Secretory expression of E2 main antigen domain of CSFV C strain and the establishment of indirect ELISA assay

The sequence encoding an E2 main antigen glycoprotein of the C strain of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) was highly expressed in the host cell E. coli BL21-CodonPlus (DE3)-RIL using the pGEX-4T-1 expression vector and the soluble recombinant product was purified with Glutathione Sepharose TM<'4B> by centrifugation. The soluble recombinant protein showed good immune reactions and was confirmed by Western blot using anti-CSFV-specific antibodies. Then an indirect ELISA with the purified E2 protein as the coating antigen was established to detect antibody against CSFV. The result revealed that the optimal concentration of coated antigen was 0.6 μg/well and the optimal dilution of serum was 1:80. The positive cut-off value of this ELISA assay was OD<,tested serum>/OD<,negative serum>≥2.1- The E2-ELISA method was evaluated by comparison with the indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT). When a total of 100 field serum samples were tested the sensitivity and specificity were 90.3% and 94.7% respectively. Specificity analysis showed that there were no cross-reactions between BVD serum and the purified E2 protein in the E2-ELISA.     

Construction, screening and identification of a phage display antibody library against the Eimeria acervulina merozoite

A single-chain antibody library against Eimeria acervulina merozoites was constructed by phage display approach. Antibody-displaying phage was selected in four panning rounds against cryopreserved E. acervulina merozoites. Five clones were randomly selected from the fourth panning round, and their nucleotide sequences were aligned and compared to mouse germ-line sequences. Soluble antibody was produced in a non-suppressor Escherichia coli strain, purified by protein A affinity chromatography, and characterized by Western-blotting. Immunofluorescence assay showed localization of the produced recombinant antibody fragment on the surface E. acervulina merozoites. These resultant antibody fragments showed high specificity and binding capacity for soluble antigens and intact fixed merozoites which seems promising as diagnostic, therapeutic and/or vaccine tools against coccidiosis.     

A New Sandwich ELISA for Quantification of Thymidine Kinase 1 Protein Levels in Sera from Dogs with Different Malignancies Can Aid in Disease Management

Thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) is a DNA precursor enzyme whose expression is closely correlated with cell proliferation and cell turnover. Sensitive serum TK1 activity assays have been used for monitoring and prognosis of hematological malignancies in both humans and dogs. Here we describe the development of a specific sandwich TK1-ELISA for the quantification of TK1 protein levels in sera from dogs with different malignancies. A combination of rabbit polyclonal anti-dog TK1 antibody and a mouse monoclonal anti-human TK1 antibody was used. Different concentrations of recombinant canine TK1 was used as standard. Clinical evaluation of the ELISA was done by using sera from 42 healthy dogs, 43 dogs with hematological tumors and 55 with solid tumors. An established [³H]-dThd phosphorylation assay was used to determine the TK1 activity levels in the same sera. The mean TK1 activities in dogs with hematological tumors were significantly higher than those found in healthy dogs. In agreement with earlier studies, no significant difference was observed in serum TK1 activities between healthy dogs and dogs with solid tumors. However, the mean TK1 protein levels determined by new TK1-ELISA were significantly higher not only in hematological tumors but also in solid tumors compared to healthy dogs (mean ± SD = 1.30 ± 1.16, 0.67 ± 0.55 and 0.27± 0.10 ng/mL, respectively). Moreover, TK1-ELISA had significantly higher ability to distinguish lymphoma cases from healthy based on receiver operating characteristic analyses (area under the curve, AUC, of 0.96) to that of the activity assay (AUC, 0.84). Furthermore, fluctuations in TK1 protein levels during the course of chemotherapy in dogs with lymphoma closely associated with clinical outcome. Overall, the TK1-ELISA showed significant linear correlation with the TK1 activity assay (r _s = 0.6, p<0.0001). Thus, the new TK1-ELISA has sufficient sensitivity and specificity for routine clinical use in veterinary oncology.     

Toxoplasma gondii: serological characterization and immunogenicity of recombinant surface antigen 2 (SAG2) expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris

The full length surface antigen 2 (SAG2) gene of the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii was cloned and intracellularly expressed in the Pichia pastoris expression system. The molecular weight of the expressed recombinant SAG2 (36 kDa) was much larger than the native SAG2 (22 kDa). This discrepancy in size was due to hyperglycosylation, as deglycosylation assay reduced the size of the recombinant SAG2 to 22 kDa. Despite being hyperglycosylated, the recombinant SAG2 reacted strongly with pooled anti-Toxoplasma human serum, pooled anti-Toxoplasma mouse serum and a SAG2-specific monoclonal antibody. The glycosylated recombinant SAG2 was further evaluated in Western blot and in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using 80 human serum samples, including confirmed early acute (IgM positive, IgG negative; n = 20), acute (IgM positive, IgG positive; n = 20) and chronic (IgM negative, IgG positive; n = 20) toxoplasmosis patients, and toxoplasmosis negative control patients (n = 20). Results of the Western blot showed that the recombinant SAG2 reacted with all 60 samples of the toxoplasmosis cases but not with the Toxoplasma-negative samples. The sensitivity of in-house ELISA was 80%, 95% and 100% for early acute, acute and chronic patients’ serum samples, respectively. Vaccination study showed that serum from mice immunised with the glycosylated recombinant SAG2 reacted specifically with the native SAG2 of T. gondii. The mice were significantly protected against lethal challenge with live T. gondii RH strain tachyzoites (P < 0.01) and their survival time was increased compared to controls. Therefore, the present study shows that the P. pastoris-derived recombinant SAG2 was specific and suitable for use as antigen for detecting anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies. The vaccination study showed that recombinant SAG2 protein was immunoprotective in mice against lethal challenge.     

Single chain variable fragment antibodies selected by phage display against the sporozoite surface antigen S16 of Cryptosporidium parvum

Two human single chain variable fragment (scFv) libraries were used to select clones that bound to the surface glycoprotein S16 of Cryptosporidium parvum. Panning of the Tomlinson libraries I and J resulted in the isolation of nine distinct clones. Of the four clones which had full-length scFv, three contained stop codons. The remaining five clones were truncated, with four missing the heavy chain, and one missing most of the light chain. The full-length clones exhibited better binding to native C. parvum proteins and recombinant S16 than the truncated clones, with the exception of one truncated clone. None of the selected clones cross-reacted with Giardia lamblia, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pyogenes, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus or another immunogenic target of C. parvum, P23. Clones expressed as the soluble scFv-gIIIp construct were able to detect C. parvum native proteins and sporozoites. Panning from naïve libraries was an useful method for isolation and identification of recombinant antibodies that have the potential for use in pathogen detection and immunotherapy.     

Expression of Coat Protein of an Ordinary Strain of Potato virus Y in Escherichia coli and Production of Polyclonal Antibodies for Diagnosis

The coat protein gene (CP) of an ordinary strain of Potato virus Y (PVY^O) was cloned into the expression vector, pET‐28a(+). The insert was sequenced and analysis showed that the CP gene was in frame with intact N‐terminal 6X histidine tags. An approximately 35 kDa recombinant fusion protein was observed in inclusion bodies of induced Escherichia coli BL21 cells. This fusion protein was purified and used as antigen to raise polyclonal antibodies in rabbits. In Western blot and dot blot immuno‐binding assay (DIBA), both PVY^O‐CP IgG and PVY^O IgG strongly reacted with the recombinant CP. The PVY^O‐CP IgG could detect PVY^O in infected samples up to 1 : 3200 dilutions. A PVY^O‐CP ELISA kit was prepared and compared with conventional ELISA kit based on purified virus particles (PVY^O ELISA kit). The PVY^O‐CP ELISA kit consistently detected the PVY^O in DAS‐ELISA of field samples and was as effective as PVY^O ELISA kit.     

Tissue distribution and characterization of predominant hemolymph carrier proteins from Dermacentor variabilis and Ornithodoros parkeri

The tissue distribution of the predominant hemolymph protein found throughout tick development was examined in the hard tick, Dermacentor variabilis, and in the soft tick, Ornithodoros parkeri. In D. variabilis, the predominant (purified) hemolymph protein was a lipoglycoheme-carrier protein (DvCP) with a molecular weight of 200 K. A protein with a similar mobility on native-PAGE was found in fat body, salivary gland, muscle and ovary from partially fed females which was most abundant in the plasma and salivary gland. DvCP from plasma, salivary gland and fat body of partially fed females consisted of two subunits on SDS-PAGE (98 and 92 K). In replete females, only salivary gland exhibited protein subunits equivalent to hemolymph CP. CP in salivary gland and fat body stained positive for lipids. The concentration of CP in tissues varied between partially fed and replete females, indicating a difference in the expression and/or sequestration of CP during adult development. The predominant hemolymph carrier protein from O. parkeri (OpCP) was purified to homogeneity for the first time and is presumed to have similar functions to CP from D. variabilis. Purified OpCP exhibited a molecular weight of 668 K by native-PAGE. Unlike CP from D. variabilis, OpCP was not detected in fat body or salivary gland tissues but occurred abundantly in coxal fluid. By SDS-PAGE, purified hemolymph OpCP consisted of two major subunits (114 and 93 K) and a less abundant protein with an apparent molecular weight of 48 K. Purified native OpCP was a lipoprotein like DvCP. A spectral analysis of purified OpCP failed to demonstrate the presence of heme like that found for CP from D. variabilis, purified by the same methods. However, plasma from O. parkeri contained heme with a λ_max of 410 nm.     

猪细小病毒VP2蛋白主要抗原域间接ELISA方法的建立及初步应用

将已获得的含猪细小病毒VP2蛋白主要抗原域编码基因VP2I重组酵母菌株在优化的条件下进行诱导表达,表达产物蛋白含量达227.6μg/mL,在此基础上以重组蛋白作为包被抗原初步建立了检测猪细小病毒抗体水平的间接ELISA方法,并对该方法进行了优化,结果表明抗原最佳包被浓度5.69μg/mL,而血清最佳稀释倍数为1:80。阳性标准初步定为：OD待测样品＞0.5,且OD待测样品/OD阴性血清＞2.0。采用iVP2I-ELISA对猪血清样品进行检测,结果显示iVP2I-ELISA与HI试验的符合率为97.2%,与国外同类试剂盒的符合率达到91.2%。     

Production of Polyclonal Antibodies Using Recombinant Coat Protein of Papaya ringspot virus and their Use in Immunodiagnosis

Production of polyclonal antibodies requires large amount of purified virus that can be avoided by the use of recombinant coat protein (CP). Recombinant CP of Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) was thus used for the production of polyclonal antibodies as the virus purification from papaya tissues provides low virus yields. CP was expressed as a fusion protein (～72 kD) containing a fragment of E. coli maltose binding protein. Polyclonal antibodies from rabbits immunized with the fusion protein, successfully detected natural infection of PRSV in papaya and cucurbits samples collected from different locations at 1:4000 dilution in direct antigen-coated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.     

Sandwich Enzyme Immunoassay for Rat Retinol-Binding Protein Using Antibody against Recombinant Antigen and Its Application

The development of a sandwich enzyme immunoassay for rat retinol-binding protein using molecular biological techniques was described. Rat retinol-binding protein gene cloned by the PCR method was expressed by a fusion vector pEZZI8 in Escherichia coli strain HB101. A recombinant retinol-binding protein fused with IgG-binding domain ZZ of protein A was purified with IgG-Sepharose. Antibody against the recombinant protein was found to be specific to rat retinol-binding protein in plasma by immunoblot analysis. Affinity-purified anti-recombinant protein IgG was biotinylated and used for the sandwich enzyme immunoassay. In this assay, the measurable range is 1.9-60 ng/ml and the coefficients of variation within and between the assay series (assay range: 4-30 ng/ml) are 4.30 ± 4.33 and 5.32 ± 1.45%, respectively. Cross-reactivity of the immunoassay was examined using bovine, human, and mouse serum. There was a cross-reaction only with mouse serum. In an in vitro experiment, retinol-binding protein produced by rat hepatocytes could be measured by the sandwich enzyme immunoassay.     

Comparative Sensitivity of PCR Primer Sets for Detection of Cryptosporidium parvum

Improved methods for detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts in environmental and clinical samples are urgently needed to improve detection of cryptosporidiosis. We compared the sensitivity of 7 PCR primer sets for detection of Cryptosporidium parvum. Each target gene was amplified by PCR or nested PCR with serially diluted DNA extracted from purified C. parvum oocysts. The target genes included Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein (COWP), small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA), and random amplified polymorphic DNA. The detection limit of the PCR method ranged from 10³ to 10⁴ oocysts, and the nested PCR method was able to detect 10⁰ to 10² oocysts. A second-round amplification of target genes showed that the nested primer set specific for the COWP gene proved to be the most sensitive one compared to the other primer sets tested in this study and would therefore be useful for the detection of C. parvum.     

Fulminant cryptosporidiosis associated with digestive adenocarcinoma in SCID mice infected with Cryptosporidium parvum TUM1 strain

We recently demonstrated that Cryptosporidium parvum IOWA strain induces in situ ileo-caecal adenocarcinoma in an animal model. Herein, the ability of another C. parvum strain to induce digestive neoplasia in dexamethasone-treated SCID mice was explored. SCID mice infected with C. parvum TUM1 strain developed a fulminant cryptosporidiosis associated with intramucosal adenocarcinoma, which is considered an early histological sign of invasive cancer. Both evidence of a role of C. parvum in adenocarcinoma induction and the extended prevalence of cryptosporidiosis worldwide, suggest that the risk of C. parvum-induced gastro-intestinal cancer in humans should be assessed.     

Production of a polyclonal antibody against recombinant goldfish prolactin and demonstration of its usefulness in a non-competitive antigen-capture ELISA

The cDNA encoding the goldfish (Carassius auratus) prolactin was expressed in Escherichia coli using the pRSETA expression vector. The recombinant goldfish prolactin (gfPRL) produced was a fusion protein containing a hexahistidyl sequence, which facilitated its purification on a Ni²⁺ column. The fusion protein was overexpressed in the bacteria as inclusion bodies and was successfully purified under denaturing conditions by one-step affinity chromatography. Repeated immunization of rabbits against the purified recombinant gfPRL allowed the production of a high-titer polyclonal antiserum. The IgG fraction of the antiserum was isolated on an immobilized Protein A–agarose column. The antibody recognized recombinant gfPRL, but not recombinant goldfish growth hormone (gfGH) or goldfish somatolactin (gfSL) on Western analyses. The purified antibody was able to recognize gfPRL, but not gfGH or gfSL, in a non-competitive antigen-capture ELISA. The assay was applied in monitoring the purification of native PRL from goldfish pituitaries.     

鸭瘟病毒gB蛋白N端主要抗原域的表达及间接ELISA检测

在分析鸭瘟病毒gB蛋白抗原性的基础上,设计一对引物克隆gB蛋白N端抗原性较好的抗原域编码基因.将克隆的基因定向插入pET-32a的EcoR Ⅰ和HindⅢ之间,构建了gB蛋白主要抗原域原核表达载体pET-gB1.将pET-gB1质粒转化BL(21)宿主菌后,对培养和表达条件进行了优化,实现了DPV gB蛋白主要抗原域的高效表达.免疫印迹试验表明获得的表达产物具有良好的反应原性.应用His·Bind亲和层析柱纯化重组DPV gB蛋白,以纯化的重组gB1蛋白作为检测抗原,初步建立了检测鸭瘟病毒抗体的igB1-ELISA.结果表明,抗原的最佳包被浓度为6.5μg/mL,血清的最佳稀释度为1∶80,阳性标准初步定为:待检血清OD490＞0.4,且待检血清OD490/阴性血清OD490＞2.应用igB1-ELISA对鸭血清样品进行检测,结果表明igB1-ELISA与全病毒包被的iDPV-ELISA符合率达到95.6%.     

金黄色葡萄球菌isdb基因的克隆表达及其小鼠免疫试验

为了研究金黄色葡萄球菌表面Isdb蛋白的免疫原性,应用PCR方法扩增出金黄色葡萄球菌Wood46株的isdb 基因并进行序列分析,再将isdb 基因插入到pET32-a(+) 载体上,构建了pET32-a(+)-isdb重组质粒,将重组质粒转化到宿主菌大肠埃希菌BL21中并诱导表达和纯化Isdb蛋白。用纯化的Isdb蛋白免疫小鼠,检测小鼠血清中抗体水平;在二次免疫之后的第2周,用金黄色葡萄球菌Wood46、HLJ23-1株对小鼠攻毒,每组8只小鼠。研究结果发现：isdb基因在不同菌株中高度保守;Isdb蛋     

Polymerase chain reaction–hybridization method using urease gene sequences for high-throughput Ureaplasma urealyticum and Ureaplasma parvum detection and differentiation

In this article, we discuss the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–hybridization assay that we developed for high-throughput simultaneous detection and differentiation of Ureaplasma urealyticum and Ureaplasma parvum using one set of primers and two specific DNA probes based on urease gene nucleotide sequence differences. First, U. urealyticum and U. parvum DNA samples were specifically amplified using one set of biotin-labeled primers. Furthermore, amine-modified DNA probes, which can specifically react with U. urealyticum or U. parvum DNA, were covalently immobilized to a DNA–BIND plate surface. The plate was then incubated with the PCR products to facilitate sequence-specific DNA binding. Horseradish peroxidase–streptavidin conjugation and a colorimetric assay were used. Based on the results, the PCR–hybridization assay we developed can specifically differentiate U. urealyticum and U. parvum with high sensitivity (95%) compared with cultivation (72.5%). Hence, this study demonstrates a new method for high-throughput simultaneous differentiation and detection of U. urealyticum and U. parvum with high sensitivity. Based on these observations, the PCR–hybridization assay developed in this study is ideal for detecting and discriminating U. urealyticum and U. parvum in clinical applications.     

Immunodiagnosis of clonorchiasis using a recombinant antigen

A cDNA expression library of Clonorchis sinensis adult worm was constructed, and screened out immunologically. One clone, pBCs31, was selected in view of its predominant reactivity with an experimentally infected rabbit serum. Recombinant C. sinensis antigen with 28 kDa as a β-galactosidase fusion protein produced in Escherichia coli was identified by immunoblot analysis. The cloned gene was composed of 16 copies of a 30 base pair repeat and an additional 320 bases. The deduced amino acid sequence of the tandem repeat was AQPPKSGDGG. On RNA slot blot analysis. C. sinensis adult worm RNA showed a positive reaction with the cloned gene. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a purified recombinant antigen of pBCs31 showed high specificity for diagnosis of clonorchiasis.     

猪口蹄疫病毒VP1结构蛋白抗体间接ELISA方法的建立

将口蹄疫病毒(FMDV)的VP1基因,通过pPROex-HT表达载体在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中成功表达,获得大小为31ku的融合蛋白,Western blot检测证实表达的该蛋白具有良好的生物学活性。以纯化的融合蛋白为抗原建立了猪FMDV VP1蛋白间接ELISA检测方法。通过对80份田间血清样品的检测表明,该方法与FMDV液相阻断ELISA（国标试剂盒）的总符合率为96.25%,表明建立的VP1蛋白间接ELISA检测方法具有很好的特异性和敏感性。     

Polyclonal Antibodies to the Bacterially Expressed Coat Protein of Faba Bean Necrotic Yellows Virus

Specific rabbit polyclonal antibodies against bacterially expressed coat protein of Faba bean necrotic yellows virus (FBNYV, genus Nanovirus) were produced using a recombinant DNA approach. The FBNYV capsid protein (CP) gene located on component 5 was cloned in an expression vector pQE‐9 (Qiagen, QIAGEN Inc., Chatswortch, CA91311, USA). Expression of the CP with an N‐terminal hexahistidine tag in Escheri‐ chia coli M15 cells was induced by adding isopropyl‐3‐D ‐1‐thiogalactoside (IPTG) to a final concentration of 2 mM . About 8 mg of bacterially expressed CP (BE‐CP) was purified from 1 litre of bacterial liquid culture using a Ni‐NTA resin column (Qiagen). The expressed CP which migrated as a protein of approximately 23 kDa in sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) was identified by its strong reaction with polyclonal antibodies produced against FBNYV particles and 2‐5H9 FBNYV‐monoclonal in Western blots. Expressed and purified CP (SDS‐PAGE 23 kDa band) was injected into a white rabbit, using seven intramuscular injections at weekly intervals. The antiserum produced was evaluated for FBNYV detection in double antibody sandwich (DAS)‐enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), triple antibody sandwich (TAS)‐ELISA, tissue blot immunoassay (TBIA), dot blot, Western blot and goat antimouse coating (GAMC)‐ELISA using 13 different FBNYV monoclonal antibodies. The antiserum raised against the BE‐CP gave strong FBNYV‐specific TBIA reactions and very weak background reactions with non‐infected tissue, similar to those produced by monoclonal antibodies. Furthermore, BE‐CP polyclonal antibody reacted weakly with FBNYV‐infected tissue and strongly with BE‐CP in DAS‐ELISA, but not with FBNYV‐infected tissue in TAS‐ELISA when 13 detecting monoclonal antibodies were used. In addition, BE‐CP polyclonal antibody reacted strongly with BE‐CP in TAS‐ELISA only when 2‐5H9 detecting monoclonal was used. When monoclonals were used as primary antibody and BE‐CP polyclonal as detecting antibody (GAMC‐ELISA), FBNYV‐infected tissue gave moderate reactions with 2‐5H9 and strong reactions with 3‐2E9 monoclonal, whereas BE‐CP gave equally strong reactions with both monoclonals. These results showed that the BE‐CP polyclonal antibody is useful for the detection of FBNYV in infected tissue by TBIA and dot blot tests.