[Immunogenic properties of the colloidal gold]. / Immunogennye svoistva kolloidnogo zolota.

We studied the capacity of colloidal gold for enhancing specific and nonspecific immune response in laboratory animals (rabbits, rats, and mice) immunized with antigens of various nature. The antibody titers obtained with colloidal gold as a carrier were higher as compared to the standard immunization techniques (free antigen or Freund's adjuvant). Application of colloidal gold increased nonspecific immune responses as well: lysozyme concentration in the blood, activity of the complement system proteins, as well as phagocytic and bactericidal activities. The obtained antibodies were tested by immunodot assay using gold markers. Immunization of the animals with colloidal gold conjugates with haptens as well as complete antigens was shown to induce formation of highly active antibodies without using other antigens such as complete Freund's adjuvant. In addition, antigen quantities for animal immunization with colloidal gold was by one order of magnitude lower as compared to the complete Freund's adjuvant immunization. This fact can point to direct adjuvant activity of colloidal gold.

Use of dot-blot immunogold assay to identify a proliferative antigen in the initial cells of a wheat stem meristem.

We have devised a protocol for the isolation and identification of a proliferative antigen of the initial cells of wheat stem meristems (termed PAI). We have carried out a variety of immunochemical and immunocytochemical methods, using colloidal gold (CG) complexed with monospecific antibodies to PAI as the marker for the detection of PAI. We have been able to determine the effectiveness of immunoaffinity chromatography in isolating PAI from plant tissues and have shown the advantages of CG over enzyme labels for identification of the antigen. Finally, we have obtained a purified preparation of PAI and have determined its molecular mass (approximately 83 kDa).

[Polypeptides from murine peritoneal macrophages recognizing glycosaminylmuramoyl dipeptide]. / Polipeptidy iz peritoneal'nykh makrofagov myshi, uznaiushchikh gliukozaminilmuramoildipeptidy.

By means of radioligand analysis, murine peritoneal macrophages were shown to express several hundreds cell surface high-affinity GMDP-binding sites with a binding constant 350 pM. Photoaffinity labeling followed by SDS-PAGE enabled us to identify inside these cells 32-34 and 38 kDa proteins, specifically binding GMDP. Proteins 32-34 kDa were also detected by Western blotting analysis using biotinylated conjugate of polyacrylamide with immobilized GMDP-Lys [(GMDP-Lys)-PAA-(Bi)] in cell lysate of murine peritoneal macrophages.

Biochemical characterization of glucosaminylmuramyldipeptide binding sites of murine macrophages.

By using radioligand analysis, murine peritoneal macrophages were shown to express several hundred high-affinity cell surface GMDP-binding sites (Ka 350 pM). Photoaffinity labeling followed by SDS-PAGE enabled us to identify 32-34 and 38 kDa proteins inside these cells that bound GMDP specifically.

Muramyl peptide-binding sites are located inside target cells.

Using flow cytometry and fluorescence polarization analysis, specific muramyl peptide-binding sites were shown to be located inside T-lymphocytes, macrophages and neuroblastoma cells, but not inside B-cells. No binding sites were found on the cell surface. The number of binding sites for each cell type was determined. Two types of binding sites were observed for myelomonocytic WEHI-3 cells with Kd values of 21 and 540 nM. Inhibition analysis demonstrated that for effective binding, an intact glycopeptide molecule and D-configuration of isoglutamine residue are important.