Generation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific for the human IFN-gamma receptor

Purified preparations of the human IFN-gamma R derived from placental membranes were used to produce receptor-specific murine mAb. Supernatants from growth-positive wells were screened for their ability to block binding of 125I-IFN-gamma to human placental membranes. Ten inhibitory cultures were identified. Two of these (GIR-208 and GIR-301) abrogated all binding of radioligand to either intact placental membranes or soluble, purified IFN-gamma R. Three others (GIR-72, 76 and 94) showed moderate blocking activity (65, 59, and 49%, respectively) whereas the remaining five (GIR-57, 67, 83, 109, and 153) blocked binding to a low but significant extent (20 to 40%). Specificity experiments demonstrated that the antibodies reacted with the receptor and not the ligand (IFN-gamma). None of the antibodies reacted with IFN-gamma by ELISA. Moreover, GIR-208 and GIR-301, but not isotype-matched controls, identified the receptor by Western blot analysis. GIR-208 and GIR-301 also completely abrogated binding of 125I-IFN-gamma to either mononuclear phagocytes (U937) or human fibroblasts (WISH). Competition experiments revealed that GIR-208 and GIR-301 recognized similar epitopes on the IFN-gamma R and that these (or this) epitopes were identical to or linked to the ligand binding site of the receptor. In addition, both antibodies inhibited development of IFN-gamma-dependent anti-viral activity in WISH cells in a dose-dependent fashion. These data thus indicate that the IFN-gamma R expressed on human placental cells, mononuclear phagocytes, and fibroblasts are similar.     

Generation and characterization of hamster-mouse hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies with specificity for lipopolysaccharide receptor.

Experiments are described for the partial purification of the 80-kDa LPS binding protein expressed on macrophages and lymphocytes. This partially purified Ag was used to immunize adult Armenian hamsters and splenocytes from immunized animals were fused with murine myeloma cell lines. Hybridoma cell culture supernatants containing mAb were screened by ELISA for positive binding to the immunizing Ag, murine splenocytes and the murine 70Z/3 pre B cell and for an absence of binding to sheep E. Positive clones were further screened for reciprocal competitive binding with LPS on spleen cells and ability to modulate B lymphocyte mitogenic activity. Two hybridoma cell lines secreting IgM monoclonals, termed mAb3D7 and mAb5D3, were identified that satisfied all of the selection criteria. These hybridoma cell lines were subcloned and expanded. Binding of one (mAb3D7) was abrogated by treatment of Ag with mild periodate; binding of the second (mAb5D3) was destroyed by digestion of Ag with proteinase K. Binding specificity for mAb5D3 has been confirmed by ELISA using highly purified 80-kDa protein. These mAb have been of value in establishing that the 80-kDa LPS binding protein previously identified may serve as a specific functional receptor for LPS.     

IFN-gamma/lipopolysaccharide activation of macrophages is associated with protein kinase C-dependent down-modulation of the colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor.

IFN gamma/LPS treatment increases macrophage tumoricidal and microbicidal activity and inhibits CSF-1-induced macrophage proliferation. The mechanism underlying the latter effect was investigated in the CSF-1-dependent mouse macrophage cell line, BAC-1.2F5. IFN-gamma and LPS together dramatically reduced the total number of CSF-1 receptors (CSF-1R) via selective degradation of the cell surface form. Processing and transport of intracellular CSF-1R to the cell surface were unaffected. IFN-gamma alone had no effect but significantly enhanced LPS-induced CSF-1R down-regulation. The reduction in CSF-1R number was protein kinase C-dependent and involved changes in serine phosphorylation of the receptor at different sites. CSF-1R down-modulation by this mechanism may be important in switching off the energy-consuming processes of CSF-1R-mediated proliferation and chemotaxis in activated macrophages.     

Site-directed monoclonal antibodies against the amino terminus of 124-kDa phytochrome from Avena sativa L.

Abstract Two monoclonal antibodies (AFRC MAC 184 and 185) have been raised in rats against a synthetic octadecapeptide corresponding to the N-terminus of Avena phytochrome. The peptide was conjugated to tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) for immunization and the cell lines screened by ELISA using the free peptide. Both antibodies bind to intact 124-kDa phytochrome on Western blots and in a double antibody sandwich ELISA. In the ELISA, they have an approximately four-fold higher affinity for Pr than Pfr. Conformational changes during photoconversion, therefore, involve the extreme N-terminus of the phytochrome molecule.     

The production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against enkephalins

The hybridoma technology of Kohler and Milstein (1975) was utilized to produce monoclonal antibodies against the enkephalins. Two hybridomas, AD4 and DB4, produced monoclonal antibodies of the IgG type 1 class against Leu⁵-enkephalin that were highly specific for Leu⁵- and Met⁵-enkephalin. AD4 exhibited almost equal reactivity with either Leu⁵- or Met⁵-enkephalin, whereas DB4 exhibited only a 20% cross-reactivity with Met⁵-enkephalin. The IC₅₀ of these monoclonal antibodies were approximately two orders of magnitude greater than the IC₅₀ a polyclonal antiserum against enkephalins (A206; Miller et al 1978) used routinely in many immunochemical and immunocytochemical studies.The monoclonal antibodies, AD4 and DB4, exhibited specific sequence and size requirements for binding enkephalin-related peptides. The amino acid sequence Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu or Gly-Gly-Phe-Met was essential for recognition by AD4 and DB4. However, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe which lacks Leu or Met in the fifth position did not react with our monoclonal antibodies. Moreover, enkephalin-related peptides in which the enkephalin sequence was situated at the amino terminus and which contained six or more amino acids did not react significantly with AD4 or DB4. In particular, unlike the polyclonal antiserum A206, our monoclonal antibodies do not react with dynorphins 1–6 or 1–13. However, when the monoclonal antibody (AD4) was used to localize immunohistochemically the population of enkephalinergic amacrine cells in the chicken retina, it provided a staining pattern quite comparable to that observed in previous studies (Watt et al., 1983) using the polyclonal enkephalin antiserum A206. This finding therefore demonstrates that the immunoreactive products visualized in the enkephalin-immunoreactive amacrine cells of the chicken retina with the polyclonal antiserum correspond to authentic enkephalin or peptides very closely related to the enkephalins.     

IL-12: monoclonal antibodies specific for the 40-kDa subunit block receptor binding and biologic activity on activated human lymphoblasts.

IL-12, formerly known as cytotoxic lymphocyte maturation factor, is a cytokine that stimulates proliferation of PHA-activated human peripheral blood lymphoblasts and synergizes with low concentrations of IL-2 in the induction of lymphokine-activated killer cells. IL-12 is a 75-kDa heterodimer composed of disulfide-bonded 40-kDa and 35-kDa subunits. mAb prepared against a partially purified preparation of natural IL-12 have been characterized by 1) immunoprecipitation of 125I-labeled IL-12, 2) immunodepletion of IL-12 bioactivity, 3) Western blotting of IL-12, 4) inhibition of [125I]IL-12 binding to its cellular receptor, and 5) neutralization of IL-12 bioactivity. Twenty antibodies immunoprecipitate 125I-labeled IL-12 and immunodeplete IL-12 bioactivity as assessed in the T cell proliferation and lymphokine-activated killer cell induction assays. Western blot analysis demonstrated that each antibody binds to the 75-kDa heterodimer and to the 40-kDa subunit. An IL-12R-binding assay identified 12 individual antibodies that inhibited the binding of [125I]IL-12 to its cellular receptor. Two inhibitory antibodies, 4A1 and 7B2, were tested in the neutralization assay and found to block IL-12 bioactivity whereas one noninhibitory antibody, 8E3, was shown not to neutralize IL-12 bioactivity. Antibodies 4A1 and 8E3 can simultaneously bind to the 75-kDa heterodimer demonstrating that inhibitory and noninhibitory epitopes are spatially distinct on the 40-kDa protein. The ability of antibodies specific for the 40-kDa subunit of IL-12 to block receptor binding of [125I]IL-12 and to neutralize IL-12 bioactivity suggests that localized determinants on the 40-kDa subunit may be necessary for binding to the IL-12 cellular receptor.     

Purification and characterization of the 65-kDa protein phosphorylated in murine macrophages by stimulation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide

Modification of cellular proteins via phosphorylation is known to be a major regulatory mechanism whereby external stimuli control intracellular events. We demonstrated that bacterial LPS induced a distinct set of phosphorylated protein (pp) in murine peritoneal macrophages, and that the LPS-induced pp were specifically located in cytosol and/or membrane fractions. One of the most heavily phosphorylated substrate proteins with a molecular mass of 65 kDa (pp65) was purified to homogeneity via SDS-PAGE analysis and autoradiography by sequential chromatography on Sephacryl S-200, HPLC anion exchange, and hydroxyapatite HPLC. Our pp65 is apparently the first purified LPS-induced pp, and is thought to be a novel protein. Serine residues on pp65 were found to be exclusively phosphorylated, indicating a contribution by LPS-inducible serine kinase. Interestingly, LPS-induced phosphorylation of pp65 was not observed in macrophages from a LPS-nonresponsive C3H/HeJ strain of mice, although their macrophages had about the same amounts of unphosphorylated p65 as normal macrophages when detected under Western blot analysis by using polyclonal anti-pp65 antibodies. This suggests that the functional defect of C3H/HeJ macrophages exists somewhere in the process before the pp65 phosphorylation. Moreover, the degree of the pp65 phosphorylation in macrophages stimulated with LPS or lipd A correlated well to that of cellular responses such as IL-1 production in the same macrophages. Considering these observations, the pp65 seems to play a crucial role in macrophage activation, and the studies on the structure and function of the pp65 should lead to progress in our understanding of the mechanisms of macrophage activation by LPS.     

Effective production of monoclonal antibodies against phosphatidylserine: stereo-specific recognition of phosphatidylserine by monoclonal antibody

A system based on the direct immunization of phospholipid Ag into mouse spleen has been used to produce mAb against phosphatidylserine (PS). mAb that bind to PS but not to phosphatidylcholine were selected. Remarkable frequency of the production of mAb against PS was observed with the immunization protocol. The mAb exhibited three distinct reactivity profiles ranging from highly specific to broadly cross-reactive. Among 61 hybridomas, 15 mAb were established for further analysis. The reactivities of three typical mAb, designated PS4A7, PS3A, and PSC8, are described. PS4A7 is highly specific to PS and no cross-reaction with other acidic phospholipids was observed. In the experiments using PS derivatives with a modified polar head group, PS4A7 was shown to bind to 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-L-serine (PS) but not to 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-D-serine or 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-L-homoserine, indicating that the antibody recognizes the stereo-specific configuration of serine residue in PS. PS3A binds to both PS and phosphatidylethanolamine, whereas no cross-reaction with other acidic phospholipids was observed. The analysis using the derivatives of PS and phosphatidylethanolamine shows that the antibody recognizes the amino group of the phospholipid Ag and cannot distinguish the conformational structure of serine residue in PS. PSC8 represents the family of mAb that cross-react considerably with other acidic phospholipids.     

Characterization of lipopolysaccharide from Myxococcus xanthus by use of monoclonal antibodies.

Lipopolysaccharide is a major constituent of the cell surface of the gram-negative procaryote Myxococcus xanthus. We have purified lipopolysaccharide from M. xanthus and have shown by silver staining that the lipopolysaccharide contains a heterogeneous population of molecules which migrate as a broad low-molecular-mass band (approximately 5 kilodaltons) and as a stepladder of about 30 higher-molecular-mass bands (15- to 70-kilodalton range). The broad band consists of lipopolysaccharide molecules with just lipid A and core regions. The stepladder bands contain lipopolysaccharide molecules with lipid A, core regions, and various numbers of O-antigen units. Monoclonal antibodies generated against the cell surface of developing M. xanthus cells (J. S. Gill and M. Dworkin, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:4505-4508, 1987) were used to help characterize the lipopolysaccharide molecules. Five monoclonal antibodies bound to carbohydrate epitopes on the stepladder but not to the broad band, indicating that these monoclonal antibodies recognize carbohydrates on the O antigen of the lipopolysaccharide molecules. Four of these five monoclonal antibodies bound to doublet bands in the stepladder, while the other monoclonal antibody bound to singlet bands in the stepladder. One monoclonal antibody bound to a carbohydrate epitope on both the broad band and the stepladder, indicating that it bound to the core of the lipopolysaccharide.     

Regulation of nitric oxide production from macrophages by lipopolysaccharide and catecholamines.

Catecholamines are elaborated in stress responses to mediate vasoconstriction, and elevate systemic vascular resistance and blood pressure. They are elaborated in disorders such as sepsis, cocaine abuse, and cardiovascular disease. The aim of the study was to determine whether catecholamines affect nitric oxide (NO) production, as NO is a vasodilator and counteracts the harmful effects of catecholamines. RAW264.7 macrophage cells were cultured with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)+/-epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine at 5x10(-6)M concentrations for 24h. Supernatants were harvested for measuring NO by spectrophotometry using the Greiss reagent and cells were harvested for detecting inducible NO synthase (iNOS) by Western blot. NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophages was increased significantly by addition of LPS (0.5-10ng/ml) in a dose-dependent fashion. The NO production induced by LPS was further enhanced by epinephrine and norepinephrine, and to a lesser extent by dopamine. These increases in NO correlated with expression of iNOS protein in these cells. The enhancing effect of iNOS synthesis by epinephrine and norepinephrine on LPS-induced macrophages was down regulated by beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, propranolol, and dexamethasone. The results suggest that catecholamines have a synergic effect on LPS in induction of iNOS synthesis and NO production, and this may mediate some of the vascular effects of infection. These data support a novel role for catecholamines in disorders such as septic shock and cocaine use, and indicate that beta-adrenoceptor antagonists and glucocorticoids may be used therapeutically for modulation of the catecholamine-NO axis in disease states.     

Macrophage-stimulating protein, the ligand for the stem cell-derived tyrosine kinase/RON receptor tyrosine kinase, inhibits IL-12 production by primary peritoneal macrophages stimulated with IFN-gamma and lipopolysaccharide

IL-12, produced by APCs during the initial stages of an immune response, plays a pivotal role in the induction of IFN-gamma by NK and gammadeltaT cells and in driving the differentiation of Th1 cells, thus providing a critical link between innate and acquired immunity. Due to the unique position occupied by IL-12 in the regulation of immunity, many mechanisms have evolved to modulate IL-12 production. We have shown previously that macrophage-stimulating protein (MSP), the ligand for the stem cell-derived tyrosine kinase/recepteur d'origine nantais (RON) receptor, inhibits NO production by macrophages in response to IFN-gamma and enhances the expression of arginase. Mice lacking RON exhibit increased inflammation in a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction and increased susceptibility to endotoxic shock. In this study we demonstrate that pretreatment of macrophages with MSP before IFN-gamma and LPS results in the complete inhibition of IL-12 production due to suppression of p40 expression. This response is mediated by the RON receptor, and splenocytes from RON(-/-) animals produce increased levels of IFN-gamma. MSP pretreatment of macrophages resulted in decreased tyrosine phosphorylation of Stat-1 and decreased expression of IFN consensus sequence binding protein in response to inflammatory cytokines. In addition to IL-12, the expression of IL-15 and IL-18, cytokines that are also dependent on IFN consensus sequence binding protein activation, is inhibited by pretreatment with MSP before IFN-gamma and LPS. We also show that the ability of MSP to inhibit IL-12 production is independent of IL-10. Taken together, these results suggest that MSP may actively suppress cell-mediated immune responses through its ability to down-regulate IL-12 production and thus inhibit classical activation of macrophages.     

Down-regulation of mannose receptor activity in macrophages after treatment with lipopolysaccharide and phorbol esters

We have investigated the effects of LPS and PMA on the expression of functional mannose receptors in rat bone marrow-derived macrophages. After 48 h of treatment with LPS (10 ng/ml) and PMA (100 nM), mannose receptor activity was reduced by 70 to 80%. The effect of these agents on receptor activity was not reversible, and activity continued to decline after the agents were removed. Pretreatment of cells with dexamethasone was effective in blocking the LPS/PMA-induced down-regulation. Serine protease inhibitors did not block the reduction in receptor activity, suggesting that proteolysis is not involved in receptor down-regulation. LPS/PMA treatment did not increase turnover of the receptor. Ligand uptake studies showed that the total capacity of the uptake system was reduced by 80%, although the Kuptake was unaffected. Binding of 125I-mannose-BSA to intact macrophages showed a 70% decrease in surface receptor activity after treatment with LPS/PMA. LPS/PMA treatment had no effect on total receptor synthesis as quantitated by immunoprecipitation of metabolically labeled receptor. However, binding of metabolically labeled receptor to mannose-Sepharose, and binding of 125I-mannose-BSA to immunoprecipitated receptor revealed that intracellular plus surface binding sites were reduced to approximately 30% after LPS/PMA treatment. These results suggest that LPS/PMA treatment of macrophages results in an inactivation of mannose receptors with no effect on receptor turnover or biosynthesis.     

Monoclonal anti-idiotopic antibodies against myasthenia-inducing anti-acetylcholine receptor monoclonal antibodies. Preponderance of nonparatope-directed antibodies affecting antigen binding

To analyze components of the idiotypic network in experimental autoimmune disease, we produced 17 isogeneic anti-idiotopic monoclonal antibodies (anti-Id) against two experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis-producing anti-acetylcholine receptor (anti-AChR) monoclonal antibodies. We studied the binding of five of the anti-Id to the anti-AChR monoclonal antibodies bearing the complementary idiotopes (Id-mAb). They bound with Kd values ranging from 0.06 to 0.86 nM, values comparable to those of Id-mAb:AChR complexes (0.26 and 0.34 nM). All of the anti-Id tested moderately inhibited the binding of AChR to Id-mAb, whereas for each anti-Id, AChR either strongly inhibited anti-Id binding or had no effect on anti-Id binding. Hence, the inhibition of Id-mAb:AChR binding by anti-Id was not reciprocal with the inhibition of anti-Id:Id-mAb binding by AChR. For each anti-Id, the relative affinities of anti-Id and AChR for Id-mAb together with the lack of symmetry of inhibition by anti-Id compared to inhibition by AChR indicate that these two "ligands" are not competitive inhibitors. Consequently, anti-Id and AChR do not bind to overlapping sites on the Id-mAb, suggesting that the observed inhibition is mediated allosterically. This may be a common mechanism of anti-Id:Id binding, which would have important implications for the mechanism of anti-Id-induced suppression.     

血清2型鸭疫里默氏杆菌脂多糖单克隆抗体的研制及特性鉴定

【背景】鸭疫里默氏杆菌(Riemerella anatipestifer,RA)可感染雏鸭、鹅、火鸡等多种禽类,引起急性或慢性传染病。RA血清型众多且各血清型之间缺乏有效的交叉保护。细菌脂多糖(Lipopolysaccharide,LPS)位于革兰氏阴性菌细胞壁的外侧,其组成和结构变化决定了细菌表面抗原决定簇的多样性。【目的】制备血清2型鸭疫里默氏杆菌LPS单克隆抗体并对其特性进行研究。【方法】以血清2型RA NJ3株免疫BALB/c小鼠,细胞融合后以RA NJ3株LPS作为包被抗原,筛选出能够稳定分泌单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞株,通过体内诱生腹水法制备抗体,采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测单克隆抗体效价,玻片凝集试验和Westernblot检测单抗特异性。【结果】获得两株能稳定分泌抗血清2型鸭疫里默氏杆菌LPS单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞株,分别命名为8G5和8G10;两株单抗的亚型均为IgM/κ链。ELISA结果表明,8G5和8G10腹水效价分别为1:32 000和1:16 000。Western blot结果显示,两株单抗仅与血清2型RA菌株发生特异性反应,而与其他血清型RA菌株和禽源致病菌无反应性。【结论】研究获得的单克隆抗体具有良好的反应性和血清型特异性,可用于RA致病机制的基础研究和进一步建立RA血清型快速检测方法。     

A surface 75-kDa protein with acid phosphatase activity recognized by monoclonal antibodies that inhibit Paracoccidioides brasiliensis growth

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a thermo-dimorphic fungus responsible for paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), a systemic granulomatous mycosis prevalent in Latin America. The fungus releases many antigens which may be transiently bound to its cell surface. Some of them may show enzymatic functions essential for maintaining many cell processes and survival of the microorganism at different conditions. In this study, we report the characterization of a secreted 75kDa protein from P. brasiliensis with phosphatase activity. Biologic function of the molecule was demonstrated using two specific mAbs produced and characterized as IgM and IgG isotypes. Confocal microscopy and flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that both mAbs recognized the protein on the fungus surface, mainly in its budding sites. In vitro experiments showed that fungal growth was inhibited by blocking the protein with mAbs. In addition, opsonized yeast cells with both mAbs facilitated phagocytosis by murine peritoneal macrophages. Passive immunization using mAbs before P. brasiliensis mice infection reduced colony-forming units (CFU) in the lungs as compared with controls. Histopathology showed smaller inflammation, absence of yeast cells and no granuloma formation.     

Production and biological activity of murine monoclonal antibodies against GnRH

Immunization against GnRH represents a nonsurgical means of castrating domestic species. However, clear target antibody titres for bioactivity have not been established. The aims of this study were to produce characterized anti-GnRH monoclonal antibodies and to determine a threshold titre. Three murine monoclonals were developed which produced IgG2a class immunoglobulins and bound 50% I(125)-GnRH at a 10(6) to 10(7) dilution. The antibodies were specific to GnRH, showed a strong affinity (Ka values from 1.99 to 2.60 x 10(10) litres/mole), and were directed towards the amino terminus. In female mice all 3 antibody clones interrupted ovarian cyclicity, causing an extension in diestrus followed by prolonged estrus/metestrus (12 to 30 d). Throughout this period circulating titres were greater than 15% I(125)-GnRH binding at a 5 x 10(4) dilution. In male mice, immunization with 0.2 ml of ascites significantly reduced testes (P < 0.05), epididymides (P < 0.001) and seminal vesicle (P < 0.01) weights. A 0.1 ml dose (61.4 +/- 18.6% binding at a 10(6) dilution) was ineffective. A serial dilution study indicated that a titre of 50% binding at 2 x 10(6) dilution (antigen binding capacity of 268 +/- 35 ng/ml) was required to completely block GnRH activity. This is a higher tire than threshold levels determined previously. Identification of factors determining the titre required for bioactivity is needed.