Immunological detection of the dystrophin molecule with antibody directed against the synthetic peptide.

We synthesized a peptide designated R8 (amino acid residues 1157-1201) based on the primary structure presumed from the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA clone from the gene for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Antibody to the synthetic R8 generated by immunization of rabbits was tested on human and mouse skeletal muscle by Western blotting analysis. The antibody reacted with a component of the 400K dystrophin of normal human and mouse skeletal muscles, but not with components of the muscles of Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients and mdx mice. Thus we established that this peptide sequence is in fact missing in the protein product 'dystrophin' encoded by the DMD gene. The antibody may prove useful for the diagnosis of the Duchenne types of muscular dystrophy.     

Isolation, crystallization, and preliminary x-ray study of a Fab fragment of monoclonal antibody against human interleukin-2 and its complex with antigenic peptide]

Antigen-binding fragments (Fab) of mouse monoclonal antibodies to human interleukin-2 were obtained in preparative quantities by a modified procedure. These Fab-fragments were shown to be homogeneous according to the isoelectric focusing method. Various monocrystals of these free Fab-fragments and their complexes with the antigenic peptide corresponding to the 59-72 sequence of interleukin-2 were obtained. These were shown to be suitable for X-ray and were preliminarily studied by X-ray.     

Pharmacologic effects on mouse isolated atria of immunoglobulins directed against class I histocompatibility antigens

Sera from alloimmunized mice exert potent inotropic and chronotropic effects on mouse isolated atria. In this report, we present data showing that both total immunoglobulins and purified IgG from alloimmunized mice were able to exert per se these effects. The pharmacologic effects of IgG were parallel to its cytotoxic titer but not to its immunofluorescence titer. The specificity of the inotropic and chronotropic effects was studied by using several interstrain immunizations and target atria. It was observed that only the sera from mice immunized with H-2-disparate cells were able to exert pharmacologic effects on atria; these effects were evident not only on atria from the immunizing strain, but also on atria from other strains having identical H-2 but different backgrounds. Neither normal sera nor sera from animals immunized against non-H-2 differences were active. The effect of sera, total immunoglobulins, and purified IgG were blocked by propranolol, suggesting the involvement of beta-adrenoreceptor in the reaction.     

Construction and characterization of a recombinant murine monoclonal antibody directed against human fibrin fragment-D dimer

cDNA libraries in lambda phage were generated from the murine hybridoma secreting mAb-15C5, a monoclonal antibody directed against fragment-D dimer of crosslinked human fibrin [Holvoet et al. (1989) Thromb. Haemostasis 61, 307-313], and clones encoding fragments of the heavy (gamma 1) and the light (kappa) chain were isolated. The kappa-chain cDNA was reconstructed from two overlapping clones encoding 20 amino acids of signal sequence and the 214 amino acids of the mature protein chain. The gamma 1-chain cDNA was reconstructed from the mAb-15C5 kappa-chain signal sequence, the mAb-15C5 gamma 1 variable-domain coding sequence and murine gamma 1-gene and gamma 1-chain cDNA fragments encoding the constant domains. These cDNAs were expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, selected cell lines were scaled up in roller bottle culture, and recombinant mAb-15C5 was purified from the conditioned medium by chromatography on Zn-chelate - Sepharose, protein-A - Sepharose and insolubilized fragment-D dimer, with a yield of 50 micrograms/l and a recovery of 20%. SDS-gel electrophoresis without reduction revealed a homogeneous band, and after reduction a light-chain band with identical and a heavy-chained band with a somewhat slower mobility than that of the natural mAb-15C5. Competitive binding revealed a comparable affinity of natural and recombinant mAb-15C5 for fibrin fragment-D dimer. Thus recombinant mAb-15C5, obtained by co-expression of the reconstructed cDNAs of the kappa and gamma 1 chain in Chinese hamster ovary cells, has very similar properties to natural mAb-15C5. These recombinant mAb-15C5 cDNAs may be useful for the construction of a humanized monoclonal antibody for thrombus imaging, and for targeting of thrombolytic agents to fibrin.     

Immunocytochemical identification of bovine Langerhans cells by use of a monoclonal antibody directed against class II MHC antigens

We undertook a study to develop a reliable light microscopic technique for identifying Langerhans cells (LC) in bovine epidermis. Monoclonal antibodies (MCA) detecting bovine class II MHC antigens were used in conjunction with an avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) immunocytochemical staining method. The specificity of the MCA for LC was confirmed ultrastructurally by use of gold-labeled second antibody. Epidermal sheets and epidermal single-cell suspensions examined by light microscopy confirm that bovine epidermal LC express class II antigens. Anti-bovine class II MCA is a dependable reagent for identification of LC in normal bovine epidermis.     

Isolation and characterization of a monoclonal antibody against pig kidney sodium- and potassium-activated ATPase

A hybridoma cell line producing mouse monoclonal antibody against pig kidney Na,K-ATPase was established. The antibody, named 38 (mAb38, IgG1), was purified from mouse ascites fluid by chromatography on a protein A-Sepharose column. Antigens immobilized on microplate wells with p-benzoquinone were used for titer assays. mAb38 cross-reacted with both dodecyloctaethyleneglycol monoether (C12E8)-solubilized enzyme and membranous sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-treated enzyme from kidney with high affinity (50% binding = 0.6 nM). However, the antibody bound to neither alpha- nor beta-subunit separated by preparative SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The stoichiometry of antibody binding to the purified enzyme was estimated to be about 0.86 mol of IgG per mol of alpha beta-protomer. Na,K-ATPase proteins were recovered from a column of mAb38-coupled Affi-Gel by elution with pH 3 buffer when C12E8-solubilized kidney enzyme or detergent extracts of brain microsomes were applied to it, confirming that the mAb is directed to Na,K-ATPase. mAb38 at saturation level concentrations had no effect on kidney Na,K-ATPase activity or on ouabain-sensitive Rb uptake in erythrocytes. In an immunofluorescence study, the antibody bound to intact erythrocytes much more strongly than control IgG1 (mAb50c), but the extent of the antibody binding to inside-out vesicles under hypotonic conditions was lower than that of the control. Most of the antibody binding activity remained when the kidney enzyme was treated with sialidase. These results suggest that this mAb38 was raised against an intact conformation of a cell-surface-exposed site of Na,K-ATPase.     

Isolation and characterization of libraries of monoclonal antibodies directed against various forms of tubulin in Paramecium

Summary— Ciliates are very good models for studying post-translationally generated tubulin heterogeneity because they exhibit highly differentiated microtubular networks in combination with reduced genetic diversity. We have approached the analysis of tubulin heterogeneity in Paramecium through extensive isolation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies using various antigens and several immunization protocols. Eight monoclonal antibodies and 10 hybridoma supernatants were characterized by: i) immunoblotting on ciliate and pig brain tubulins as well as on peptide maps of Paramecium axonemal tubulin; ii) immunoblotting on ciliate tubulin fusion peptides generated in E coli, a procedure which allows in principle to discriminate antibodies that are directed against tubulin sequence (reactive on fusion peptides) from those directed against a post-translational epitope (non-reactive); and iii) immunofluorescence on Paramecium, 3T3 and PtK2 cells. Twelve antibodies labeled all microtubules in Paramecium cells and were found to be directed against tubulin primary sequences (nine of them being located in the α N-terminal domain, one in the β C-terminal one, and two in α and β central stretches). The remaining ones decorated only a specific subset of microtubules within the cell and were presumably directed against post-translational modifications. Among these, three antibodies are directed against an N-terminal acetylated epitope of α-tubulin whereas the epitopes of three other ones (TAP 952°, AXO 58 and AXO 49°) apparently correspond to still unidentified post-translational modifications, located in the C-terminal domain of both α- and β-tubulins. The AXO 49° specificity is similar to that of a previously described polyclonal serum raised against Paramecium axonemal tubulin [2]. The results are discussed in terms of identification and accessibility of the epitopes and immunogenicity of ciliate tubulin with reference to mammalian and ciliate tubulin sequences.     

Molecular modeling of an antigenic complex between a viral peptide and a class I major histocompatibility glycoprotein.

Computer simulation of the conformations of short antigenic peptides (5-10 residues) either free or bound to their receptor, the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-encoded glycoprotein H-2 Ld, was employed to explain experimentally determined differences in the antigenic activities within a set of related peptides. Starting for each sequence from the most probable conformations disclosed by a pattern-recognition technique, several energy-minimized structures were subjected to molecular dynamics simulations (MD) either in vacuo or solvated by water molecules. Notably, antigenic potencies were found to correlate to the peptides propensity to form and maintain an overall alpha-helical conformation through regular i,i + 4 hydrogen bonds. Accordingly, less active or inactive peptides showed a strong tendency to form i,i + 3 hydrogen bonds at their N-terminal end. Experimental data documented that the C-terminal residue is critical for interaction of the peptide with H-2 Ld. This finding could be satisfactorily explained by a 3-D Q.S.A.R. analysis postulating interactions between ligand and receptor by hydrophobic forces. A 3-D model is proposed for the complex between a high-affinity nonapeptide and the H-2 Ld receptor. First, the H-2 Ld molecule was built from X-ray coordinates of two homologous proteins: HLA-A2 and HLA-Aw68, energy-minimized and studied by MD simulations. With HLA-A2 as template, the only realistic simulation was achieved for a solvated model with minor deviations of the MD mean structure from the X-ray conformation. Water simulation of the H-2 Ld protein in complex with the antigenic nonapeptide was then achieved with the template-derived optimal parameters. The bound peptide retains mainly its alpha-helical conformation and binds to hydrophobic residues of H-2 Ld that correspond to highly polymorphic positions of MHC proteins. The orientation of the nonapeptide in the binding cleft is in accordance with the experimentally determined distribution of its MHC receptor-binding residues (agretope residues). Thus, computer simulation was successfully employed to explain functional data and predicts alpha-helical conformation for the bound peptide.     

Requirement of the proteasome for the trimming of signal peptide-derived epitopes presented by the nonclassical major histocompatibility complex class I molecule HLA-E

The nonclassical major histocompatibility complex class I molecule HLA-E acts as a ligand for CD94/NKG2 receptors on the surface of natural killer cells and a subset of T cells. HLA-E presents closely related nonameric peptide epitopes derived from the highly conserved signal sequences of classical major histocompatibility complex class I molecules as well as HLA-G. Their generation requires cleavage of the signal sequence by signal peptidase followed by the intramembrane-cleaving aspartic protease, signal peptide peptidase. In this study, we have assessed the subsequent proteolytic requirements leading to generation of the nonameric HLA-E peptide epitopes. We show that proteasome activity is required for further processing of the peptide generated by signal peptide peptidase. This constitutes the first example of capture of a naturally derived short peptide by the proteasome, producing a class I peptide ligand.     

Isolation and characterization of an antigen-specific suppressor inducer molecule from serum of hyperimmune mice by using a monoclonal antibody

We have used a rat monoclonal antibody (mAb) (called 14-30) to affinity purify the antigen-binding chain of a suppressor inducer factor (TsiF-AB) from the serum of mice hyperimmune to heterologous erythrocytes. The TsiF-AB requires the addition of a second, antigen-nonspecific component for biologic activity as well as Lyt-2+ T cells in the assay culture. This mAb can be used to affinity purify suppressor inducer factor from a well-characterized TsiF but not suppressor effector factor (TseF) from culture supernatants. Binding of mAb 14-30 to TsiF is independent of the antigen specificity of the suppressor factor and of the strain of origin of the TsiF. The TsiF affinity purified from hyperimmune serum has an apparent m.w. of 68,000 by SDS-PAGE analysis. 2D gel analysis shows that the serum-derived TsiF has charge heterogeneity, all in the acid range.     

A monoclonal antibody directed against the head region of vimentin

The production and identification of a monoclonal antibody directed against an epitope in the aminoterminal head region of vimentin is described. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, protein blotting and indirect immunofluorescence were used. The wide range of cross-reactivity within cytoskeletal proteins observed for this antibody gives evidence for a determinant in an evolutionarily conserved region. Computer comparison of aminoacid sequences of the immunoreactive proteins and biochemical cleavage of vimentin provide possible clues to some antigenic determinants.     

Beta 2-microglobulin-free HLA class I heavy chain epitope mimicry by monoclonal antibody HC-10-specific peptide

mAb HC-10 loses its reactivity with HLA class I (HLA-I) H chain (HC) following its association with beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)m). Furthermore, the HC-10 defined epitope appears to be involved in the pathogenesis of spondyloarthropathies, because HC-10 reduced their incidence in HLA-B27(+)beta(2)m degrees /MHC class II knockout mice. This study has characterized the determinant recognized by HC-10. Panning of a phage display peptide library with HC-10 resulted in isolation of the motif PxxWDR, which could be aligned with P57, W60, D61, and R62 of the first domain of the HLA-I HC allospecificities reactive with HC-10. The (55)EGPEYWDR(N/E)T(64) (p-1) is the shortest motif-bearing peptide that reacts with HC-10 and inhibits its binding to soluble HLA-B7 HC, irrespective of whether N (p-1a) or E (p-1b) is present at position 63. By contrast, HC-10 did not react with six additional peptides, each bearing motif amino acid substitutions present in HC-10-not-reactive HLA-I allospecificities. The p-1-derived Qp-1, synthesized with the additional conserved Q54, which displays the highest in vitro reactivity with HC-10, was the only one to induce in mice IgG resembling HC-10 in their fine specificity. Mapping of the HC-10-defined determinant suggests that the lack of mAb reactivity with beta(2)m-associated HLA-I HC is caused by blocking by the peptide in the groove of beta(2)m-associated HLA-I HC, though a role of HC conformational changes following its association with beta(2)m cannot be excluded. This information contributes to our understanding of the molecular basis of the antigenic profiles of beta(2)m-free and beta(2)m-associated HLA-I HC and may serve to develop active specific immunotherapy of spondyloarthropathies.     

Establishment and characterization of monoclonal antibody against androgen receptor

Hybrid cell lines were prepared by the fusion of BALB/c myeloma NS-1 cells with the lymphocytes of BALB/c mice that were immunized with partially purified androgen receptor (AR) from human prostates. Nine clones of the hybrid progeny were determined for the production of antibodies against AR by immunoprecipitation assay. One of the clones, referred to as "5F4", was chosen for analysis of the detailed specificity. The clone "5F4" secreted IgM class antibodies against AR. Competition study demonstrated that "5F4" antibody inhibited androgen binding of AR, suggesting that the antibody identifies androgen binding site of AR. Immunoblotting analysis showed that the antibody identified the ARs as two proteins, 95 kD and 41 kD proteins, on a sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel. It is suspected that a 95 kD protein should be a monomeric AR and a 41 kD protein is a proteolytic fragment of AR. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that androgen-dependent tissues--human prostatic hypertrophy tissues, an AR abundant prostatic cancer tissue and fibroblast cells from human genital skin--were stained intensely with "5F4" monoclonal antibody, while androgen-independent tissues--fibroblast cells from lymph nodes, an AR deficient prostatic cancer tissue and human prostatic cancer cell line, PC-3--showed no staining. These results also support the specificity of the antibody for AR.     

Identification, synthesis and properties of a consensus peptide recognized by a monoclonal antibody directed to various type I cytokine receptors

Previous works demonstrated that the monoclonal antibody (MAb) called R7B4 is directed to an epitope shared by receptors for lactogenic and somatogenic hormones as well as interleukins 2 and 6 (IL-2 and IL-6). The MAb inhibited the biological effects of those hormones and cytokines by impairing their binding to receptors. It is known that the receptors for growth hormones (GH), prolactins (PRL), IL-2, and IL-6 pertain to the type I cytokine receptor family, sharing the common motif WSXWS or the homologous F(Y)GEFS. Thus, a set of 34 decapeptides corresponding to diverse receptors containing those sequences were synthesized by the PEPSCAN method and their reactions with MAb R7B4 were measured by ELISA. The MAb significantly recognized 21 peptides, allowing us to establish the consensus sequence HGYWSEWSPE as a portion of the R7B4 epitope. The consensus peptide was synthesized and purified by conventional methods, and its capacity to bind to MAb R7B4 paratope confirmed. Moreover, polyclonal Ab to the peptide elicited in mice were able to inhibit the hGH binding to lactogenic, somatogenic and human specific liver receptors. This fact suggests that the consensus peptide could be used as an immunogen to produce anti-hGH receptor Ab behaving as hormone or cytokine antagonists in certain pathological conditions.     

Preparation of monoclonal antibody against crocin and its characterization

Three crocin-carrier protein conjugates were synthesized and their hapten numbers were determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. Three monoclonal antibodies against crocin were produced by hybridomas fused with the splenocytes immunized with crocin hemisuccinate-bovine serum albumin conjugate and HAT-sensitive mouse myeloma cell line, P3-X63-Ag8-653. They were identified as IgG2a and IgG2b possessing light chain, respectively. Their wide reactivities against crocetin glycosides were discussed.     

Production of a monoclonal antibody directed against rat liver glutathione-insulin transhydrogenase

A hybridoma cell line secreting monoclonal antibody specific for glutathione-insulin transhydrogenase has been produced by fusing mouse myeloma cells with spleen cells from mice immunized to purified rat liver glutathione-insulin transhydrogenase. The secreted antibody isotypes were found to be: Ig gamma 1 heavy chains and kappa light chains. This monoclonal antibody has been used to screen glutathione-insulin transhydrogenase in various rat tissue extracts (liver, fat, heart, testis, spleen, lung and kidney) following separation on NaDodSO4/urea polyacrylamide disc-gel electrophoresis and electrophoretic transfer to nitrocellulose. Screening with the monoclonal antibody showed the presence of one immunoreactive protein band equal in molecular weight to that of purified rat liver GIT (Mr 53,000) in extracts of all tissues studied and a second immunoreactive protein band of lower molecular weight (Mr 49,000) in spleen and lung tissue extracts. Separation of these two proteins by HPLC using a TSK-DEAE column demonstrated that both proteins exhibit insulin degrading activity. These data indicate that GIT may occur in multiple forms in some tissues.