Modified protection against Toxoplasma gondii lethal infection and brain cyst formation by vaccination with SAG2 and SRS1

Numerous studies have supported the importance of immunity to SAG1, the most predominant antigen of Toxoplasma tachyzoite, in protection against Toxoplasma gondii infection. Nevertheless, vaccination with SAGI provides insufficient protection when compared with that of Toxoplasma lysate (TL). In order to screen the Toxoplasma antigens for immunogenic potential shown by modified protection or induction of specific immune response after infection, recombinant antigens were prepared in Eschericha coli using DNA fragments corresponding to SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, SRS1 and P54 of T. gondii RH strain maintained in our laboratory. Each of the recombinant antigen products or a mixture of the five antigens (Mix) was used to vaccinate mice. Mice then received a lethal dose of T. gondii. Up to 25% of the mice vaccinated with SAG2, SRS1, P54 and Mix survived, whereas there were no survivors in gene 10- (negative control), SAG1- and SAG3- vaccinated groups. In all the survivors, brain cysts were not observed. Conversely, vaccination with TL almost completely protected mice in the acute phase but permitted brain cyst formation and resulted in gradual decrease of survivors to 33% during 4 months of experiments. Western blot analysis on convalescent sera showed an extensive IgG induction to a 30 kDa antigen in TL-vaccinated mice, a 22 kDa in SAG2-vaccinated mice and a 55 kDa in P54-vaccinated mice. The protection modified by boost in specific antibody is suggestive of the immunogenic potential of SAG2, SRS1 and possibly P54 against T. gondii infection.     

Immunization with recombinant surface antigens p26 with Freund's adjuvants against Babesia rodhaini infection

The surface proteins of Babesia rodhaini have previously been shown to induce a high degree of protective immunity. In the present study, one of those proteins, B. rodhaini antigen p26 was expressed in Escherichia coli and in insect cells infected with a recombinant baculovirus. These proteins were recognized by immune serum from a drug-cured BALB/c mouse. While BALB/c mice immunized with both recombinant antigens and Freund's adjuvants showed 40-100% survival rate against challenge infection with B. rodhaini, saponin failed to induce protection, although significant levels of B. rodhaini-specific antibodies were produced in both immunized mice (1:1,000-2,000 by indirect immunofluorescent antibody test). The immunization of IFN-gamma-deficient mice with the recombinant proteins was not protective against B. rodhaini infection, indicating that IFN-gamma is one of the important factors for the survival against lethal B. rodhaini infection.     

鸡传染性法氏囊病病毒vp2基因在杆状病毒表达系统中的表达及免疫原性研究

将鸡传染性法氏囊病病毒超强毒Gx株vp2基因克隆到载体pFastBac HTA中,构建重组转座载体pFVP2,然后将其转化DH10Bac感受态大肠杆菌,将vp2基因整合到Bacmid穿梭载体中,获得重组穿梭载体BacmidVP2;通过脂质体转染将其转染Sf9昆虫细胞,获得重组杆状病毒rBacVP2。用Western blot和间接免疫荧光试验分析表明IBDV VP2蛋白在Sf9昆虫细胞获得正确表达,所表达的重组VP2蛋白分子量约50 Ku。以rBacVP2感染Sf9细胞裂解物免疫3周龄SPF鸡,在免疫后7 d可检测到ELISA抗体;免疫后14 d可检测到琼脂免疫扩散抗体。攻毒试验表明,初次免疫后14 d对IBDV超强毒株的攻击保护率为75%,2次免疫后14 d对其的攻击保护率为100%。     

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against porcine interleukin-4

Interleukin 4 (IL-4) is an important regulatory cytokine produced by activated T lymphocytes and mast cells, and regulates the growth and differentiation of cells such as B and T lymphocytes. In the present study, recombinant thioredoxin (Trx)-porcine IL-4 (pIL-4) fusion protein was prepared by Escherichia coli (E. coli), and by using this protein as an immunogen, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against pIL-4 were produced to establish a basis for a research on immune responses in pigs. Six stable hybridoma cell lines were successfully established and specific binding of each mAb to recombinant pIL-4 produced by E. coli and insect cells infected with recombinant baculovirus was shown by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and/or immunoblot analysis. Isotype analyses of these mAbs revealed that the subclass of 5 out of 6 mAbs was IgG1 and the rest was IgG2b. Further, assessment of their epitopes by competition binding assay indicated that the mAbs obtained in this study bound to 4 different epitopes. The recombinant proteins and mAbs produced in this study will be useful tools for the assessment of porcine immune system.     

刚地弓形虫Rop18基因的原核表达及鉴定

利用PCR技术从弓形虫RH株基因组中扩增出Rop18基因片段,克隆入pET-30a载体,将重组质粒转化入大肠杆菌Top10中,经酶切鉴定获得阳性重组质粒并对其进行测序。测序结果与参考序列(登录号:JX045329.1)比对发现,核苷酸同源性为99.6%。将阳性重组质粒转化入大肠杆菌BL21中,表达产物经SDS-PAGE检测结果显示,Rop18基因在大肠杆菌中成功表达;融合蛋白的分子质量在66.2 ku左右,Western blotting显示其能被兔抗弓形虫免疫血清识别。结果表明,弓形虫RH株Rop18基因可以在原核表达系统中高效表达,该重组蛋白具有免疫原性,有望作为弓形虫疫苗候选抗原。     

A群猪轮状病毒VP7蛋白单克隆抗体的制备及鉴定

To prepare the monoclonal antibodies against VP7 protein of group A porcine rotavirus (PoRV) serotype G11,VP7 gene of PoRV serotype G11 was cloned into the vector pGEX-6P-1. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into E.coli competent cells DH5α and induced by IPTG. Hybridomas were produced by fusing SP2/0 cells with spleen cells from mouse immunized with GST-VP7 recombinant protein. One hybridomas secreting MAb against VP7 protein was identified by indirect ELISA. Western blotting analysis showed that the MAb could recognize the recombinant VP7 protein and authentic VP7 protein of PoRV，and the specific immunoflurescence was detected in PoRV infected MA104 cells by indirect immunoflurescence assay.The result of MTT method showed that the MAb had the neutralizing activity. The subtype of the MAb was IgG2b. The results showed that VP7 protein was successfully expressed in E.coli， one MAb was preparated and identified，and it could be used for further study of prevention，diagnosis and treatment of porcine rotavirus disease.     

Expression and characterization of the recombinant swine interleukin-6

The swine interleukin-6 (SwIL-6) cDNA was cloned by RT-PCR and each expression system of recombinant SwIL-6 in Escherichia coli, insect cells, and mammalian cells was developed. Recombinant SwIL-6 produced in bacteria was applied for generation of the polyclonal antibodies. The rSwIL-6 was purified from supernatant of insect cells with a Q-sepharose or anti-SwIL-6 monoclonal antibody based immunoaffinity column. The antibodies showed that the molecular weight of rSwIL-6 was approximately 26kDa in E. coli, 25, 26, 30kDa in insect cells, and 26 and 30kDa in mammalian cells. These variations of molecular weight were probably due to the different modifications of glycosylation. All these recombinant proteins retained the antigenicity and biological activity on 7TD1 mouse cells.     

Development of a monoclonal antibody-based sandwich ELISA for detection of guinea pig interleukin-2

Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is a T cell proliferation factor released by Th0- and Th1-type helper T cells and is an essential cytokine for immune responses. In the present study, recombinant glutathione S-transferase (GST)-guinea pig IL-2 (GPIL-2) fusion protein was prepared by Escherichia coli (E. coli) and by using this protein as an immunogen, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against GPIL-2 were produced to establish a basis for a research on immune responses in guinea pigs. Three stable hybridoma cell lines were established, and specific binding of each mAb to recombinant GPIL-2 produced by E. coli and insect cells infected with recombinant baculovirus was shown by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and/or immunoblot analysis. Isotype analyses of these mAbs revealed that all three mAbs were IgG1 and had kappa chain. Furthermore, assessment of their epitopes by competition binding assay indicated that the mAbs obtained in this study bound to three different epitopes. Thus, a sandwich ELISA based on the two mAbs specific to different GPIL-2 epitopes was developed for detection of GPIL-2, which had a sensitivity threshold of about 0.3 ng/ml of GPIL-2.     

Expression and purification of recombinant swine interleukin-4

The swine interleukin-4 (SwIL-4) cDNA was cloned by RT-PCR. It was expressed using an expression vector pQE30 in E. coli, a baculovirus AcNPV vector pVL1392 in insect cells, and a pCAGGS vector in mammalian cells. The rSwIL-4 proteins expressed from bacteria and insect cells were purified using a chelating affinity column and a mAb-coupled immunoaffinity column. The amount of the products and their bioactivities were compared. All recombinant cytokines were efficiently reacted with the specific antibodies and the molecular weight of rSwIL-4 was approximately 16 kDa in E. coli, 15 and 18 kDa in insect cells, and 15 and 20 kDa in mammalian cells. Variations of molecular weight observed in insect and mammalian cells were probably due to different modification ways of glycosylation. All these recombinant proteins retained their antigenicity and were biologically active in inducing human TF-1 cell proliferation in vitro. The simple purification method will make it possible to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo effects of IL-4 in pigs.     

犬瘟热病毒核衣壳蛋白基因在昆虫细胞中的表达及其抗原性分析

将非典型犬瘟热病毒（Canine distemper virus,CDV）的核衣壳蛋白（nucleocapsid protein,N）基因克隆到杆状病毒表达系统供体质粒pFastBacHTA中,构建含N基因的重组供体质粒pFastBac-N,转化E.coli DH10Bac感受态细胞,经筛选获得含N基因的重组Bacmid DNA（rBacmid-N）,脂质体法转染昆虫细胞Sf9,获得重组杆状病毒vBacmid-N。用vBacmid-N感染昆虫细胞Sf9,免疫印迹（Western blot）分析,在62kDa处出现一条特异蛋白条带,与重组N蛋白的理论值相符合;间接免疫荧光试验（indirect immunofluorescent assay,IFA）检测,vBacmid-N感染的昆虫细胞sf9出现特异绿色荧光。以纯化的重组N蛋白为抗原建立CDV抗体间接ELISA检测方法,犬CDV阳性血清A450大于0.40,而犬CDV阴性血清A450小于0.05,显示了良好的抗原特异性与稳定性。     

Characteristics of glycoprotein B of equine herpesvirus 1 expressed by a recombinant baculovirus.

A recombinant baculovirus (Bac-EgB) containing the complete open reading frame of equine herpesvirus 1 glycoprotein B (EHV-1 gB) expressed recombinant products of 107-133 kDa, 58-75 kDa and 53-57 kDa, corresponding to EHV-1 gB precursor, large and small subunits respectively. High molecular mass products (>200 kDa) in the Bac-EgB infected insect cells were consistent with oligomerisation of the recombinant EHV-1 gB products, and analysis with tunicamycin and endoglycosidases indicated that the baculovirus-expressed gB contained N-linked sugars with high mannose and hybrid chains. N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis of the gB forms revealed identical signal and endoproteolytic cleavage sites to those of gB in EHV-1 infected mammalian cells, and authenticity of processing and transport was supported by the presence of EHV-1 gB antigen at the surface of infected insect cells. Immunogold labelling and electron microscopy of recombinant baculovirus particles indicated that the recombinant gB was also present in baculovirus envelopes. Bac-EgB infected insect cells were able to induce low levels of complement dependent virus neutralising antibody, and have been shown to evoke protective immune responses in murine models of respiratory disease and abortion.     

Serodiagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cats by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using recombinant SAG1

The gene encoding surface antigen 1 (SAG1, P30) of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) was cloned into the plasmid pGEX-4T-3 and subsequently expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) as a glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion protein. The recombinant SAG1 (rSAG1) was refolded using 8M urea solution followed by dialysis and thereafter evaluated in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serological diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. The test sera were adsorbed with GST to block non-specific reactivity to the GST-SAG1 fusion protein. The ELISA with rSAG1 was able to differentiate very clearly between sera from cats or mice experimentally infected with T. gondii and sera from normal cats or mice. The ELISA detected no cross-reactivity with sera from mice experimentally infected with the closely related parasite Neospora caninum (N. caninum). Some 193 cat sera were tested for antibodies to T. gondii, out of which 40 (20.7%) reacted positively by ELISA with the rSAG1 while another 79.3% cats reacted negative to the assay. Both positive and negative sera were confirmed by Western blot analysis. The results of ELISA were in agreement with those of a commercially available latex agglutination test (LAT) kit, although the former had higher titers than the latter.     

细胞渗透肽TAT与3种弓形虫抗原的融合重组表达

为了探索新型弓形虫疫苗的传递系统,本试验分别构建了细胞渗透肽反式转录激活因子(TAT)与3种弓形虫抗原和增强型绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)融合表达的重组质粒,即pET28a-TAT-EGFP,pET28a-TAT-SAG1,pET28a-TAT-GRA4和pET28a-TAT-AMA1质粒。重组质粒被转化到大肠杆菌中并通过IPTG诱导,成功进行了融合表达,表达产物采用Ni-NTA树脂进行纯化,然后进行SDS-PAGE分析。结果得到31 ku的TAT-EGFP融合蛋白、34 ku的TAT-SAG1融合蛋白、38 ku的TAT-GRA4融合蛋白和62 ku的TAT-AMA1融合蛋白,经过Western blotting分析,感染弓形虫的小鼠血清可特异性地识别融合TAT的SAG1、GRA4蛋白和微弱地识别TAT-AMA1蛋白。     

Generation of monoclonal antibody against canine neural-cell adhesion molecule

A monoclonal antibody, K9BYU, was generated using Escherichia coli recombinant extracellular domain of canine neural-cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) as an antigen. Immunoreactivity of K9BYU to insect cell recombinant canine N-CAM was demonstrated by Western blotting using Sf9 insect cells transfected with the canine N-CAM gene. In Western blotting against canine brain tissue, K9BYU detected three isoforms of N-CAM that correspond to three major isoforms of human and mouse N-CAM (N-CAM-120, -140, and -180). From these results, K9BYU was considered to be a useful tool for research of canine N-CAM.     

Serological survey of Toxoplasma gondii,feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus in urban stray cats in Belgium

Three hundred and forty-six serum samples taken between 1998 and 2000 from urban stray cats in the city of Ghent were tested for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and antigens of feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Of these 346 samples, 243 (70.2 per cent) were seropositive for Tgondii. Thirty-nine cats (11.3 per cent) had antibodies against FIV and 13 (3.8 per cent) had circulating antigens of FeLV. Fewer of the female cats had FIV and heavier cats had a higher seroprevalence of FIV. Exact logistic regression showed that cats that were infected with FIV were more likely to be infected with T gondii (P = 0.04), and the cats with FIV had a higher titre of Tgondii antibodies than FIV-negative animals. However, FeLV was not associated with either T gondii or FIV.     

猫传染性腹膜炎病毒N蛋白在昆虫细胞-杆状病毒系统中的表达与鉴定

本研究旨在利用昆虫细胞-杆状病毒表达系统表达猫传染性腹膜炎病毒(Feline infectious peritonitis virus,FIPV)N蛋白,并制备抗该蛋白的多克隆抗体,用于FIPV临床抗原/抗体诊断及N蛋白功能研究。参考GenBank中FIPV的N基因序列,选择FIPV毒株N基因(登录号:KC461235.1),并对该N基因进行密码子优化、基因合成,酶切后将N基因连接至pFastBac1载体,转化大肠杆菌DH5α感受态细胞,经氨苄西林抗性筛选阳性克隆,提取质粒经酶切及测序鉴定正确后,转化大肠杆菌DH10Bac感受态细胞,经蓝白斑筛选及PCR鉴定后,最终成功构建重组杆状病毒质粒Bacmid-N,转染Sf9细胞包装杆状病毒,于28℃温箱培养4 d后收集感染Sf9细胞上清,并通过镍离子亲和层析纯化获得重组N蛋白。经SDS-PAGE及Western blotting鉴定结果表明,本研究成功利用昆虫细胞-杆状病毒表达系统表达出大小约为51 ku的FIPV重组N蛋白。将该蛋白与弗氏佐剂按一定比例混合后,免疫6周龄BALB/c小鼠。用间接ELISA方法检测小鼠血清抗体效价可达1∶102400;利用Western blotting和间接免疫荧光试验对N蛋白多克隆抗体进行检测分析,结果表明,真核表达的重组蛋白免疫原性良好,多克隆抗体具有良好的反应原性,可特异识别FIPV感染细胞。本研究为FIPV抗原/抗体诊断试剂盒的研发奠定了基础。     

微小隐孢子虫三个基因主要抗原表位区的串联表达及其抗原性分析

应用多个抗原袁位预测软件对微小隐孢子虫CP15、P23和CP15/60三个子孢子表面抗原的氨基酸序列进行T细胞袁位预测及分析,从中选取了三个抗原表位富集的基因片段,利用重叠延伸PCR(gene splicing by overlapping extension PCR,SOE PCR)将该三个基因片段串联在一起,各基因片段之间以柔性氨基酸(GGGGS)碱基序列链接,得到的拼接片段命名为CpTm.将目的基因克隆到原核表达载体pET-28a(+)上,构建重组表达质粒pET-CpTm,并转化到大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中进行诱导表达,将纯化的重组蛋白免疫BALB/c小鼠制备多克隆抗体.结果成功地构建了CpTm串联基因并在大肠杆菌中以可溶形式高效表达,质谱分析表明重组表达蛋白包含了上述三个抗原的氨基酸序列.Western blot分析显示该重组蛋白能被牛抗微小隐孢子虫阳性血清及隐孢子虫鼠基因型CP15、P23、CP15/60基因重组表达蛋白免疫兔血清识别,制备的抗血清能被重组蛋白特异性识别,表明表达的重组蛋白具有较好的反应原性和免疫原性,为多表位疫苗的研制奠定了基础.     

传染性法氏囊病病毒VP2基因在昆虫细胞中的表达

本研究将鸡传染性法氏囊病病毒超强毒(very virulent infectious bursal disease virus,vvIBDV)JM-1/10株VP2基因克隆至pcDNA-3.1(+)启动子CMV之后,随后将CMV-VP2基因序列一同克隆入杆状病毒表达系统的质粒 pFastBac^TM Daul中构建了pFast-CMV-VP2。将pFast-CMV-VP2转化Escherichia coli DH10Bac感受态细胞,筛选出重组质粒Bacmid-CMV-VP2。用 Bacmid-CMV-VP2转染Sf9昆虫细胞,获得了重组杆状病毒vBac-CMV-VP2。将该重组杆状病毒转导BHK-21细胞,48~72 h后经间接免疫荧光试验(IFA)检测到VP2蛋白具有特异性荧光;样品经Western blotting分析,结果显示目的蛋白得到表达。结果表明,本试验制备的重组 vBac-CMV-VP2 既能在昆虫细胞中表达,也可在哺乳动物细胞中表达。     

Expression and antigenic characterization of recombinant Mycoplasma agalactiae P48 major surface protein

The gene encoding the P48 major surface lipoprotein of M. agalactiae has been recently characterised. Since its product plays an important role in the immune response of infected animals, in this study we analysed a recombinant P48 expressed in E. coli. Multiple point mutations were introduced by site directed mutagenesis in order to convert four tryptophan TGA codons, which are a typical feature of the mycoplasma genetic code, into the standard TGG. The mutated p48 gene was subcloned into pGex-2T and expressed in fusion with glutathione-S transferase. Following purification steps, P48 was eluted from carrier protein by thrombin digestion and used in Western blot and indirect ELISA using well-characterised sheep sera. Results demonstrate that specific antibodies against P48 are detected 3 weeks after onset of clinical disease and the recombinant P48 is a diagnostically relevant marker of M. agalactiae infection.     

Human parvovirus B19 serology and avidity using a combination of recombinant antigens enables a differentiated picture of the current state of infection

In order to improve serodiagnostic methods for the determination of the state of human parovirus B19 infection, a new test system, recomLine Parvovirus, based on the use of recombinant antigens, has been developed and evaluated. The test system combines the advantages of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods with those of the Western blot technique. For the recombinant line assay, five antigens of human parvovirus B19 that were recombinantly produced in Escherichia coli were applied directly on nitrocellulose membranes: VP2, the aminoterminal and the carboxyterminal domain of VP1 (VP-N and VP-C), VP-1S another fragment of VP-N and NS1. In addition, empty virus particles isolated from eukaryotic cell cultures were also applied. The recombinant-line assay was used to detect human IgG and IgM antibodies directed against human parvovirus B19. In addition, the avidity of the IgG antibodies was investigated. The recombinant line assay was evaluated using 87 human serum samples of patients recently infected with human parvovirus B19 including 10 samples of three infection time courses and 100 serum samples of healthy blood donors. All results were compared with commercially available ELISAs. In the case of discrepancies, Western blot analysis was performed. The data revealed the recombinant line assay to be highly sensitive and specific. The individual determination of the human immune response against several recombinant antigens covering the structural proteins of human parvovirus B19 gives a deeper insight into the actual status of infection. In addition, the determination of IgG avidity against these individual recombinant antigens enables a more precise and differentiated picture of the infection event.