Localization of two epitopes of apolipoprotein A-I that are exposed on human high density lipoproteins using monoclonal antibodies and synthetic peptides

To understand the structure of apolipoprotein A-I, we have used an immunochemical approach and identified specific regions of apoA-I that may be exposed on the apoprotein as it exists on high density lipoprotein (HDL). Twelve mouse monoclonal antibodies specific for human apoA-I were generated from six fusions. Thirteen synthetic peptides of between 5 and 16 amino acid residues in length, which span the amino-terminal two-thirds of apoA-I, were tested for their ability to react with each of the 12 antibodies. In a competitive solid-phase radioimmunoassay, a synthetic peptide, which represented residues 1-15 of mature apoA-I, inhibited the binding of antibody AI-16 to immobilized HDL. Similarly, a synthetic peptide, which represented residues 90-105 of apoA-I, inhibited the binding of antibody AI-18 to immobilized HDL. Using systematic changes in the size and sequence of the oligopeptides, the limits and essential amino acid residues of these epitopes were defined. Comparisons of the slopes of the competition curves obtained with immunoreactive peptides, isolated apoA-I, and HDL verified that these two regions of apoA-I are exposed on the surface of apoA-I as it exists on native HDL.     

Epitope mapping of the human biliary amphipathic, anionic polypeptide: similarity with a calcium-binding protein isolated from gallstones and bile, and immunologic cross-reactivity with apolipoprotein A-I.

Biliary amphipathic anionic polypeptide (APF) the major protein of the pigment-lipoprotein complex in bile, and calcium-binding protein (CBP) from gallstones are both small (less than 10 kDa), highly acidic, amphipathic proteins present in bile and closely associated also with pigmented areas in human gallstones. Polyclonal antibodies against APF have shown cross-reactivity with plasma high density lipoproteins (HDL). This study examines the hypothesis that APF and CBP might be closely related or even identical, and might also share common epitopes with the larger apoA-I (23 kDa). To assess this, immunoreactivity of the three delipidated, highly purified proteins was determined against a panel of 12 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) prepared against APF and a panel of 4 MAbs against apoA-I. APF was isolated from bile by zonal ultracentrifugation. CBP was isolated from proteins precipitated from bile by CaCl2, as well as from the calcium bilirubinate shells of cholesterol gallstones, by extraction successively with methyl-t-butyl ether, methanol, and Na2EDTA, followed by Sephadex G-25 chromatography and two-stage preparative SDS-PAGE. ApoA-I was prepared by two types of chromatography: Sephacryl S200 chromatography and heparin-chromatographic immunoaffinity. Specific polyclonal antibodies to APF and apoA-I were prepared from immunized rabbits. MAbs to APF and apoA-I were prepared by immunization of mice, using standard hybridoma technique. Western blotting of APF and CBP in 15% SDS-PAGE yielded one band with an apparent molecular weight of 6.5 kDa, which, along with apoA-I, was immunostained by polyclonal antibodies to APF and apoA-I. Using 12 MAbs against APF with three types of ELISA (direct antigen binding, competitive antigen displacement, and epitope competition between antibodies), it was shown that APF and delipidated apoA-I shared six epitopes, three of which were detected also on the surface of intact HDL particles. Six other epitopes were present in APF but not apoA-I, four of which were exposed on the surface of HDL. Four MAbs against apoA-I reacted with APF and CBP. Amino acid analyses of APF and CBP were similar with 20-23% acidic and 7-11% basic amino acids and low contents of cysteine, methionine, and tyrosine; both differed from apoA-I in containing isoleucine and cysteine. Using ELISA and one MAb (no. 32) against APF, this polypeptide was detected in human plasma HDL, the pigment-lipoprotein complex in the bile of humans, dogs, and rats, and in both pigment and cholesterol gallstones.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Antibodies to the carboxyl terminus of human apolipoprotein A-I. The putative cellular binding domain of high density lipoprotein 3 and carboxyl-terminal structural homology between apolipoproteins A-I and A-II.

We have studied the binding of 125I-labeled high density lipoproteins (HDL3) to liver plasma membranes, which are thought to contain specific HDL receptor sites, using anti-peptide antibodies directed against two sites in the carboxyl-terminal region of human apoA-I. Two distinct antibody populations raised to peptides corresponding to amino acid residues 205-220 and 230-243, respectively, recognized regions of apoA-I that are exposed in the lipid environment of HDL3. However, anti-AI[230-243] IgG, but not anti-AI[205-220] IgG, recognized HDL2, suggesting that residues 205-220 of apoA-I are expressed differently in the two HDL populations. In addition, anti-AI[230-243] IgG showed strong cross-reactivity toward apoA-II. Epitope mapping studies showed that anti-AI[230-243] binds to an epitope located in the carboxyl-terminus of apoA-II, demonstrating significant structural homology between the carboxyl-terminal of apoA-II, demonstrating significant structural homology between the carboxyl-terminal regions of apoA-I and A-II, two candidate proteins for mediating the specific cellular interaction of HDL3. Fab fragments from anti-AI[205-220] and anti-AI[230-243] inhibited the binding of 125I-HDL3 to liver plasma membranes by approximately 80% and 60%, respectively. These findings are in agreement with our recent work using isolated CNBr fragments of apoA-I (Morrison, J., Fidge, N. H., and Tozuka, M. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 18780-18785), which suggest that the carboxyl-terminal region of apoA-I contains a binding domain which mediates the specific interaction of HDL3 with liver plasma membranes, possibly through the involvement of specific HDL receptors.     

Immunochemical characterization of six monoclonal antibodies to human apolipoprotein A-I: epitope mapping and expression.

We have produced and characterized six murine monoclonal antibodies to human apolipoprotein A-I named A-I-9, A-I-12, A-I-15, A-I-16, A-I-19, and A-I-57. All monoclonal antibodies were specific for apolipoprotein A-I and bound between 55% and 100% of 125I-labeled high density lipoproteins (HDL) in a fluid phase radioimmunoassay. All antibodies possessed a higher affinity to apoA-I in HDL than to free, delipidated apoA-I. Two of them, particularly A-I-12 and A-I-15, which were directed to the same or very close epitopes on the molecule, recognized very poorly the delipidated protein. Binding of apoA-I to phospholipid restored the immunoreactivity of the monoclonal antibodies to the protein suggesting that lipids play an important role in determining the immunochemical structure of apoA-I. Using CNBr fragments and synthetic peptides, the epitopes for the antibodies were mapped as follows: A-I-19, CNBr fragment 1; A-I-12 and 15, CNBr fragment 2; A-I-9 and A-I-16, CNBr fragment 3; A-I-57, CNBr fragment 4. Antibody A-I-57 failed to recognized a mutant form of apoA-I, A-IMilano (Arg173----Cys) by immunoblotting and by competitive radioimmunoassay demonstrating that substitution of a single amino acid in human apoA-I may cause the loss of an antigenic determinant.     

Antigenic and mutational analyses of herpes simplex virus glycoprotein B reveal four functional regions

Glycoprotein B (gB), along with gD, gH, and gL, is essential for herpes simplex virus (HSV) entry. The crystal structure of the gB ectodomain revealed it to be an elongated multidomain trimer. We generated and characterized a panel of 67 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Eleven of the MAbs had virus-neutralizing activity. To organize gB into functional regions within these domains, we localized the epitopes recognized by the entire panel of MAbs and mapped them onto the crystal structure of gB. Most of the MAbs were directed to continuous or discontinuous epitopes, but several recognized discontinuous epitopes that showed some resistance to denaturation, and we refer to them as pseudo-continuous. Each category contained some MAbs with neutralizing activity. To map continuous epitopes, we used overlapping peptides that spanned the gB ectodomain and measured binding by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To identify discontinuous and pseudocontinuous epitopes, a purified form of the ectodomain of gB, gB(730t), was cleaved by alpha-chymotrypsin into two major fragments comprising amino acids 98 to 472 (domains I and II) and amino acids 473 to 730 (major parts of domains III, IV, and V). We also constructed a series of gB truncations to augment the other mapping strategies. Finally, we used biosensor analysis to assign the MAbs to competition groups. Together, our results identified four functional regions: (i) one formed by residues within domain I and amino acids 697 to 725 of domain V; (ii) a second formed by residues 391 to 410, residues 454 to 475, and a less-defined region within domain II; (iii) a region containing residues of domain IV that lie close to domain III; and (iv) the first 12 residues of the N terminus that were not resolved in the crystal structure. Our data suggest that multiple domains are critical for gB function.     

Expression of human apolipoprotein A-I epitopes in high density lipoproteins and in serum

The expression and immunoreactivity of apolipoprotein (apo) A-I epitopes in high density lipoproteins (HDL) and serum has been investigated using two series of monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) which have been described elsewhere. Series 1 Mabs, identified as 3D4, 6B8, and 5G6, were obtained by immunization and screening with apoA-I, and series 2 Mabs, identified as 2F1, 4H1, 3G10, 4F7, and 5F6, were obtained by immunization and screening with HDL. These Mabs were characterized with respect to their binding to HDL particles in solution. In series 2 Mabs, 2F1, 3G10, and 4F7, which react with apoA-I CNBr-fragments 1 and 2, could precipitate 100% of 125I-labeled HDL, while 4H1 and 5F6, which react with CNBr fragments 1 and 3, precipitated 90 and 60% of 125I-labeled HDL, respectively. Therefore, three distinct epitopes mapped to CNBr fragments 1 and 2 have been identified which are expressed on all HDL particles, indicating that several antigenic do mains exist on apoA-I which have the same conformation on all apoA-I-containing lipoproteins. The Mabs reacting at these sites have significantly higher affinity constants for 125I-labeled HDL than those that failed to precipitate 100% of HDL. This suggests that the high affinity Mabs react with apoA-I epitopes that are both expressed on all lipoproteins and located in thermo-dynamically stable regions of the molecules. All Mabs from series 1 precipitated 35% or less of 125I-labeled HDL prepared from freshly collected serum, but the proportion of HDL particles expressing the epitopes for these Mabs doubled or more upon serum storage at 4 degrees C. The time course of the alteration of apoA-I antigen in vitro was measured in three normolipemic donors. Upon storage of serum at 4 degrees C, the immunoreactivity of series 2 Mabs (4H1, 3G10) remained unchanged. However, the immunoreactivity of series 1 Mab 3D4 increased linearly at 38%/day for 4 weeks and by 12 weeks had plateaued at about 280-fold compared to day 1. The immunoreactivity of other series 1 Mabs also increased significantly with time in vitro. This process was partially inhibited in the presence of EDTA and by addition of antioxidants, however, the exact molecular nature of this in vitro alteration of apoA-I antigen was not identified.     

NO signaling in exercise training-induced anti-apoptotic effects in human neutrophils

Substrates for matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-14 were previously identified in human plasma using proteomic techniques. One putative MMP-14 substrate was apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), a major component of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). In vitro cleavage assays showed that lipid-free apoA-I is a more accessible substrate for MMP-14 compared to lipid-bound apoA-I, and that MMP-14 is more prone to digest apoA-I than MMP-3. The 28-kDa apoA-I was cleaved into smaller fragments of 27, 26, 25, 22, and 14-kDa by MMP-14. ApoA-I sites cleaved by MMP-14 were determined by isotope labeling of C-termini derived from the cleavage and analysis of the labeled peptides by mass spectrometry, along with N-terminal sequencing of the fragments. Cleavage of apoA-I by MMP-14 resulted in a loss of ability to form HDL. Our results suggest that cleavage of lipid-free apoA-I by MMP-14 may contribute to reduced HDL formation, and this may be occurring during the development of various vascular diseases as lipid metabolism is disrupted.     

Location, exposure, and conservation of neutralizing and nonneutralizing epitopes on human immunodeficiency virus type 2 SU glycoprotein.

Eleven rat monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that recognize the SU glycoprotein of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) ROD were produced and characterized. Binding sites for eight of these MAbs were mapped to epitopes within the Cl, V1/V2, C2, and V3 envelope regions. The three other MAbs defined at least two conformation-dependent, strain-specific epitopes outside Vl/V2, V3, and the CD4-binding site. The MAbs were used to probe the tertiary structure of oligomeric envelope glycoprotein expressed on the surfaces of infected cells. Epitopes at the apices of V2 and V3 were exposed on the native molecule, whereas other epitopes on V1/V2, Cl, and C2 were hidden. The MAbs defined three neutralization targets on exposed domains: two linear epitopes in the V2 and the V3 loops and one conformational epitope outside V1, V2, and V3.     

Epitope mapping of two immunodominant domains of gp41, the transmembrane protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1, using ten human monoclonal antibodies.

Immunogenic regions of the gp41 transmembrane protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) were previously mapped by examining polyclonal sera from HIV-infected patients and rodent polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to peptides of gp41. To define the epitopes within these regions to which infected humans respond during the course of infection, the specificity of human MAbs to these regions had to be studied. Using 10 human MAbs identified initially by their reactivity to whole gp41 in HIV-1 lysates, the epitopes within the immunodominant region of gp41 and within a second immunogenic region of gp41 have been mapped. Thus, five MAbs (from five different patients) to the immunodominant domain of gp41 in the vicinity of the cysteines at positions 598 and 604 (hereinafter designated cluster I) reacted with a stretch of 11 amino acids from positions 590 to 600. Four of these five MAbs were reactive with linear epitopes, while one MAb required the conformation conferred by the disulfide bridge between the aforementioned cysteines. Three MAbs to cluster I revealed dissociation constants ranging from 10(-6) to 10(-8) M, depending on the MAb tested and the size of the synthetic or recombinant peptide used in the assay. Five additional MAbs reacted with a second immunogenic region between positions 644 and 663 (designated cluster II). Four of these five MAbs were specific for conformational determinants. Titration of sera from HIV-infected patients showed that there was about 100-fold more antibody to cluster I than to cluster II in patients' sera, confirming the immunodominance of cluster I.     

Conserved and exposed epitopes on intact, native, primary human immunodeficiency virus type 1 virions of group M

We have examined the exposure and conservation of antigenic epitopes on the surface envelope glycoproteins (gp120 and gp41) of 26 intact, native, primary human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) group M virions of clades A to H. For this, 47 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) derived from HIV-1-infected patients were used which were directed at epitopes of gp120 (specifically V2, C2, V3, the CD4-binding domain [CD4bd], and C5) and epitopes of gp41 (clusters I and II). Of the five regions within gp120 examined, MAbs bound best to epitopes in the V3 and C5 regions. Only moderate to weak binding was observed by most MAbs to epitopes in the V2, C2, and CD4bd regions. Two anti-gp41 cluster I MAbs targeted to a region near the tip of the hydrophilic immunodominant domain bound strongly to >90% of isolates tested. On the other hand, binding of anti-gp41 cluster II MAbs was poor to moderate at best. Binding was dependent on conformational as well as linear structures on the envelope proteins of the virions. Further studies of neutralization demonstrated that MAbs that bound to virions did not always neutralize but all MAbs that neutralized bound to the homologous virus. This study demonstrates that epitopes in the V3 and C5 regions of gp120 and in the cluster I region of gp41 are well exposed on the surface of intact, native, primary HIV-1 isolates and that cross-reactive epitopes in these regions are shared by many viruses from clades A to H. However, only a limited number of MAbs to these epitopes on the surface of HIV-1 isolates can neutralize primary isolates.     

Identification of domains in apoA-I susceptible to proteolysis by mast cell chymase. Implications for HDL function

When stimulated, rat serosal mast cells degranulate and secrete a cytoplasmic neutral protease, chymase. We studied the fragmentation of apolipoprotein (apo) A-I during proteolysis of HDL(3) by chymase, and examined how chymase-dependent proteolysis interfered with the binding of eight murine monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) against functional domains of apoA-I. Size exclusion chromatography of HDL(3) revealed that proteolysis for up to 24 h did not alter the integrity of the alpha-migrating HDL, whereas a minor peak containing particles of smaller size with prebeta mobility disappeared after as little as 15 min of incubation. At the same time, generation of a large (26 kDa) polypeptide containing the N-terminus of apoA-I was detected. This large fragment and other medium-sized fragments of apoA-I produced after prolonged treatment with chymase were found to be associated with the alphaHDL; meanwhile, small lipid-free peptides were rapidly produced. Incubation of HDL(3) with chymase inhibited binding of Mab A-I-9 (specific for prebeta(1)HDL) most rapidly (within 15 min) of the eight studied Mabs. This rapid loss of binding was paralleled by a similar reduction in the ability of HDL(3) to induce high-affinity efflux of cholesterol from macrophage foam cells, indicating that proteolysis had destroyed an epitope that is critical for this function. In sharp contrast, prolonged degradation of HDL(3) by chymase failed to reduce the ability of HDL(3) to activate LCAT, even though it led to modification of three epitopes in the central region of apoA-I that are involved in lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activation. This differential sensitivity of the two key functions of HDL(3) to the proteolytic action of mast cell chymase is compatible with the notion that, in reverse cholesterol transport, intactness of apoA-I is essential for prebeta(1)HDL to promote the high-affinity efflux of cellular cholesterol, but not for the alpha-migrating HDL particles to activate LCAT.     

Epitope mapping of herpes simplex virus type 2 gH/gL defines distinct antigenic sites, including some associated with biological function

The gH/gL complex plays an essential role in virus entry and cell-cell spread of herpes simplex virus (HSV). Very few immunologic reagents were previously available to either identify important functional regions or gain information about structural features of this complex. Therefore, we generated and characterized a panel of 31 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against HSV type 2 (HSV-2) gH/gL. Fourteen MAbs bound to a conformation-dependent epitope of the gH2/gL2 complex, and all blocked virus spread. The other 17 MAbs recognized linear epitopes of gH (12) or gL (5). Interestingly, two of the gL MAbs and six of the gH MAbs were type common. Overlapping synthetic peptides were used to map MAbs against linear epitopes. These data, along with results of competition analyses and functional assays, assigned the MAbs to groups representing eight distinct antigenic sites on gH (I to VIII) and three sites on gL (A, B, and C). Of most importance, the MAbs with biological activity mapped either to site I of gH2 (amino acids 19 to 38) or to sites B and C of gL2 (residues 191 to 210). Thus, these MAbs constitute a novel set of reagents, including the first such reagents against gH2 and gL2 as well as some that recognize both serotypes of each protein. Several recognize important functional domains of gH2, gL2, or the complex. We suggest a common grouping scheme for all of the known MAbs against gH/gL of both HSV-1 and HSV-2.     

Identification of T-helper epitopes in the VP1 capsid protein of poliovirus.

Poliovirus-specific T lymphocytes were isolated from virus-immunized mice of different H-2 haplotypes. Immunological characterization of this population indicates that the effector population involved in the observed poliovirus-specific proliferative response was that of CD4-positive T-helper cells. Proliferative responses also were induced within these T-lymphocyte populations upon stimulation with either purified VP1 capsid protein or VP1 synthetic peptides. By using these synthetic peptides, several T-helper epitopes were identified. Generally, proliferative responses were observed in three regions of VP1. Two regions spanning VP1 residues 86 to 120 and 201 to 241 were recognized by T lymphocytes from BALB/c (H-2d), C57BL/6 (H-2b), and C3H/HeJ (H-2k) backgrounds. Analyses using synthetic peptides of nonoverlapping sequences indicated that the region spanning residues 201 to 241 may contain several T epitopes and may account for the strong proliferative response observed. In addition, for two of the three haplotypes examined, T epitopes were observed within residues 7 to 24 of VP1. Additional epitopes which appeared to be restricted to specific H-2 backgrounds were identified. T epitopes within VP1 that are common between different strains of mice appeared to lie within previously identified neutralizing antigenic sites in poliovirus.     

Apolipoprotein A-I mimetic peptide helix number and helix linker influence potentially anti-atherogenic properties

We hypothesize that apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) mimetic peptides better mimicking the punctuated alpha-helical repeats of full-length apoA-I are more anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic. This study compares a monomeric apoA-I mimetic helix to three different tandem helix peptides in vitro: 4F (18 mer), 4F-proline-4F (37 mer, Pro), 4F-alanine-4F (37 mer, Ala), and 4F-KVEPLRA-4F [the human apoA-I 4/5 interhelical sequence (IHS), 43 mer]. All peptides cleared turbid lipid suspensions, with 4F being most effective. In contrast to lipid clearance, tandem peptides were more effective at remodeling mouse HDL. All four peptides displaced apoA-I and apoE from the HDL, leaving a larger particle containing apoA-II and peptide. Peptide-remodeled HDL particles show no deficit in ABCG1 cholesterol efflux despite the loss of the majority of apoA-I. Tandem peptides show greater ability to efflux cholesterol from lipid-loaded murine macrophages, compared with 4F. Although 4F inhibited oxidation of purified mouse LDL, the Ala tandem peptide increased oxidation. We compared several tandem 4F-based peptides with monomeric 4F in assays that correlated with suggested anti-inflammatory/anti-atherogenic pathways. Tandem 4F-based peptides, which better mimic full-length apoA-I, exceed monomeric 4F in HDL remodeling and cholesterol efflux but not LDL oxidation protection. In addition, apoA-I mimetic peptides may increase reverse cholesterol transport through both ABCA1 as well as ABCG1 pathways.     

ApoA-I mimetic peptides promote pre-β HDL formation in vivo causing remodeling of HDL and triglyceride accumulation at higher dose

Reverse cholesterol transport promoted by HDL-apoA-I is an important mechanism of protection against atherosclerosis. We have previously identified apoA-I mimetic peptides by synthesizing analogs of the 22 amino acid apoA-I consensus sequence (apoA-I(cons)) containing non-natural aliphatic amino acids. Here we examined the effect of different aliphatic non-natural amino acids on the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of apoA-I mimetic peptides. These novel apoA-I mimetics, with long hydrocarbon chain (C(5-8)) amino acids incorporated in the amphipathic α helix of the apoA-I(cons), have the following properties: (i) they stimulate in vitro cholesterol efflux from macrophages via ABCA1; (ii) they associate with HDL and cause formation of pre-β HDL particles when incubated with human and mouse plasma; (iii) they associate with HDL and induce pre-β HDL formation in vivo, with a corresponding increase in ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux capacity ex vivo; (iv) at high dose they associate with VLDL and induce hypertriglyceridemia in mice. These results suggest our peptide design confers activities that are potentially anti-atherogenic. However a dosing regimen which maximizes their therapeutic properties while minimizing adverse effects needs to be established.     

Alteration of negatively charged residues in the 89 to 99 domain of apoA-I affects lipid homeostasis and maturation of HDL

In this study, we investigated the role of positively and negatively charged amino acids within the 89-99 region of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), which are highly conserved in mammals, on plasma lipid homeostasis and the biogenesis of HDL. We previously showed that deletion of the 89-99 region of apoA-I increased plasma cholesterol and phospholipids, but it did not affect plasma triglycerides. Functional studies using adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of two apoA-I mutants in apoA-I-deficient mice showed that apoA-I[D89A/E91A/E92A] increased plasma cholesterol and caused severe hypertriglyceridemia. HDL levels were reduced, and approximately 40% of the apoA-I was distributed in VLDL/IDL. The HDL consisted of mostly spherical and a few discoidal particles and contained preβ1 and α4-HDL subpopulations. The lipid, lipoprotein, and HDL profiles generated by the apoA-I[K94A/K96A] mutant were similar to those of wild-type (WT) apoA-I. Coexpression of apoA-I[D89A/E91A/E92A] and human lipoprotein lipase abolished hypertriglyceridemia, restored in part the α1,2,3,4 HDL subpopulations, and redistributed apoA-I in the HDL2/HDL3 regions, but it did not prevent the formation of discoidal HDL particles. Physicochemical studies showed that the apoA-I[D89A/E91A/E92A] mutant had reduced α-helical content and effective enthalpy of thermal denaturation, increased exposure of hydrophobic surfaces, and increased affinity for triglyceride-rich emulsions. We conclude that residues D89, E91, and E92 of apoA-I are important for plasma cholesterol and triglyceride homeostasis as well as for the maturation of HDL.     

Heterogeneity of apolipoprotein E epitope expression on human lipoproteins: importance for apolipoprotein E function

The conformations of apolipoproteins on the surfaces of lipoprotein particles affect their physiologic functions. The conformations of apoE on plasma lipoproteins were examined using a panel of eight anti-apoE monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). The antibodies, which reacted with the major isoforms of apoE (E2, E3, and E4), defined at least five epitopes on apoE. Proteolytic fragments and synthetic peptides of apoE were used in binding assays to assign antibody epitopes; the epitopes were all localized to the middle third of the apoE molecule. The expression of apoE epitopes on isolated apoE and on lipoproteins was probed in competitive microtiter plate immunoassays using the anti-apoE MAbs, 125I-labeled apoE as tracer, and isolated apoE, intermediate density (IDL), very low density (VLDL1-3), and high density (HDL2 and HDL3) lipoproteins as competitors. The antibodies determined the patterns of competition exhibited by the lipoprotein preparations. Antibodies of the IgM class (WU E-1, WU E-2, WU E-3) defined two sets of conformation-dependent epitopes that were assigned towards the middle and the carboxyl terminal of the middle third of apoE. Competition curves using these antibodies, apoE, and lipoproteins showed a large variability in ED50 values. MAbs WU E-4, WU E-7, and WU E-10 defined epitopes near the receptor recognition site on apoE. Competition curves demonstrated small ranges of ED50 values. MAbs WU E-11 and WU E-12, which defined epitopes toward the amino-terminal region of apoE, exhibited competition curves for apoE and lipoproteins that had consistent, but wider ranges of ED50 values. There was no strict relationship between lipoprotein flotation rates and epitope expression for any of the MAbs. Immunoaffinity chromatography of VLDL subfractions on four different MAb columns indicated that the differences in the competitive abilities of VLDL subfractions were partly due to heterogeneity of apoE epitope expression within any population of particles. VLDL particles specifically retained on two different anti-apoE MAb columns were better competitors than unretained fractions for 125I-labeled LDL binding to the apoB, E-receptor of cultured human fibroblasts, suggesting that increased accessibility of apoE on the surface of VLDL is associated with increased receptor recognition. These data suggest that individual epitopes of apoE can be modulated; epitope expressions are not determined solely by the sizes and/or densities of lipoprotein particles; and differences in apoE conformation have significant metabolic consequences.     

An apolipoprotein A-I mimetic dose-dependently increases the formation of prebeta1 HDL in human plasma

Prebeta1 HDL is the initial plasma acceptor of cell-derived cholesterol in reverse cholesterol transport. Recently, small amphipathic peptides composed of D-amino acids have been shown to mimic apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) as a precursor for HDL formation. ApoA-I mimetic peptides have been proposed to stimulate the formation of prebeta1 HDL and increase reverse cholesterol transport in apoE-null mice. The existence of a monoclonal antibody (MAb 55201) and a corresponding ELISA method that is selective for the detection of the prebeta(1) subclass of HDL provides a means of establishing a correlation between apoA-I mimetic dose and prebeta1 HDL formation in human plasma. Using this prebeta1 HDL ELISA, we demonstrate marked apoA-I mimetic dose-dependent prebeta1 HDL formation in human plasma. These results correlated with increases in band density of the plasma prebeta1 HDL, when observed by Western blotting, as a function of increased apoA-I mimetic concentration. Increased prebeta1 HDL formation was observed after as little as 1 min and was maximal within 1 h. Together, these data suggest that a high-throughput prebeta1 HDL ELISA provides a way to quantitatively measure a key component of the reverse cholesterol transport pathway in human plasma, thus providing a possible method for the identification of apoA-I mimetic molecules.     

Identification of two novel BTV16-specific B cell epitopes using monoclonal antibodies against the VP2 protein

The VP2 protein of bluetongue virus (BTV) is an important structural protein and is the principal antigen responsible for BTV serotype specificity. In this study, we mapped the reactivity of two BTV16-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and identified two novel serotype-specific linear B cell epitopes on the BTV16 VP2 protein. By screening a series of peptides derived from the BTV16 VP2 protein and expressed as mannose-binding protein fusions, we determined that the linear epitopes recognized by the VP2-specific MAbs 3 G10 and 2B4 were located within the peptides ₃₄EWSGHDVTEIPNRRMF₄₉ and ₅₄₀KNEDPYVKRTVKPIRA₅₅₅, respectively. To define the minimal region required for antibody binding within these peptide regions, a series of progressively shorter peptides were synthesized and evaluated for 3 G10 and 2B4 binding. This work defined the motifs ₃₄EWSGHDVTEIPNRRMF₄₉ and ₅₄₃DPYVKRTVK₅₅₅ as the minimal linear peptides required for 3 G10 and 2B4 binding, respectively. Alignment of amino acid sequences from a number of BTV16 strains isolated from different regions indicated that these two epitopes are highly conserved among BTV16 strains. Furthermore, these two epitopes are not conserved among other BTV serotypes or prototype members of the genus Orbivirus in the family Reoviridae, as shown by sequence alignments. The MAb reagents and linear epitopes defined here provide the basis for the development of epitope-based serotype-specific differential diagnostic tools and may be useful in the design of epitope-based vaccines.     

Antigenic characterization of Brazilian isolates of Anaplasma marginale

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