Production of monoclonal antibodies against serum immunoglobulins of black rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli Higendorf)

The present study was undertaken to produce monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against immunoglobulin (Ig) purified from black rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli Higendorf) serum using protein A, mannan binding protein, and goat IgG affinity columns. These three different ligands were found to possess high affinity for black rockfish serum Ig. All of the Igs purified eluted at only 0.46 M NaCl concentration in anion exchange column chromatography and consisted of two bands at 70 kDa and 25 kDa in SDS-PAGE; they also had similar antigenicity for MAbs to Ig heavy chain in immunoblot assays. Therefore, black rockfish Ig is believed to exist as a single isotype within serum. The MAbs produced against Ig heavy chain reacted specifically with spots distributed over the pI range from 4.8 to 5.6 with a molecular weight of 70 kDa on two dimensional gel electrophoresis immunoblot profiles.     

Development of an immunoassay to measure the humoral immune response of hybrid striped bass Morone chrysops x M. saxatilis

Hybrid striped bass (HSB) were immunized with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and the specific anti-BSA immunoglobulin (Ig) was affinity purified from the resulting serum by means of an agarose gel-BSA column. The native Ig had an apparent molecular size of 893 KDD, by size exclusion chromatography, and when examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) under denaturing conditions, resolved to heavy (H) and light (L) chains of 76 and 27 KDD, respectively. Affinity purified native HSB Ig was used to immunize a goat which produced specific anti-HSB Ig antibody (Ab). Purified native HSB Ig was also used to produce two murine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with specific affinities for H and L chain moieties of the HSB Ig molecule. Both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies could be used individually in an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure specific anti-BSA Ig in HSB serum. These antibodies could also be used in combination to measure total Ig in a capture ELISA format. Using both assays, the kinetics of the humoral immune response of HSB was measured for 98 days following two injections of BSA.     

Molecular cloning and expression analysis of interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8) in turbot, Scophthalmus maximus

Mucus immunoglobulin (Ig) of flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) was purified by the combination of salting-out, Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration chromatography and DEAE Sepharose chromatography. According to the SDS-PAGE and native-PAGE, the purified mucus Ig showed apparent molecular weights of 72 kDa (heavy chain) and 26 kDa (light chain), and a total molecular weight of 798 kDa, which indicated mucus IgM was in tetrameric form. Purified mucus Ig was used to immunize the Balb/C mice, nineteen hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against flounder mucus Ig were obtained by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and three of them designated as 1A-M2, 1C-M10 and 3F-M9 were cloned by limiting dilution. In Western blotting, the three mAbs specifically reacted to the heavy (H) chain of mucus Ig, but not reacted with serum Ig of flounder, whereas mAb 2D8 against serum Ig previously produced could react with the H chain of both mucus and serum Ig, indicating the composition of the mucus and serum Ig H chains was different. Meanwhile, surface Ig positive (sIg+) lymphocytes in the peripheral blood, spleen, skin and gills of healthy flounder, were analyzed by flow cytometry using mAb 1A-M2 and mAb 2D8, and the results revealed that both mAbs were reactive with the sIg+ lymphocytes. The positive reactivity rates for mAb 1A-M2 were 38.64% in the peripheral blood, 23.6% in the spleen, 16.56% in the skin and 6.26% in the gills, while the positive reactivity rates for mAb 2D8 were 48.89%, 33.7%, 15% and 6.02%, respectively, suggesting mucus Ig was similar, but not identical, to serum Ig. These results generated important mucosal immunological information and gave a valuable insight into understanding the mucosal immunity in flounder.     

Cloning, expression and bioassay of canine CTLA4Ig

Blockade of the B7:CD28 costimulatory pathway has been shown to inhibit humoral immunity, graft rejection, graft versus host disease and ameliorate autoimmune diseases. A soluble chimeric fusion protein, CTLA4Ig, binds to B7 with greater affinity than CD28 and blocks the binding of CD28 to B7. We describe the cloning and expression of canine CTLA4Ig, a recombinant chimeric fusion protein composed of the extracellular domain of canine CTLA-4 and the CH2-CH3 domains of canine immunoglobulin alpha constant region (IGHA) genes, linked via an immunologically inert flexible peptide. The recombinant CTLA4Ig protein of approximately 45kDa molecular weight was expressed mainly as insoluble inclusion bodies in Escherichia coli. The protein was solubilized in denaturing buffer and purified using nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA) affinity column chromatography followed by refolding. The yield was about 6mg of recombinant CTLA4Ig per liter of culture. The purified protein was biologically active in one-way mixed lymphocyte reactions, demonstrating immunosuppressive activities in a dose-dependent manner. The findings suggest that recombinant canine CTLA4Ig protein could be valuable in assessing the function of CTLA-4 in the canine immune system and may be effective in autoimmune disease therapy.     

Purification and Characterization of IgM-like Immunoglobulin from Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.)

A total of 40 turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) were immunized 3 times during a 3 months period using DNP-HSA whereafter serum samples were collected and pooled. Specific immunoglobulins (Ig) were affinity purified on an agarose column with immobilized DNP-BSA and further purified by gel filtration whereafter monospecific rabbit anti Ig serum was generated. Size exclusion chromatography and non-reduced SDS-PAGE indicated a MW of 8-900 kDa of the dominant antigen binding proteins from turbot serum. Reduced SDS-PAGE showed this fraction to be composed of disulphide linked heavy and light chains with MWs of 79 and 27–29 kDa, respectively, indicating a tetrameric structure. Isoelectric focusing of the 800–900 kDa Ig showed several bands between pH 5.5 and pH 5.8. Mean Ig concentration in serum of 10 turbot was measured to 6.48 mg/ml (SD 5.4) using rocket immunoelectrophoresis. Low molecular weight antigen binding molecules were copurified with the dominating immunoglobulins with an estimated MW of 500 kDa. Reducing SDS-PAGE of this fraction revealed molecules with MWs of 97,79,57,29,and 27 kDa.     

Immune complexes in Aleutian disease: demonstration of antibody on isolated virus

The specific binding of Staphylococcal protein A for mammalian immunoglobulin G was used to demonstrate IgG associated with Aleutian disease virus (ADV) when isolated from infected mink tissues. Protein A specifically bound to mink serum Ig with no reaction with other serum or tissue proteins. Protein A labeled with 131Iodine reacted with crude virus preparations but not with virus that had been purified by freon extraction to the point where it became reactive with antibody by counterimmunoelectrophoresis. Binding to purified ADV was restored when the purified virus was first reacted with antibody. Results of urea treatment indicated this as an alternative method for isolation of ADV free from antibody.     

Impact of oral immunoglobulins on animal health—A review

Immunoglobulin (Ig) is the one of the main anti‐infective components of blood, colostrum and breast milk. It is the unique glycoprotein that defends the body from harmful bacteria, viruses and other environmental pathogens by either binding to them or by forming an encapsulating barrier. The expansion of antimicrobial and immunomodulatory products from natural sources for dietary supplementation in both animals and humans is an ever growing and thriving area of research. Purified Ig from sheep serum (ovine serum Ig) is one such candidate product. Recent work has shown the various biological effects of oral Ig in different animal models including its effect on growth, immunity, intestinal growth and gut barrier function. The objective of this paper is to review the results of recent studies demonstrating the effects of oral Ig in both pathogenic and non‐pathogenic animal models and to suggest a possible mechanism of its action. Overall, purified oral Ig improves growth of healthy (and challenged) rats and defends against enteric infection by immunomodulation, mucin protein and/or modification of commensal microbial composition. The findings contribute to knowledge of how orally administered ovine Ig can influence and enhance key indicators of gut function and overall growth performance in an animal model.     

Systemic and mucosal antibody responses to selected cell surface antigens of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli in experimentally infected chickens

The immune response to four cell surface antigens of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) was investigated as the first step in identifying vaccine candidates. F1 pilus adhesin, P pilus adhesin, aerobactin receptor protein, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from an O78 E. coli (strain EC99) were used as antigens. The proteins were purified as 6xhistidine-tagged recombinant proteins and LPS was purified from a phenol/water extract. Groups of 12 broiler chickens were vaccinated intranasally with the EC99 strain and challenged with the same strain 10 days later via the intra-air sac route. The chickens that survived were euthanatized 10 days postchallenge. Scores were assigned to infected chickens on the basis of lesions and recovery of the challenge E. coli. The immunoglobulin (Ig) IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies to the four antigens were measured in serum and air sac washings in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Among the chickens that were not vaccinated prior to challenge, two died and three of the survivors were ill, whereas, of the chickens that were vaccinated prior to challenge, one died and one of the survivors became ill. After the intranasal vaccination, high antibody activity against all four antigens was associated with each Ig isotype in serum and air sac washings. IgG was the predominant isotype of Ig in air sac washings as detected by radial immunodiffusion. Chickens that were not ill after challenge had greater IgG, IgA, and IgM antibody activity against all four antigens in serum and air sac washings than did sick chickens. Thus, all of the antigens tested appear to be suitable candidates for a vaccine to protect chickens from respiratory tract infections caused by APEC.     

鹅细小病毒NS2基因的原核表达及抗原性检测

为原核表达鹅细小病毒(GPV)NS2蛋白,本研究利用特异性引物扩增获得GPV的H1分离株NS2基因,将其克隆于pMD18-T载体后进行序列测定。并将NS2基因亚克隆于原核表达载体pGEX-6P-1中,获得重组质粒pGEX-NS2。该质粒转化于感受态菌BL21(DE3)plysS中,经IPTG诱导,SDS-PAGE电泳分析,表达的重组蛋白约为75ku左右。经过亲和层析方法获得了纯化的重组NS2蛋白。Westernblot和Dot-ELISA鉴定结果表明,表达的重组NS2蛋白可以与GPV阳性血清发生特异性反应。     

Protein G binding to enriched serum immunoglobulin from nondomestic hoofstock species.

Quick and cost-effective serologic assays, such as those based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technology, are useful for screening animal populations for infectious diseases. Recombinant protein G is described as an almost universal ELISA conjugate for the detection of antibodies from a wide range of animal species. However, there is limited data documenting the ability of protein G to bind immunoglobulin (Ig) from many captive and free-ranging nondomestic hoofstock (Order Artiodactyla, e.g., elk, antelope, bison). Protein G binding to Ig from 11 species within this taxonomic order (addax, antelope, bison, bontebok, elk, impala, kudu/nyala, muntjac, oryx, sheep, and white-tailed deer) and 2 control species (bovine and chicken) was assessed. A serum Ig enrichment protocol, using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), was optimized in bovids (Bos taurus) and then applied to the other study species. Binding assays were performed by adding protein G to microtiter wells coated with titrated dilutions of enriched artiodactyl Ig. Optical densities were measured and binding curves generated. Differences in protein G binding were observed, both within and among species, as well as within taxonomic families. Significant intraspecies binding variation was observed for 7 species tested (antelope, oryx, sheep, muntjac, impala, bontebok, and addax). No statistically significant intraspecies differences in protein G binding were found for Ig from bison, elk, kudu/nyala, white-tailed deer, plus control species (cattle and chicken). Binding of protein G to Ig from impala, muntjac, and elk was statistically different from the positive control (cattle), with muntjac binding curves statistically comparable with the negative control (chicken). For the other 7 species tested, binding curves illustrated the ability of protein G to bind Ig as well as, or better than, the positive control. These findings expand the list of animal species whose Ig is capable of being detected using recombinant protein G, with the caveat that protein G does not bind Ig uniformly in closely related species. It is concluded that recombinant protein G conjugates may serve as useful reagents for serodiagnosis by ELISA in nondomestic hoofstock, although different assay interpretation algorithms and assay protocols may need to be developed on a per species basis for maximum diagnostic effectiveness.     

猪传染性胃肠炎病毒重组核蛋白免疫原性的研究

猪传染性胃肠炎病毒（TGEV）核蛋白（NP）基因是高度保守序列．其编码的NP是病毒粒子的主要组成成分。N基因在PCR分离后，亚克隆到PQE30载体上的组氨酸亲合标志的N端，产生与组氨酸融合的重组融合N蛋白，经Ni-NTA金属亲合层析纯化后免疫家兔，产生了多克隆抗体，此抗体与相应的抗原反应所产生的特异性条带和此抗原与抗NP单克隆抗体反应所产生的特异性条带一致。证明重组融合N蛋白具有良好的免疫原性和反应原性。     

Serological assessment of chlamydial infection in the koala by a slide EIA technique

A rapid and simplified slide enzyme immunosorbent assay (EIA) was developed for the diagnosis of chlamydial infection in the koala. HeLa 229 cells infected with koala strain Chlamydia psittaci were fixed on the surface of multiwell slides and used as the antigen. The assay consisted of first reacting koala antiserum with the fixed C psittaci antigen, followed by reaction with biotinylated rabbit anti-koala IgG, ABC reagent and substrate. The chlamydial EIA antibody titres obtained were compared with those of a complement fixation (CF) test using koala strain C psittaci as antigen. Of 35 koala sera tested, 16 CF positive sera (greater than or equal to 1:8) also had a positive titre (greater than or equal to 1:200) in the slide EIA test (sensitivity 93.8%, 15/16). Nineteen CF negative sera were also negative in the slide EIA (specificity 100%, 19/19). Sixty-eight samples of koala blood were collected by ear-prick using a sampling paper method and were assayed by both tests. Sensitivity of the slide EIA was 100% (15/15) and specificity of the test was 96.2% (51/53). To simplify the slide EIA for use as a practical screening test, a 3-point serum dilution series (1:100, 1:200, 1:400) was used. This 3-point slide EIA was compared with the CF test using sheep strain chlamydial antigen. Thirty-nine sera were assayed by both tests. The sensitivity of the 3-point method was 85.7% (6/7) and the specificity was 71.9% (23/32) as compared with the sheep antigen CF test.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Diabetes mellitus in a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)

Objective To describe a case of diabetes mellitus in a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus).
Design A case report with controls.
Procedures We describe clinical and laboratory findings in a 6-year-old, free-living, female koala presented with traumatic injury and subsequently found to have polydipsia, hyperglycaemia and glucosuria. Over a 5 week period, serum biochemical analyses, haematological examinations, urinal-yses, measurement of serum insulin and fructosamine concentrations, necropsy, histopathological examination of a range of tissues and immunohistochemical examination of the pancreas for insulin-containing cells were done. For reference purposes, serum insulin and fructosamine concentrations were determined in four and two healthy koalas, respectively, and three healthy koalas pancreases were examined histo-logically and immunohistochemically.
Results The koala had persistent hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia, hyponatraemia, hypochloraemia and glucosuria. Serum insulin concentration of the diabetic koala was only marginally smaller than that of healthy koalas, but all concentrations were smaller than reference concentrations in dogs and people. Fructosamine concentration did not allow the diabetic koala to be distinguished from healthy koalas and concentrations of all koala analytes were greater than expected for healthy dogs and people. Histopathological examination revealed extensive degeneration of pancreatic islet cells and fatty infiltration of hepatocytes. Immunoperoxidase staining revealed decreased or absent insulin in the b cells of the affected koala.
Conclusion Clinical signs, clinicopathological results and histopathological changes were consistent with diabetes mellitus. The pathogenesis of the condition could not be determined but may have been related to the administration of a parenteral corticosteroid preparation, the stress of capture or tissue damage and inflammation.     

猪瘟病毒蛋白E2、N^pro基因的克隆表达及纯化

克隆了猪瘟病毒（CSFV）石门株E2和Npro基因,并分别插入pGEX-6p-1表达载体中,构建了原核重组表达质粒。经IPTG诱导后,应用SDS-PAGE电泳检测结果表明,重组质粒均得以成功表达。使用超声法破碎菌体获得蛋白,将带有GST标签的融合蛋白进行亲和层析,其中E2和Npro的表达形式分别为包涵体表达和可溶性蛋白表达。将E2变性后重折叠,应用亲和层析法纯化蛋白,Western blot检测发现CSFV蛋白E2能够被CSFV阳性血清识别,具有良好的反应原性,而Npro不能与CSFV阳性血清反应。     

猪瘟病毒蛋白E2、Npro基因的克隆表达及纯化

克隆了猪瘟病毒(CSFV)石门株E2和Npro基因,并分别插入pGEX-6p-1表达载体中,构建了原核重组表达质粒。经IPTG诱导后,应用SDS-PAGE电泳检测结果表明,重组质粒均得以成功表达。使用超声法破碎菌体获得蛋白,将带有GST标签的融合蛋白进行亲和层析,其中E2和Npro的表达形式分别为包涵体表达和可溶性蛋白表达。将E2变性后重折叠,应用亲和层析法纯化蛋白,Western blot检测发现CSFV蛋白E2能够被CSFV阳性血清识别,具有良好的反应原性,而Npro不能与CSFV阳性血清反应。     

Measurement of serum immunoglobulin concentration in killer whales and sea otters by radial immunodiffusion

Killer whales and sea otters maintained in captivity are the subjects of routine health monitoring programs, and interest in immunologic studies in sea otters has been rising recently in response to potential impacts from infectious disease and environmental pollution on the threatened southern sea otter population. Development of species-specific reagents for immunologic studies in these two marine mammals is currently in its infancy. In this study, killer whale and sea otter immunoglobulin-specific polyclonal antibodies were generated, and used to develop tests for serum Ig concentration in the killer whale (Orcinus orca) and the southern (Enhydra lutris nereis) and northern sea otter (Enhydra lutris lutris). Killer whale serum IgG was purified using caprylic acid/ammonium sulfate precipitation. Sea otter plasma IgG was purified using protein-A-agarose. Polyclonal anti-Ig antisera were produced in rabbits, and specificity confirmed by immunoelectrophoresis. Radial immunodiffusion was used to measure Ig concentration in serum or plasma samples derived from 21 captive killer whales, 18 wild and 4 captive southern sea otters and 15 wild and 4 captive northern sea otters grouped by age. Mean killer whale serum Ig concentration (+/-95% confidence interval) ranged from 15.04 +/- 3.97 g/l for animals aged 0-5 years to 26.65 +/- 9.8 g/l for animals aged >10 years. Mean sea otter serum Ig concentration (+/-95% confidence interval) ranged from 28.39 +/- 11.00 g/l for southern sub-adults to 32.76 +/- 11.58 g/l for southern adults. No significant difference in serum Ig concentration was found between southern and northern sea otters. Serum Ig concentrations in two northern sea otter pups were low compared to those of adult sea otters. The two serum Ig quantitation assays produced were highly specific and reproducible and will be useful additions to the limited number of tests available for immune function in these marine mammal species.     

Partial purification and characterization of bovine fibroblast interferon

Bovine fibroblast interferon (BoF-IFN), produced in primary bovine embryonic kidney cell cultures after priming and infection with bluetongue virus, was purified by controlled pore glass (CPG) chromatography to a specific activity of 10(6) U/mg of protein, with 40% recovery of the original activity. The crude IFN was concentrated more than sevenfold during purification. This proved to be a relatively simple, practical method of obtaining sufficient quantities of partially purified natural BoF-IFN for further studies. The CPG-purified BoF-IFN was further concentrated by sequential ultrafiltration and was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Interferon, recovered from denaturing conditions either by dialysis against phosphate-buffered saline solution or by dilution in cell culture medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, migrated as a single stainable protein with molecular weight of 21,000 on analytic SDS-PAGE gels. Recovered IFN activity from preparative SDS-PAGE totalled 8.7% of that applied. Attempts to further purify CPG-purified BoF-IFN by zinc chelate affinity chromatography were unsuccessful.     

猪细小病毒结构蛋白VP2主要抗原表位区基因的克隆及原核表达

本文参照GenBank发表的猪细小病毒结构蛋白VP2基因序列,设计一对引物,通过PCR方法扩增出一段包含VP2主要抗原表位编码区的片段,产物克隆到pGEM-T载体上,酶切后插入原核表达载体pET-32(a)的T7启动子下游,构建的重组质粒pET-VP2经IPTG诱导,在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中获得了高效表达。SDS-PAGE结果显示,表达产物分子量为39.1KDa,主要以包涵体形式存在。BandScan分析,表达量约占菌体蛋白的65.2%。表达产物用His亲和层析柱纯化。Western blotting结果显示,该种蛋白能与阳性血清发生特异性反应。结果说明,该重组蛋白具有抗原性,可以作为鉴别诊断用抗原。     

大片吸虫硫氧还蛋白过氧化物酶基因的原核表达及免疫原性分析

构建大片吸虫硫氧还蛋白过氧化物酶(Fg.TPx)原核表达质粒,经大肠埃希菌Rosetta表达融合蛋白(Fg.TPx/His)并对其进行纯化和初步鉴定。PCR扩增Fg.TPx的基因片段,亚克隆至pET32a(+)中构建重组表达载体pPET32a-Fg.TPx。IPTG诱导表达,经镍离子亲和层析分离纯化后,进行SDS-PAGE和Western blot分析。重组质粒经限制性内切酶双酶切和测序分析表明构建成功,表达产物以可溶性和包涵体形式存在,纯度为90%,Wsetern blot证实该蛋白可与抗His单克隆抗体发生特异性结合反应,分子质量为TPx和His分子质量之和,表明是融合蛋白。重组蛋白可以被大片吸虫感染水牛阳性血清特异性识别。免疫家兔产生的抗体效价最高可达1∶4 000。成功构建了p ET32a-Fg.TPx原核表达质粒,重组蛋白得到高浓度表达,具有抗原性,为进一步研究其在大片吸虫病诊断中的应用奠定了基础。     

Quantitation of bovine immunoglobulin G2 antibodies binding Staphylococcus aureus, using a murine monoclonal antibody

A murine monoclonal antibody specific for bovine immunoglobulin (Ig) G2 was used to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure serum antibodies against the bovine pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. Anion exchange chromatography was used to prepare IgG2 from serum taken from a mastitic cow infected with S aureus. Specific-IgG2 antibodies binding S aureus were purified with an affinity column, using a heat-killed, low protein A strain of S aureus (M-10). Purified antibodies did not contain IgG1 or IgM and were composed of greater than 95% heavy and light chains determined on the basis of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Purified IgG2 anti-S aureus antibody was used as a reference in an ELISA that (i) could detect 5.0 ng of IgG2, (ii) was specific for IgG2 antibodies binding S aureus, (iii) was precise within and among different assays, (iv) yielded 112% recovery of the purified standard, and (v) when diluted in nonspecific IgG2, generated a curve that was parallel to the standard when a sample was serially diluted. A field study with cows having elevated California mastitis test scores showed evidence of infection with S aureus, as judged by a 59% increase (P less than 0.01) in IgG2 S aureus-specific antibodies and a 25% increase (P less than 0.05) in total IgG2 antibodies. There were no differences in IgG1 concentrations in plasma. Using indirect immunofluorescence, we also confirmed that bovine polymorphonuclear cells bound IgG2 preferentially over IgG1 or IgM. Measurement of antigen-specific IgG2 antibodies may therefore be useful as an index of specific antibody immunity to mastitis-causing organisms.