding enzyme immunoassay systems for the detection of antibodies to herpes simplex and measles viruses. The results of this investigation indicate that serum antibody titers, determined in the assays with antispecific conjugates and with protein A-based based conjugates, coincide. The comparative study of conjugates prepared on the basis of Soviet and imported proteins A has demonstrated their similar activities and specificities.     

A modified immunohistochemical procedure for the detection of estrogen receptor in mouse tissues

A horseradish peroxidase (HRP) labeled antibody method was developed for use with a monoclonal antibody to detect estrogen receptor (ER) in mouse tissue. Combined use of HRP labeled F(ab')2 fragment absorbed with mouse liver protein to minimize background staining and imidazol-DAB reaction gave the most reliable and sensitive immunostaining. The method was applied to uterine, vaginal, pituitary and liver tissues in ovariectomized adult mice. In uterus and vagina, ER was recognized in nuclei of epithelial cells, stromal cells and smooth muscle cells of the muscle layer and blood vessels. Liver tissue showed positive nuclear immunostaining in parenchymal cells; however, no reaction was present in endothelial cells, Kupffer cells, bile ductal cells, and smooth muscle cells of blood vessels. ER was localized in the nuclei of anterior pituitary cells while weak reaction was also recognized in cells of the intermediate lobe. No staining was detected in the posterior pituitary. Results demonstrate that both occupied and unoccupied ER are localized in the cell nucleus from several target tissues. Weak immunostaining in samples could not be enhanced by multiple procedures. It is suggested that nuclear ER is partially hidden by nuclear components such as nucleic acid and chromatin proteins.     

A Flexible Mouse-On-Mouse Immunohistochemical Staining Technique Adaptable to Biotin-Free Reagents,Immunofluorescence, and Multiple Antibody Staining

Immunohistochemistry on mouse tissue utilizing mouse monoclonal antibodies presents a challenge. Secondary antibodies directed against the mouse monoclonal primary antibody of interest will also detect endogenous mouse immunoglobulin in the tissue. This can lead to significant spurious staining. Therefore, a “mouse-on-mouse” staining strategy is needed to yield credible data. This paper presents a method that is easy to use and highly flexible to accommodate both an avidin-biotin detection system as well as a biotin-free polymer detection system. The mouse primary antibody is first combined with an Fab fragment of an anti-mouse antibody in a tube and allowed sufficient time to form an antibody complex. Any non-complexed secondary antibody is bound up with mouse serum. The mixture is then applied to the tissue. The flexibility of this method is confirmed with the use of different anti-mouse antibodies followed by a variety of detection reagents. These techniques can be used for immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), as well as staining with multiple primary antibodies. This method has also been adapted to other models, such as using human antibodies on human tissue and using multiple rabbit antibodies in dual immunofluorescence.     

Mouse PSP94 expression is prostate tissue-specific as demonstrated by a comparison of multiple antibodies against recombinant proteins

Prostate tissue-specific gene expression is crucial for driving potentially therapeutic genes to target specifically to the prostate. Prostate secretory protein of 94 amino acids (PSP94), also known as beta-MSP (microseminoprotein), is one of the three most abundant secretory proteins of the prostate gland, and is generally considered to be prostate tissue-specific. We have previously demonstrated that the expression of the rat PSP94 gene is strictly prostate tissue-specific by an antibody against a recombinant rat PSP94. In order to study prostate targeting utilizing the PSP94 gene in a mouse pre-clinical experimental model, we need to establish antibodies against mouse PSP94 to confirm if it is prostate tissue-specific as well. In this study, firstly we raised a polyclonal antibody against a recombinant glutathione-S-transferase- (GST-) mouse mature form of PSP94. However, it showed very poor immunoreactivity against prostate tissue PSP94 as tested in Western blotting experiments. Neither antibodies against rat PSP94 nor mouse PSP94 showed significant cross-reactivity. Thus a second antibody was established against a recombinant mouse mature PSP94 containing N-terminal polyhistidines, and stronger immunoreactivity against mouse prostate tissue PSP94 was identified in Western blotting experiments. Both of these antibodies showed immunohistochemical reactivity, while the latter showed stronger reactivity in IHC when tested with different fixatives. By studying tissue distribution, we demonstrated that, as with rat PSP94, mouse PSP94 is strictly prostate tissue-specific in experiments of both Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC). This conclusion was also derived from a comparison among antibodies against human, rat, and mouse PSP94, showing very different immunoreactivities in Western blotting and IHC. Finally, a competitive assay between different species was performed. We demonstrated that antibodies against PSP94 from different species (human, primate, rodents) have poor cross-reactivities. These observations also indicate that the PSP94 gene is a rapidly evolving gene in all species. Results from this study have led to the possibility of utilizing PSP94 as a targeting agent specifically to the prostate in a mouse experimental model.     

A murine monoclonal antibody produced in transgenic plants with plant-specific glycans is not immunogenic in mice

Previous studies have shown that the production of recombinant antibodies in plants is highly efficient and presents numerous therapeutic applications. It is, however, known that plant glycoproteins display different glycosylation patterns to those exhibited by mammalian glycoproteins. Thus, it is important to know if these plant recombinant antibodies could induce undesirable immune responses in mammal; and to date no report has documented the potential immunogenicity of parenterally administered plant recombinant antibodies in animals. In order to answer this question, mice were immunised subcutaneously with a recombinant mouse monoclonal antibody produced in tobacco plants, together with alum as adjuvant. Two control groups were immunised in the same way with either the original murine monoclonal antibody or horseradish peroxidase (a plant glycoprotein). Analyses by direct immunoassay, competition immunoassay and real-time surface plasmon resonance, showed undetectable levels of antibody directed against both the protein and the glycan part of the plant recombinant antibody. These results have a direct relevance for the application of plant recombinant proteins as therapeutic agents and vaccines in humans.