Development of a rapid immunochromatographic strip test for the detection of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus specific SIgA in colostrum.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) causes very high mortality in newborn piglets. The mucosal immune system in the gut must eliminate potential pathogens while maintaining a mutually beneficial relationship with the commensal microbiota. Antibodies derived from the secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) class, act as the first line of antigen-specific immunity in the gut by recognizing both pathogens and commensals. Therefore, the measurement of SIgA levels is an important index in evaluating PEDV infections and immune status. A simple and rapid method for the detection of PEDV-specific SIgA using an immunochromatographic test strip has been developed; incorporating a colloidal gold-labeled anti-SIgA secretory component (SC) mAb probe for the detection of anti-PEDV-specific SIgA in swine. On the strip, a gold-labeled anti-SIgA SC mAb was applied to a conjugate pad; purified PEDV particles and goat anti-mouse antibodies were blotted onto a nitrocellulose membrane to form the test and control lines, respectively. Results showed that the immunochromatographic test strip had high sensitivity and specificity. When compared with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, kappa value suggesting that the strip could be used to detect PEDV specific SIgA in colostrum samples. Furthermore, the strip assay is rapid and easy to perform with no requirement for professional-level skills or equipment. We found that the immunochromatographic test strip was a rapid, sensitive, and reliable method for the identification of PEDV specific SIgA, indicating its suitability for epidemiological surveillance as well as vaccine immunity when studying PEDV.

Free and complexed-secretory immunoglobulin A triggers distinct intestinal epithelial cell responses.

Secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) antibodies play an important role in protecting the mucosal surfaces against pathogens and maintaining homeostasis with the commensal microbiota. Because a substantial portion of the gut microbiota is coated with SIgA, we hypothesized that microbiota-SIgA complexes are important for the maintenance of gut homeostasis. Here we investigated the relationship between microbiota-SIgA complexes and inflammatory epithelial cell responses. We used a multi-cellular three-dimensional (3D) organotypical model of the human intestinal mucosa composed of an intestinal epithelial cell line and primary human lymphocytes/monocytes, endothelial cells and fibroblasts. We also used human SIgA from human colostrum, and a prominent bacterial member of the first colonizers, Escherichia coli, as a surrogate commensal. We found that free and microbiota-complexed SIgA triggered different epithelial responses. While free SIgA up-regulated mucus production, expression of polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) and secretion of interleukin-8 and tumoir necrosis factor-α, microbiota-complexed SIgA mitigated these responses. These results suggest that free and complexed SIgA have different functions as immunoregulatory agents in the gut and that an imbalance between the two may affect gut homeostasis.

Detection and characterization of IgG- and sIgA-Abzymes capable of hydrolyzing histone H1.

Immunoglobulins IgG and sIgA actively hydrolyzing histone H1 have been detected on analyzing proteolytic activity of antibodies isolated by chromatography on Protein A-agarose from blood serum of patients with multiple sclerosis and from colostrum of healthy mothers. These antibodies hydrolyze other histones less actively and virtually failed to cleave lysozyme of chicken egg. By gel filtration at acidic pH and subsequent analysis of protease activity of chromatographic fractions, it was shown that IgG and sIgA molecules were responsible for hydrolysis of histone H1. Anti-histone H1 antibodies of IgG and sIgA classes were purified by affinity chromatography on histone H1-Sepharose from catalytically active antibody preparations. The protease activity of anti-histone H1 IgG antibodies was inhibited by serine proteinase inhibitors, whereas anti-histone H1 sIgA antibodies were insensitive to inhibitors of serine, asparagine, and cysteine proteases.

A comparison of the binding of secretory component to immunoglobulin A (IgA) in human colostral S-IgA1 and S-IgA2.

A detailed investigation of the binding of secretory component to immunoglobulin A (IgA) in human secretory IgA2 (S-IgA2) was made possible by the development of a new method of purifying S-IgA1, S-IgA2 and free secretory component from human colostrum using thiophilic gel chromatography and chromatography on Jacalin-agarose. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of unreduced pure S-IgA2 revealed that, unlike in S-IgA1, a significant proportion of the secretory component was bound non-covalently in S-IgA2. When S-IgA1 was incubated with a protease purified from Proteus mirabilis the secretory component, but not the alpha-chain, was cleaved. This is in contrast to serum IgA1, in which the alpha-chain was cleaved under the same conditions - direct evidence that secretory component does protect the alpha-chain from proteolytic cleavage in S-IgA. Comparisons between the products of cleavage with P. mirabilis protease of free secretory component and bound secretory component in S-IgA1 and S-IgA2 also indicated that, contrary to the general assumption, the binding of secretory component to IgA is different in S-IgA2 from that in S-IgA1.

Antibodies enhance interaction of Vibrio cholerae with intestinal M-like cells.

Intestinal M cells bear a receptor for secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) (sIgA) facing the lumen of the epithelial surfaces. Cells bearing this receptor are also found throughout an experimental monolayer consisting of polarized Caco-2 cells, a colon adenocarcinoma cell line. The presence of antibodies (mainly sIgA) in the lumen of the small intestine led us to explore the participation of the sIgA receptor and antibodies in the interaction of Caco-2-associated M-like cells with the mucosal pathogen Vibrio cholerae. Here, we demonstrate that sIgA antibodies isolated from pooled healthy human colostrums, as well as IgG from pooled healthy human serum, can recognize V. cholerae. Furthermore, opsonization enhances M-like-cell transcytosis of V. cholerae strains. We also show that the cholera toxin (CT) receptor ganglioside GM(1) colocalizes with the sIgA receptor in cells of the epithelial monolayer. Both sIgA and IgG antibodies compete for the attachment of soluble CT subunit B to immobilized GM(1). Our results indicate that in this in vitro model system of intestinal epithelia, human sIgA and IgG contribute to the uptake of V. cholerae by M-like cells, probably through an interaction with GM(1). Our results support previous findings of others showing that sIgA can act as an endogenous adjuvant and that sIgA is important for the antigen-sampling function of M cells.

Secretory immunoglobulin A obtained from pooled human colostrum and milk for oral passive immunization.

Passive immunization is useful in cases of immunodeficiencies or infectious diseases, but usually seric gammaglobulin or hyperimmune sera are administered parenterally, providing good systemic immunization, though with low protection of the mucosal surfaces. The oral administration of secretory antibodies, especially surface immunoglobulin (SIg)A, which is perfectly adapted to the mucosal environment, would therefore, be preferable. The aim of the present study was to obtain a SIgA preparation from pooled human colostrum and milk, which should maintain the essential properties of the antibodies suitable for clinical oral administration. IgA preparations were obtained from colostrum and milk pools by salt precipitation. The final products were evaluated in terms of yield and purity, as well as antibody activity to bacterial antigens and toxins and inhibitory activity of bacterial adhesion to epithelial cells. The best yield and purity were achieved when the colostrum pool was used as a source of IgA; the final product showed very few bands of protein contamination. The IgA preparations preserved the antibody reactivity against various microbial antigens, well comparable with the reactivity exhibited by the original milk and colostrum pools. SIgA preparations were able to inhibit greatly the adhesion of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli to Hep-2 cells and the invasion of enteroinvasive E. coli. These promising results show the feasibility of obtaining SIgA suitable for oral use, which may in future be administered to immunodeficient patients with gastrointestinal manifestations, from human colostrum and milk.

Purificación de IGA secretora y prepración de un antisuero específico / Purification of secretory IgA and prepation of an specific antiseru

Se purificó IgA secretora (IgAs) a partir de una mezcla de calostro humano mediante clarificación inicial y cromatografía de intercambio iónico. El suero de calostro, obtenido por acidificación y centrifugación se sometió a una cromatografía en una columna de DE-52 empleando solución tampón de fosfatos 0,01 M, pH 7,6 y posteriormente, un tampón de fosfatos 0,1 M, pH 6,4. La fracción eluida se pasó por una columna de CM-52 con un gradiente lineal de concentración con acético-acetato 0,005 M-0,5 M, pH 5,0. La pureza del producto final se demostró mediante inmunoelectroforesis y doble difusión, con el empleo de antisueros específicos. Con la IgA secretora purificada se inmunizó un grupo de conejos y se obtuvo un antisuero potente y de buena calidad (AU)

Purificación de IGA secretora y prepración de un antisuero específico / Purification of secretory IgA and prepation of an specific antiserum

Se purificó IgA secretora (IgAs) a partir de una mezcla de calostro humano mediante clarificación inicial y cromatografía de intercambio iónico. El suero de calostro, obtenido por acidificación y centrifugación se sometió a una cromatografía en una columna de DE-52 empleando solución tampón de fosfatos 0,01 M, pH 7,6 y posteriormente, un tampón de fosfatos 0,1 M, pH 6,4. La fracción eluida se pasó por una columna de CM-52 con un gradiente lineal de concentración con acético-acetato 0,005 M-0,5 M, pH 5,0. La pureza del producto final se demostró mediante inmunoelectroforesis y doble difusión, con el empleo de antisueros específicos. Con la IgA secretora purificada se inmunizó un grupo de conejos y se obtuvo un antisuero potente y de buena calidad

[The development of an immunoenzyme method for determining human secretory IgA]. / Razrabotka immunofermentnogo metoda dlia opredeleniia sekretornogo IgA cheloveka.

The results of the work on the development of an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) system for the determination of secretory IgA (S-IgA) are presented. A first, S-IgA was isolated from human colostrum and used as the basis for obtaining biologically active immunosorbent; then antibodies to S-IgA were isolated and the specific conjugate was obtained. The determination of S-IgA was carried out by the method of sandwich EIA. The newly developed EIA system permitted the determination of S-IgA only, giving no positive reactions with serum immunoglobulins. The data thus obtained make it possible to regard this assay system as specific, sensitive and suitable for further trials.

Secretory IgA, IgG, and IgM immunoglobulins isolated simultaneously from colostral whey by selective thiophilic adsorption.

In order to evaluate the collective contribution of immunoglobulins to gastrointestinal and immune system development in newborn infants, it would be advantageous to develop a simple and rapid procedure for the selective and quantitative removal of all immunoglobulin classes from colostrum and milk. Toward this end, the major immunoglobulin classes typically present in colostrum (IgM, sIgA, and IgG) have been isolated simultaneously by selective removal from a porcine colostral whey model system using a single-step, preparative scale procedure termed thiophilic adsorption. At neutral pH, the salt-promoted thiophilic affinity of immunoglobulins for the synthetic sulfone-thioether ligands exploits a common (as yet unknown) structural feature of immunoglobulins. The adsorption and recovery procedures operate efficiently under mild buffer conditions permitting the subsequent comparative biochemical analyses of individual immunoglobulin classes for structural and functional heterogeneity. Thus, 1 liter columns of thiophilic adsorbent (T-gel) were employed to obtain pure, structurally intact immunoglobulins from 1 liter batches of porcine colostral whey. The identity and purity of the isolated immunoglobulins were determined under both structure-stabilizing ('native') conditions and denaturing conditions using high-performance size-exclusion chromatography, sucrose density gradient centrifugation, immunodiffusion techniques, SDS-polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis with immunoblotting identification procedures, and two-dimensional electrophoresis. This is the first procedure known to us that allows for the simultaneous one-step isolation (under homologous conditions) of various immunoglobulins with preserved quaternary structure and apparent biological activity.

Selective removal, recovery, and characterization of immunoglobulins from human colostrum.

Investigations into the mechanisms by which Ig in human colostrum influence the development and maturation of both the gastrointestinal and the immune systems of human milk-fed term and preterm infants have been restricted by the paucity of purified human milk Ig. We have developed a simple adsorption procedure for the selective removal and quantitative recovery (95-100%) of intact Ig (secretory IgA, IgG, and IgM) present in human colostral whey. The procedure exploits the rapid, ionic-strength dependent, thiophilic adsorption of Ig during a single pass of colostral whey through a column of beaded agarose with immobilized thioether-sulfone ligands (Anal Biochem 1986;159:217-226). The purity and composition of the adsorbed Ig were verified by SDS-PAGE and sensitive silver-staining protein detection procedures; proteins of approximately 78-80 kD (secretory component), 50-60 kD (heavy chain), and 25 kD (light chain) were observed. The identity, structural integrity, and relative concentrations of the recovered Ig were confirmed by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography, Ouchterlony immunodiffusion, rocket immunoelectrophoresis and ELISA. These results were analyzed and compared with reported values for the concentration of human milk Ig. Thus, the use of thiophilic adsorption appears to facilitate 1) selective removal of Ig from colostrum, enabling the evaluation of remaining components for growth- and immune-potentiating properties, and 2) selective immobilization and recovery of Ig from colostrum under conditions consistent with preserved biologic activity.

Preliminary results concerning the presence of secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) in the serum of patients with IgA myeloma.

Using the immunosorbents realized by binding either antisecretory immunoglobulin A antibodies or antisecretory component ones to beads of cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol matrix, secretory immunoglobulin A, from the serum of patients with IgA myeloma was investigated. The related protein isolated with the same method from colostrum was comparatively studied. Studies were done by polyacrylamyde gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and SDS-PAGE, as well as by immunochemical methods. The two proteins obtained presented the same characteristics: a single fraction in PAGE and four fractions in SDS-PAGE. The determinations were carried out by immunoelectrophoresis and double diffusion using monospecific antisera proved the identity of the isolated proteins with secretory IgA.

A simple procedure for the isolation of human secretory IgA of IgA1 and IgA2 subclass by a jackfruit lectin, jacalin, affinity chromatography.

Jackfruit lectin, jacalin, prepared from two batches of jackfruit seeds showed a different specificity in precipitating reaction in Agarose gel with various purified immunoglobulins and secretory components. Jacalin-P, extracted from jackfruit seeds from the Philippines, reacts only with serum IgA and secretory IgA of IgA1 subclass. Jacalin-O, extracted from jackfruit seeds from Okinawa prefecture in Japan, makes a strong precipitin are with IgA1 subclass and a weak precipitin arc with IgA2 subclass of IgA2m(2) allotype, IgM, IgD and IgE. Human secretory IgA of IgA1 subclass was isolated from human milk by a single jacalin-P affinity chromatography using D-galactose as a dissociating agent. From conventionally purified human secretory IgA preparation, secretory IgA of IgA1 subclass and of IgA2 subclass were separated from each other. The former was separated as jacalin-P adsorbed fraction and the latter as jacalin-P non-adsorbed fraction by the affinity chromatography. Subclass composition of secretory IgA in human milk was determined by the affinity column and was calculated to be 70% for IgA1 and 30% for IgA2 subclass. Jacalin affinity chromatography has several advantages compared with antibody coupled affinity chromatography, notably, high capacity, inexpensiveness, and very mild extraction of IgA1 subclass.

Separation of human IgA1 and IgA2 using jacalin-agarose chromatography.

A lectin isolated from the tropical jackfruit, jacalin, previously reported to precipitate human immunoglobulin A (IgA), and conjugated to agarose was used to separate the two subclasses of IgA from secretions. Jacalin-agarose binds specifically to the D-galactose moiety of IgA1 but not to IgA2 which has a different carbohydrate content and structure. IgA2 passed through the jacalin-agarose column and was collected in the void volume. IgA1 was eluted from the lectin by 0.8 M galactose. Of a representative diluted anti-alpha chain-purified colostral IgA preparation containing 50.2 micrograms IgA1 and 55.8 micrograms IgA2, 40.3 micrograms IgA1 (80.3% of the original) and 49.6 micrograms IgA2 (88.9%) was collected following jacalin-agarose chromatography. The jacalin-purified IgA1 fraction contained 8.0% IgA2 and the IgA2 fraction contained no IgA1. In addition, the IgA1 and IgA2 fractions had naturally occurring antibody activity to a normal oral bacterium. The method is easy, reproducible and specific and has many applications to mucosal immunological investigations.

[Experiences in the preparation of the secretory IgA and secretory component from human colostrum]. / Erfahrungen bei der Präparation von sekretorischem IgA und sekretorischer Komponente aus Humankolostrum.

With the isolation of secretory IgA and secretory component from human colostrum following the route communicated by Kobayashi some differences revealed with respect to the preparative results. Mainly problems arising from lactoferrin and IgM encouraged us to offer some varied laboratory instructions.

Binding of immune complexes to IgA-sepharose 4B.

A method for the determination and removal of circulating immune complexes in pathological sera was developed using human secretory or dimeric myeloma IgA covalently bound to Sepharose 4B. IgA-Sepharose 4B was able to selectively bind heat or antigen-aggregated human IgG (circulating immune complexes) but not monomeric IgG. The absorbent was also able to remove a very high proportion (95%) of circulating immune complexes from pathological sera as determined by a turbidimetric technique. An immunoradiometric assay for the direct measurement of circulating immune complexes is described. The assay uses IgA-Sepharose 4B as an absorbent (for the binding of IgG immune complexes from sera) and 125I-rabbit anti-IgG antibody (for the quantitation of IgG immune complexes bound to IgA-Sepharose 4B). The mean value obtained for pathological sera (27.1 +/- 0.9) was significantly higher than that of normal sera (4.8 +/- 0.5).