Anti-metatype antibodies in immunoassays

In this review anti-metatype antibodies are described invoking new principles in immunoassay development. Anti-metatype antibodies are immunological reagents specific for the conformation of the liganded antibody active site which do not interact with bound ligand or unliganded antibody. Relationships between anti-metatype antibody reactivity and the ligand-induced conformational state of monoclonal antibodies are reviewed with emphasis on the fluorescein hapten as a small molecule model system. One characteristic result of the interaction of anti-metatype antibodies with liganded antibodies is a significant delay in the dissociation rate (k₂) of the ligand bound within the primary immune complex. The latter is an important consideration for assay development. Polyclonal and monoclonal anti-metatype antibody reagents are characterized in terms of their differential effects on the ligand dissociation rate. Anti-metatype antibody reactivity is further discussed in terms of protein-protein specificity patterns and relative interactions with idiotype-family members, structural derivatives, and site-specific mutants. Incorporation of principles inherent in the anti-metatype concept and their application to assay development are summarized.Abbreviations D₂O deuterium oxide - Fab 50 kd antibody fragment containing V_HC_H1 + V_LC_L domains - FITC(I) fluorescein isothiocyanate (isomer I) - Fv 26 kd fragment of the antibody molecule containing the variable domains of the H and L chains - Ig immunoglobulin - IgG immunoglobulin G with a mol. wt. of 150 kd. - IgM immunoglobulin M with a mol. wt. of 10⁶d - Id idiotype - Ka antibody affinity (k₁/k₂) in M^–1 - k₁ second order rate of ligand association in M^–1s^–1 - k₂ first order rate of ligand dissociation in s^–1 - K_D dissociation constant or the reciprocal of the affinity constant (1/Ka) - Mab monoclonal antibody - Met metatype - NMR nuclear magnetic resonance - SCA single chain Fv derivative containing a synthetic linker between the two variable domains - V_H variable domain of the antibody H chain - V_L variable domain of the antibody L chain     

Construction and Characterization of an Anti‐Prion scFv Fusion Protein Pair for Detection of Prion Protein on Antibody Chip

Abstract

A pair of single chain Fv fragment (scFv) fusion proteins were constructed and characterized. Antibody chips using the pair were designed for sensitive detection of prion protein. Phage displayed antibody library was synthesized by immunizing mice with thioredoxin‐mature bovine prion fusion protein (TrxA‐bPrP^c). After five rounds of panning against recombinant bovine prion protein (rb‐PrP^c) and ELISA test, two positive clones with high affinity to rb‐PrP^c, named Z163 and Z186, were obtained. They were conjugated with a linker‐streptavidin binding protein (SBP) or human IgG1 constant fragment (Fc) to form the scFv fusion protein pair Z186‐L‐SBP/Z163‐Fc. Western blot experiments showed that the scFv fusion pair specifically interacted with the line epitopes of the protease resistant core region bPrP27‐30. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensorgrams revealed that the equilibrium dissociation constants of the interactions with rb‐PrP^c were 3.24×10^?8 M, 8.82×10^?8M, and 8.10×10^?9 M for Z186‐L‐SBP, Z163, and Z163‐Fc, respectively. All binding reactions followed rapid association and slow dissociation kinetics. As a detection pair, Z186‐L‐SBP functioned as a capture probe and was immobilized on the streptavidin coated slides to form reactive layer of the antibody chip, and Z163‐Fc labeled with fluorescence dye Cy3 functioned as a detection probe generating fluorescence signal. The antibody chip could detect existence of rb‐PrP^c with detection limit of 1 pg/ml.     

Generation of a Recombinant Full-Length Human Antibody Binding to Botulinum Neurotoxin A

In order to develop a recombinant full-length human anti-botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) antibody, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected from three healthy volunteers and induced for BoNT/A-specific immune response by in vitro immunization. The genes encoding human Fd fragment, consisting of antibody heavy chain variable region and constant region 1 with the genes encoding antibody light chain, were cloned from the immunized PBMC. Afterwards, one combinatory human antigen-binding fragment (Fab) library was constructed using a lambda phage vector system. The size of the constructed library was approximately 10⁵ Escherichia coli transformants. After screening the library by BoNT/A antigen using a plaque lifting with immunostaining approach, 55 clones were identified as positive. The Fab gene of the most reactive clone exhibiting particularly strong BoNT/A binding signal was further subcloned into a full-length human IgG1 antibody gene template in an adenoviral expression vector, in which the heavy and light chains were linked by a foot-and-mouth-disease virus-derived 2A self-cleavage peptide under a single promoter. After the full-length human IgG1 was expressed in mammalian cells and purified with protein L column, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that the heavy and light chains of the antibody were cleaved completely. The affinity expressed as the dissociation constant (K _d) for the recombinant human antibody to bind to BoNT/A was determined by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and results confirmed that the recombinant full-length human antibody retained BoNT/A-binding specificity with K _d value of 10⁻⁷ M.     

A New Generic Enzyme Immunoassay for Sulfonamides

Abstract

The study was directed to the development of generic immunoenzyme assay for sulfonamides. N‐sulfanil‐4‐aminobutyric acid which mimics the common part of sulfonamides was used as immunogenic hapten. The obtained rabbit polyclonal antibodies allowed detection of the N‐sulfanil‐4‐aminobutyric acid in indirect competitive immunoenzyme assay down to 0.03 ng ml^?1. The lowest detection limit for the sulfonamides tested, 0.1 ng ml^?1, was observed for sulfamethoxypyridazine. Eleven other sulfonamides could be determined at concentrations ranging from 1–37 ng ml^?1. Thus, the proposed technique can be used in class‐specific sulfonamides detection in products of animal origin.     

Hapten heterology for a specific and sensitive indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for organophosphorus insecticide fenthion

Five haptens with different spacer-arm attachment sites on the structure of the organophosphorus insecticide fenthion were designed and synthesized. All of the haptens were conjugated with ovalbumin (OVA) for the coating antigen, and three haptens containing all or most of the structure of fenthion were conjugated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) for the immunogen. Six polyclonal antisera were raised against the three BSA conjugates, and 30 antibody/coating conjugate combinations were selected for studies of assay sensitivity and specificity for fenthion. The study revealed the best combination with high sensitivity (I₅₀ of 0.08 ng mL⁻¹) and high assay specificity, which indicated that when structural difference between the analyte and an immunizing hapten is less than that between a coating hapten and the immunizing hapten, a high sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the heterologous system may stand a good chance to be developed. The immunity results showed that heterology in the hapten spacer-arm attachment site of the immunogen could achieve a remarkable improvement in the quantity, sensitivity, and/or specificity of antibody, and that the moiety of an analyte, which is the same as the moiety near/on the immunizing spacer-arm hapten attachment site, contributes greatly to the interaction of antibody and hapten.     

Antigen Responsive Hydrogels Based on Polymerizable Antibody Fab′ Fragment

Novel antigen responsive hydrogels were prepared by using polymerizable antibody Fab′ fragment from monoclonal anti‐fluorescein BDC1 antibody (IgG2a). To form Fab′ containing hydrogels, the polymerizable Fab′ fragment was copolymerized with N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and N,N′‐methylenebis(acrylamide) (MBAAm; crosslinker) using redox initiators. The thermosensitivity of the hydrogels decreased with increasing Fab′ fragment content. The antigen responsiveness of the hydrogels depended on the Fab′ content, pH, and temperature. When the hydrogels were alternately exposed to antigens fluorescein (FL) and polyamidoamine dendrimer (PAMAM)‐fluorescein (FD), significant reversible volume changes were observed for the hydrogel containing 50% (w/w) Fab′ fragment at 33.7 and 36.8 °C in acetate buffer (10 mM , pH 5.0), respectively, but not at 27.7 °C or in PBS buffer (10 mM , pH 7.4). No noticeable reversible volume changes were observed with pure PNIPAAm hydrogel and the gel containing 10% (w/w) Fab′ fragment.

Structure of Fab′ containing hydrogels.     

Direct determination of biacetyl in fats by sensitized room temperature phosphorescence

A direct method for the determination of biacetyl in butter and margarine by sensitized room temperature phosphorescence (SRTP) is described. After dissolution of the sample in hexane, biacetyl is isolated by distillation, and its native phosphorescence is sensitized by a non-polar linear furocoumarin, 4′5′-dihydro-3-carbethoxypsoralen. The limit of detection is 0.05 ng ml^?1 biacetyl, with a linear response from 1 × 10^?4 to 1 μg ml^?1 (r = 0.999). The RSD is 3.5% at 100 ng ml^?1.     

Determination of technetium based on quenching of the fluorescence of some organic compounds,with application to vegetation

Technetium is an effective quencher of the fluorescence produced by 2,5-diphenyloxazole (PPO), 1,4-bis(4-methyl-5-phenyl-2-oxazolyl)benzene (POPOP) and 2,2′-pyridil [1,2-dioxo-1,2-bis(2-pyridyl)ethane]. Spectrofluorimetric procedures for 0.01–12 μg Tc ml^?1 with PPO and 0.1–12 μg ml^?1 with 2,2′-pyridil, and a spectrophotometric method for 1–15 μg ml^?1 are described. The distribution of technetium in vegetation is measured by applying the PPO method.     

Competitive Chemiluminescent Immunoassay for the Sensitive Point-of-Care Determination of Metoprolol

A competitive chemiluminescence immunoassay which can be used for point-of-care testing and blood screening of metoprolol is reported. Four haptens for metoprolol were synthesized. An octanedioic acid-modified hapten was conjugated with bovine serum albumin to serve as the immunogen and the haptens were conjugated with ovalbumin for the coating antigen. Polyclonal antibodies for metoprolol were produced and the detection conditions were optimized. A competitive chemiluminescence immunoassay was established based on the produced antibody with potential for bedside therapeutic monitoring of metoprolol. The limit of detection in phosphate-buffered saline was 2?ng?mL^?1. Satisfactory recovery values from 89.3 to 107.6% in plasma were achieved. The results provided by the reported method were consistent with values obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography for pharmacokinetic studies. The immunoassay has potential to be developed as a test kit offering a simple and cost-effective approach for on-site monitoring of metoprolol.     

Labeless Immunosensor Assay for the Stroke Marker Protein S-100[β] Based Upon an AC Impedance Protocol

We developed label less immunosensors for the stroke marker protein S-100[β], utilizing polyaniline electrode microarrays as substrates to immobilize biotinylated S-100[β] antibodies using classical affinity approaches. The AC impedance studies, before and after exposure to solutions of S-100[β], showed increasing antigen concentration caused increases in the real component of the impedance. Subtracting specific and non-specific antibody responses eliminated non-specific adsorption effects. Linear impedimetric responses toward S-100[β] in buffer solutions over a concentration range of 0–50 pg ml^?1 were observed. The limit of detection of the immunosensor was 1 pg ml^?1 S-100[β], discrimination was possible at 10 pg ml^?1.     

Development of a Specific Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for the Analysis of the Organophosphorous Pesticide Fenthion in Real Samples Based on Monoclonal Antibody

A new specific monoclonal antibody against the organophosphorous pesticide fenthion was produced based on our previous study. A sensitive and specific Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for fenthion based on the new immunizing/coating hapten combination was developed. In this study, the H₁ which attempts to expose the aromatic ring group was conjugated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) for the immunogen. All of the haptens that have been synthesized were conjugated with ovalbumin (OVA) for the coating antigen. The efficient antibody/coating conjugated combinations were selected, and the optimized ELISA was developed. In the optimized system, the IC₅₀ value was 5.8 ng · mL^?1 with the detection limit (IC₂₀) of 0.028 ng · mL^?1. The cross reactivity with all of the tested pesticides was lower than the 0.5%. Also, the system can detect the fenthion addition to the real samples such as soil, water, rice, and Chinese cabbages.     

Effect of hapten structures on specific and sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for N-methylcarbamate insecticide metolcarb

Five different haptens of the N-methylcarbamate insecticide metolcarb were designed and synthesized. All of the haptens were conjugated with ovalbumin (OVA) for the coating antigen, and one hapten containing all of the structure of metolcarb was conjugated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) for the immunogen. Two polyclonal antisera were raised against the BSA conjugate, and ten antibody/coating conjugate combinations were selected for studies of assay sensitivity and specificity for metolcarb. A class-specific combination was found, with the I₅₀ of the assay ranged from 0.64 to 20.98 μg mL⁻¹ for seven tested N-methylcarbamate insecticides except for pirimicarb. Considering titer, I₅₀ and cross-reactivity of all combinations of antibody/coating conjugate, a competitive indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in a homologous system, whose limit of detection (LoD) reached 1.4 ng mL⁻¹, was presented. The results of competitive ELISAs indicated that coating hapten structure can significantly affect not only assay sensitivity but also its specificity.     

Kinetic spectrophotometric determination of indium/gallium mixtures

A kinetic method is presented for the determination of 0.5–5 μg ml^?1 gallium based on its activating effect on the copper(II)-catalyzed oxidation of 4,4′-dihydroxybenzophenone thiosemicarbazone by hydrogen peroxide. The reaction is monitored spectrophotometrically at 415 nm. Two sets of reaction conditions are established; one for the direct determination of gallium, and another, in which indium affects the gallium response, for determination of indium. Mixtures of these cations can be determined at μg ml^?1 levels and in gallium/indium ratios from 7.5:1 to 1:1.6, with an accuracy and precision of ca. 4.5%.     

An extraction-spectrophotometric determination of palladium with 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol in the presence of diphenylguanidine

A new, sensitive spectrophotometric determination of palladium has been developed, based on the extraction of the red Pd(II) chelate with 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol in the presence of N,N′-diphenylguanidine into n-butanol; the sensitivity of the method according to Sandell is S = 1.12 μg cm^?2, ?₅₃₀ = 9.4 × 10⁴ liters mol^?1 cm^?1, and palladium can be determined at concentrations from 0.21 to 1.91 μg ml^?1.     

Spectrophotofluorimetric Determination of Trace Amounts of Aluminium with 2,2′-Dihydroxy-3,3′-dicarboxy-1, 1′-Dinaphthylmethane (Pamoic Acid)

Abstract

Fluorescence properties of 2,2′-dihydroxy-3,3′-dicarboxy -1,1′-dinaphthylmethane (pamoic acid) and of its aluminium 1:1 complex are described. The fluorescence of the latter, as measured from a water-dioxane (3:7, v/v) solution, at pH 5.05–5.20, at room temperature, is used as a basis for a new method of aluminium determination at submicrogram level. Limit of quantification of the proposed procedure is 0.028 ng.ml^?1, range of applicability goes up to 1.7 ug.ml^?1, RSD is 1% at 0.47 ug.ml^?1 level (concentrations, given refer to HCl solution which is measured) Tolerance ratios for several interferent metal ions are given. A comparison is made with Kirkbright's method which uses 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid as complexing agent: stability with time of the readings and freedom from Fe(III) interference are the main advantages of the proposed procedure. The new method is applied to the aluminium determination in atmospheric aerosol samples.     

An immunoassay for bisphenol A based on direct hapten conjugation to the polystyrene surface of microtiter plates

Based on direct hapten coated format a competitive indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ciELISA) for bisphenol A (BPA) was developed. Polystyrene surface was modified by 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) to produce amino groups after H₂SO₄/HNO₃-pre-treatment. 4,4-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) valeric acid (BVA) which is analogue of BPA, was successfully immobilized on the surface of microtiter plates by N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) method. The essential steps of the assay were optimized, especially blocking procedure which is key step to prevent unspecific binding of antibody. The results indicated that compared with hapten-protein coated format (IC₅₀ = 176.67 ng ml⁻¹, LOD = 15.90 ng ml⁻¹), the direct hapten coated format (IC₅₀ = 23.50 ng ml⁻¹, LOD = 0.27 ng ml⁻¹) could improve assay sensitivity and the detection ranges were 2.30 ng∼157.60 ng ml⁻¹ with good signal reproducibility (P value > 0.05) after careful optimization of assay conditions. Tap water samples and seawater samples were spiked with a known amount of BPA and measured by ciELISA. The average recoveries were between 70 and 142%. As far as we are aware this is the most sensitive ELISA for BPA yet reported.     

Development of an Enzyme Immunoassay for the Determination of the Herbicide Metsulfuron-Methyl Based on Chicken Egg Yolk Antibodies

Abstract

The development of an indirect competitive enzyme immunoassay for the sulfonylurea herbicide metsulfuron-methyl (MSM) is described. In contrast to traditional antibody generation in mammals, this extremely sensitive method is based on chicken egg yolk antibodies (IgY). They were raised in laying hens using an MSM-derivative-BSA hapten as immunogen. With a 1:10000 dilution of the antibody solution and a coating antigen (MSM-derivative-KLH) concentration of 10 μg L^?1 the IC₅₀ value achieved for the target analyte was 0.4 μg L^?1. The least detectable dose was established at 13 ng L^?1. Cross-reactivity was tested with 5 structurally related compounds, where only sulfometuron showed a significant binding. The ELISA was tested with spiked tap and surface water samples. This paper, for the first time, demonstrates the production of high-affinity IgY antibodies for a herbicide compound.     

Electron impact,chemical ionization and negative chemical ionization mass spectra,and mass-analysed ion kinetic energy spectrometry–collision-induced dissociation fragmentation pathways of some deuterated 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) derivatives

Mass-analysed ion kinetic energy spectrometry (MIKES) with collision-induced dissociation (CID) has been used to study the fragmentation processes of a series of deuterated 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and deuterated 2,4,6-trinitrobenzylchloride (TNTCI) derivatives. Typical fragment ions observed in both groups were due to loss of OR′ (R′ = H or D) and NO. In TNT, additional fragment ibns are due to the loss of R₂′O and 3NO₂, whilst in TNTCI fragment ions are formed by the loss of OCI and R₂′OCI. The TNTCI derivatives did not produce molecular ions. In chemical ionization (Cl) of both groups. MH⁺ ions were observed, with [M – OR′]⁺ fragments in TNT and [M – OCI]⁺ fragments in TNTCI. In negative chemical ionization (NCI) TNT derivatives produced M^?′, [M–R′]^?, [M–OR′]^? and [M–NO]^? ions, while TNTCI derivatives produced [M–R]^?, [M–Cl]^? and [M – NO₂]^? fragment ions without a molecular ion.     

Rate constants for the addition of the 2-cyano-2-propyl radical to alkenes in solution

Absolute rate constants for the addition of the 2-cyano-2-propyl radical to 26 alkenes CH₂=CXY at 315 K were determined in solution by time-resolved electron-spin-resonance spectroscopy. They vary with the alkene substituents from 30 M^?1 s^?1 to 7′010 M^?1 s^?1. For styrene the temperature dependence is given by log k/M^?1 s^?1 = 7.7 ? 26.1/Θ where Θ = 2.303 RT in kJ/mol. An analysis of the substituent effects in terms of polar and enthalpic factors reveals a dominant influence of the overall reaction enthalpy. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.