Recombinant barley-produced antibody for detection and immunoprecipitation of the major bovine milk allergen, ß-lactoglobulin.

Recombinant allergens and antibodies are needed for diagnostic, therapeutic, food processing and quality verification purposes. The aim of this work was to develop a barley-based production system for ß-lactoglobulin (BLG) specific immunoglobulin E antibody (D1 scFv). The expression level in the best barley cell clone was 0.8-1.2 mg/kg fresh weight, and was constant over an expression period of 21 days. In the case of barley grains, the highest stable productivity (followed up to T2 grains) was obtained when the D1 scFv cDNA was expressed under a seed-specific Glutelin promoter rather than under the constitutive Ubiquitin promoter. Translational fusion of ER retention signal significantly improved the accumulation of recombinant antibody. Furthermore, lines without ER retention signal lost D1 scFv accumulation in T2 grains. Pilot scale purification was performed for a T2 grain pool (51 g) containing 55.0 mg D1 scFv/kg grains. The crude extract was purified by a two-step purification protocol including IMAC and size exclusion chromatography. The purification resulted in a yield of 0.47 mg of D1 scFv (31 kD) with high purity. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that 29 % of the purified protein was fully functional. In immunoprecipitation assay the purified D1 scFv recognized the native 18 kD BLG in the milk sample. No binding was observed with the heat-treated milk sample, as expected. The developed barley-based expression system clearly demonstrated its potential for application in the processing of dairy milk products as well as in detecting allergens from foods possibly contaminated by bovine milk.

In vivo detection of vascular adhesion protein-1 in experimental inflammation.

Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) is an inflammation-inducible endothelial glycoprotein which mediates leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions. To study the pathogenetic significance of VAP-1 in inflammatory disorders, an in vivo immunodetection method was used to detect the regulation of luminally expressed VAP-1 in experimental skin and joint inflammation in the pig and dog. Moreover, VAP-1 was studied as a potential target to localize inflammation by radioimmunoscintigraphy. Up-regulation of VAP-1 in experimental dermatitis and arthritis could be visualized by specifically targeted immunoscintigraphy. Moreover, the translocation of VAP-1 to the functional position on the endothelial surface was only seen in inflamed tissues. These results suggest that VAP-1 is both an optimal candidate for anti-adhesive therapy and a potential target molecule for imaging inflammation.

Engineering, purification and applications of His-tagged recombinant antibody fragments with specificity for the major birch pollen allergen, bet v1.

Type I allergy, an immunodisorder affecting almost 20% of the population worldwide, is based on the production of IgE antibodies against per se harmless allergens. We report the expression of hexahistidine-tagged antibody fragments (Fabs) with specificity for Bet v1, the major birch pollen allergen, in Escherichia coli. The cDNA coding for the heavy chain fragment of a mouse monoclonal anti-Bet v1 antibody, Bip 1, was engineered by PCR to contain a hexahistidine-encoding 3' end. The modified Bip1 heavy chain cDNA was co-expressed in E. coli XL-1 Blue with the Bip 1 light chain cDNA using the combinatorial plasmid pComb3H. His-tagged recombinant (r) Bip 1 Fabs were isolated by nickel affinity chromatography and rBip 1 Fabs without His-tag were purified via affinity to rBet v1. rBip 1 Fabs with and without His-tag bound specifically to rBet v1 and, like Bet v1 -specific human serum IgE and rabbit-anti rBet v1 antibodies, cross-reacted with Bet v1-related allergens in other plant-species (alder, oak, hazelnut). We demonstrate the usefulness of His-tagged rBip 1 Fabs (1) for the identification of pollen samples containing Bet v 1 by particle blotting, (2) forthe detection of Bet v1-specific IgE antibodies in human serum samples by sandwich ELISA and (3) for the quantification of Bet v1 in solution. Based on these examples we suggest to use rBip 1 Fabs for the detection of Bet v1 and Bet v1-related allergens in natural allergen sources for allergy prevention, as well as for the standardization of natural allergen extracts produced for diagnosis and immunotherapy of birch pollen allergy.

Use of a quartz crystal microbalance to monitor immunoliposome--antigen interaction.

We have used quartz crystal microbalance (QCM)-based real-time biospecific interaction measurement to analyze the binding of immunoliposomes to antigen and examined the use of liposomes as signal-enhancing reagents in competitive QCM immunoassay. For the preparation of immunoliposomes, various amounts of bacterially produced lipid-tagged single-chain antibody against 2-phenyloxazolone were incorporated in phosphatidylcholine liposomes. The immunoliposomes bound specifically to immobilized hapten, and this binding was inhibited by soluble hapten in a concentration-dependent manner. In this competitive assay, antigen could be measured in the concentration range from 10(-5) to 10(-8) M.

A fluoroimmunoassay based on immunoliposomes containing genetically engineered lipid-tagged antibody.

Immunoliposomes were prepared by using biosynthetically lipid-tagged anti-2-phenyloxazolone single-chain antibody. Carboxyfluorescein as a fluorescent marker was encapsulated in the immunoliposomes. Some conditions for fluoroimmunoassay using the immunoliposomes were optimized by binding assays with hapten-coated microtiter wells. A competitive fluoroimmunoassay for the caproic acid conjugate of 2-phenyloxazolone as a model antigen was performed with the immunoliposomes. In the optimized assay conditions, antigen could be determined in the concentration range from 10(-7) to 10(-9) M.

Europium chelate-loaded liposomes: a tool for the study of binding and integrity of liposomes.

Using the biotin-streptavidin interaction as a model, we investigated the suitability of lanthanide chelates as encapsulated liposomal labels in liposome-based binding assays. Large unilamellar phospholipid:cholesterol liposomes containing europium-DTPA chelate and biotinylated phosphatidylethanolamine were prepared by detergent dialysis. The resulting Eu-liposomes ([symbol: see text] 120 nm) bound specifically to streptavidin in microtiter wells as measured by time-resolved fluorometric assay (TRF). The intensity of fluorescence released from the bound liposomes was dependent on the concentration of biotin in the liposome membrane, the concentration of europium entrapped in the liposomes, the incubation time and the amount of liposomes used in the assay. The sensitivity of the TRF assay allowed the detection of binding of attomole quantities of liposomes. The streptavidin-immobilised liposomes subjected to porcine pancreatic phospholipase A2 (EC 3.1.1.4) and detergents displayed a dose-dependent release of the encapsulated europium. Lanthanide-chelate-liposomes should prove useful for studies addressing binding and stability of liposomes.

Secretion of green fluorescent protein from recombinant baculovirus-infected insect cells.

Trichoplusia ni (High Five) and Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf21) cells were engineered for expression of epitope (Flag)-tagged signal peptide-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions to examine the suitability of GFP as a secretory marker. The recombinant baculovirus-infected cells became fluorescent, and the High Five cells but not Sf21 cells secreted GFP in the culture medium as detected by the presence in the culture supernatant of a Flag-immunoreactive 30-kDa species and the characteristic 510-nm GFP fluorescence peak. Signal peptides derived from ecdysteroid UDP-glucosyltransferase of Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus and from rat brain glutamate receptor were both able to promote secretion of GFP. GFP may thus be used as a research tool in the study of the secretory process in insect cells both in cell biology and in biotechnological applications.

Use of genetically engineered lipid-tagged antibody to generate functional europium chelate-loaded liposomes. Application in fluoroimmunoassay.

Biosynthetically lipid-tagged single-chain antibody (Laukkanen et al., Protein Eng. 6 (1993) 449; Biochemistry 33 (1994) 11664) has been used to functionalize europium (Eu3+) chelate-loaded liposomes. The resulting Eu immunoliposomes displayed specific hapten-binding activity and little non-specific binding in time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA). No loss of entrapped marker nor of binding activity was observed after storage of Eu immunoliposomes for 1 month at 4 degrees C. In comparison with Eu-labeled free single-chain antibody, Eu immunoliposomes produced a higher signal and provided increased sensitivity in a sandwich-type immunoassay. These results demonstrate the potential of Eu immunoliposomes as signal-amplifying reagents in TR-FIA.

Functional immunoliposomes harboring a biosynthetically lipid-tagged single-chain antibody.

An anti-2-phenyloxazolone single-chain antibody was expressed in Escherichia coli as a lipoprotein fusion in order to generate a biosynthetically lipid-tagged molecule [Laukkanen et al. (1993) Protein Eng. 6, 449-454]. For purification, a hexahistidinyl tag was introduced to the C-terminus of the protein. The resulting antibody, termed Ox lpp-scFv-H6, was membrane-bound, displayed hapten-binding activity, and contained the lipoprotein-specific lipid modification as indicated by metabolic [3H]palmitic acid labeling. The Ox lpp-scFv-H6 was purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography followed by hapten-based affinity chromatography to essential homogeneity with a yield of 0.4-1.6 mg/L of culture. In detergent dialysis, the purified antibody partitioned quantitatively into phospholipid liposomes. The immunoliposome preparation consisting of a homogeneous population of unilamellar 100-200 nm vesicles displayed specific hapten-binding activity as measured by using ELISA and surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based real-time biospecific interaction analysis. In SPR experiments, the immunoliposomes exhibited virtually irreversible binding to immobilized hapten compared to soluble antibody fragments, consistent with the predicted multivalent binding. Biosynthetic lipid-tagging of antibodies may prove useful for immunoliposome-based diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

High-level expression of functional glutamate receptor channels in insect cells.

We have expressed glutamate-gated ion channels in Spodoptera frugiperda Sf21 insect cells using a recombinant baculovirus system. Cells infected with recombinant baculoviruses encoding the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA)-selective glutamate receptor channel subunits GluR-B and GluR-D displayed specific high-affinity [3H]AMPA binding (apparent dissociation constant Kd of 15 nM for GluR-B and 40 nM for GluR-D) with pharmacological profiles typical of AMPA receptors. The binding reached maximal levels (Bmax of 15-30 pmol per mg of membrane protein) by 3-4 days postinfection. AMPA, glutamate and kainate triggered inward currents in GluR expressing cells, indicating assembly of functional homomeric channels. Formation of heteromeric GluR-B/D channels in doubly-infected cells was evident from the diagnostic current-voltage relations of AMPA-activated whole-cell currents. For the solubilization of the receptor, nonionic detergents Triton X-100, n-octyl-D-glucoside and n-dodecylmaltoside proved most effective. Detergent-solubilized receptor preparations were stable, retained their characteristic ligand-binding properties and bound to immobilized wheat germ lectin, demonstrating the glycosylation of insect cell-expressed GluR subunits. The expression level of 300-400 micrograms of receptor protein per liter of suspension culture should facilitate production of glutamate receptors for biochemical and structural studies.

Biosynthetic lipid-tagging of antibodies.

Chemical conjugation of fatty acids to antibodies generates lipid-modified molecules which have found use in the targeting of liposome-mediated drug delivery and in liposome-based immunoassays. Alternatively, bacterial expression of antibodies as single-chain FV fragments fused to lipoprotein signal peptide and N-terminal sequence leads to in vivo enzymatic addition of a single glycerolipid group at the N-terminus of the molecule. This lipid-modification converts the antibody from a soluble protein into a functional membrane-bound molecule. These biosynthetically lipid-tagged antibodies may prove useful for immobilization of antibodies to membranes in various biotechnological applications.

Lipid-tagged antibodies: bacterial expression and characterization of a lipoprotein-single-chain antibody fusion protein.

In order to achieve a stable and functional immobilization of antibodies, we investigated the possibility of adding hydrophobic membrane anchors to antibody fragments expressed in Escherichia coli. The DNA sequence encoding the signal peptide and the nine N-terminal amino acid residues of the major lipoprotein of E.coli was fused to the sequence of an anti-2-phenyloxazolone single-chain Fv antibody fragment [Takkinen et al. (1991) Protein Engng, 4,837-841]. The expression of the fusion construct in E.coli resulted in specific accumulation of an immunoreactive 28 kDa polypeptide. Unlike the unmodified single-chain Fv fragment, the fusion protein was cell-associated, labelled by [3H]palmitate which is indicative of the presence of N-terminal lipid modification, partitioned into the detergent phase upon Triton X-114 phase separation and was localized predominantly in the bacterial outer membrane. The fusion antibody displayed specific 2-phenyloxazolone-binding activity in the membrane-bound form and after solubilization with non-ionic detergents. Furthermore, upon removal of detergent the fusion antibody was incorporated into proteoliposomes which displayed specific hapten-binding activity. Our results show that antibodies can be converted to membrane-bound proteins with retention of antigen-binding properties by introduction of lipid anchors during biosynthesis. This approach may prove useful in the design of immunoliposomes and immunosensors.

An active single-chain antibody containing a cellulase linker domain is secreted by Escherichia coli.

Single-chain antibodies consist of the variable, antigen-binding domains of antibodies joined to a continuous polypeptide by genetically engineered peptide linkers. We have used the flexible interdomain linker region of a fungal cellulase to link together the variable domains of an anti-2-phenyloxazolone IgG1 and show here that the resulting single-chain antibody is efficiently secreted and released to the culture medium of Escherichia coli. The yield of affinity-purified single-chain antibody is 1-2 mg/l of culture medium and its affinity and stability are comparable to those of the corresponding native IgG.

Affinity-based collection of amplified viral DNA: application to the detection of human immunodeficiency virus type 1, human cytomegalovirus and human papillomavirus type 16.

We have devised a sensitive and convenient hybridization technique by combining the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with affinity-based hybrid collection. In this method 5'-biotinylated primers are used to introduce biotin residues into the DNA fragments during the amplification. The amplified DNA fragments are detected by liquid hybridization using a 32P- or 35S-labelled oligonucleotide as probe. For measurement the hybrids are collected on polystyrene microparticles or onto microtitre wells taking advantage of the biotinavidin interaction. The method is highly sensitive allowing the detection of 30 molecules of DNA. It involves few and simple operations, and is thus suitable for routine diagnostics. The applicability of the method to the detection of HIV-1 DNA from blood, HCMV DNA from urine and HPV-16 DNA from cervical scrapes was evaluated.

Molecular cloning of three structurally related genes for chicken avidin.

The chicken genomic library was screened using the 32P-labelled 3'-end of avidin cDNA as a hybridization probe. A positive clone, lambda gAV12201, containing a 15-16 kb insert, was detected. The EcoRI subclones, pgAV0.4, pgAV1.8, pgAV3.3 and pgAV3.7 from the genomic clone were subjected to hybridization and restriction enzyme mapping analysis. The preliminary results suggest the existence of three structurally related genes for chicken avidin. Whether the natural gene is within the subclones can only be established when sequencing analyses of the subclones have been completed.