The avidin-biotin complex in immunology

Biotin Homeostasis and Human Disorders: Recent Findings and Perspectives

Biotin (vitamin B7, or vitamin H) is a water-soluble B-vitamin that functions as a cofactor for carboxylases, i.e., enzymes involved in the cellular metabolism of fatty acids and amino acids and in gluconeogenesis; moreover, as reported, biotin may be involved in gene regulation. Biotin is not synthesized by human cells, but it is found in food and is also produced by intestinal bacteria. Biotin status/homeostasis in human individuals depends on several factors, including efficiency/deficiency of the enzymes involved in biotin recycling within the human organism (biotinidase, holocarboxylase synthetase), and/or effectiveness of intestinal uptake, which is mainly accomplished through the sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter. In the last years, administration of biotin at high/"pharmacological" doses has been proposed to treat specific defects/deficiencies and human disorders, exhibiting mainly neurological and/or dermatological symptoms and including biotinidase deficiency, holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency, and biotin-thiamine-responsive basal ganglia disease. On the other hand, according to warnings of the Food and Drug Administration, USA, high biotin levels can affect clinical biotin-(strept)avidin assays and thus lead to false results during quantification of critical biomarkers. In this review article, recent findings/advancements that may offer new insight in the abovementioned research fields concerning biotin will be presented and briefly discussed.

Coordinate-Dependent Drift-Diffusion Reveals the Kinetic Intermediate Traps of Top7-Based Proteins

The computer-designed Top7 served as a scaffold to produce immunoreactive proteins by grafting of the 2F5 HIV-1 antibody epitope (Top7-2F5) followed by biotinylation (Top7-2F5-biotin). The resulting nonimmunoglobulin affinity proteins were effective in inducing and detecting the HIV-1 antibody. However, the grafted Top7-2F5 design led to protein aggregation, as opposed to the soluble biotinylated Top7-2F5-biotin. The structure-based model predicted that the thermodynamic cooperativity of Top7 increases after grafting and biotin-labeling, reducing their intermediate state populations. In this work, the folding kinetic traps that might contribute to the aggregation propensity are investigated by the diffusion theory. Since the engineered proteins have similar sequence and structural homology, they served as protein models to study the kinetic intermediate traps that were uncovered by characterizing the position-dependent drift-velocity (v(Q)) and the diffusion (D(Q)) coefficients. These coordinate-dependent coefficients were taken into account to obtain the folding and transition path times over the free energy transition states containing the intermediate kinetic traps. This analysis may be useful to predict the aggregated kinetic traps of scaffold-epitope proteins that might compose novel diagnostic and therapeutic platforms.

"Willow Branch" DNA Self-Assembly for Cancer Dual-Target and Proliferation Inhibition

DNA nanotechnology is beginning to yield unique advantages in the area of drug delivery. For the dual-targeting and proliferation suppression of cancer cells, a "willow branch" DNA assembly based on rolling circle amplification (RCA) was built. Three single-stranded DNAs, including antibody modified cDNAs, aptamer cDNAs, and simple cDNAs, were employed in the DNA self-assembly, along with the RCA scaffolds (every 63 bases is a repeat unit). "Willow branch" DNA (WB DNA) assembly successfully linked multiple antibodies and aptamers together to achieve dual targeting of cancer cells. Binding of CD44 antibodies and S2.2 aptamers to receptors on the cell membrane inhibits both pathways, β-catenin signaling and nuclear factor-kappa B-specific transcription activity, through feedback regulation. Results demonstrated that WB DNA assembly could effectively exert multivalency clustering cell-surface receptors, modulating signal pathways and inhibiting proliferation. This study proposes a new approach for cancer dual-target and proliferation inhibition by clustering multivalent receptors.

Biotinylation of a MRI/Gd BNCT theranostic agent to access a novel tumour-targeted delivery system

A new biotin based BNCT (Boron Neutron Capture Therapy)-MRI theranostic is here reported (Gd-AL01) in order to exploit the high tumour specificity of biotin and the selectivity of BNCT in a synergistic manner. The key is the preparation of an intermediate where an o-carborane is linked to two amino groups orthogonally protected via the exploitation of two consecutive Mitsunobu reactions. The aim is its functionalisation in two different steps with biotin as the biological vector and Gd-DOTA as the MRI probe and GdNCT agent. Cell uptake was evaluated on HeLa tumour cells overexpressing biotin receptors. The internalised boron is proportional to the concentration of the theranostic agent incubated in the presence of cells. A maximum value of 77 ppm is reached and a well detectable signal intensity increase in the T₁ weighted image of HeLa cells was observed, differently from clinically used GdHPDO3A, where no contrast is detected. These excellent results indicate that Gd-AL01 can be applied as a theranostic probe in BNCT studies.

4-Thiouridine-Enhanced Peroxidase-Generated Biotinylation of RNA

Peroxidase-generated proximity labeling is in widespread use to study subcellular proteomes and the protein interaction networks in living cells, but the development of subcellular RNA labeling is limited. APEX-seq has emerged as a new method to study subcellular RNA in living cells, but the labeling of RNA still has room to improve. In this work, we describe 4-thiouridine (s⁴ U)-enhanced peroxidase-generated biotinylation of RNA with high efficiency. The incorporation of s⁴ U could introduce additional sites for RNA labeling, enhanced biotinylation was observed on monomer, model oligo RNA and total RNA. Through the s⁴ U metabolic approach, the in vivo RNA biotinylation efficiency by peroxidase catalysis was also dramatically increased, which will benefit RNA isolation and study for the spatial transcriptome.

The influence of biotinylation on the ability of a computer designed protein to detect B-cells producing anti-HIV-1 2F5 antibodies

Antibodies against the HIV-1 2F5 epitope are known as one of the most powerful and broadly protective anti-HIV antibodies. Therefore, vaccine strategies that include the 2F5 epitope in their formulation require a robust method to detect specific anti-2F5 antibody production by B cells. Towards this goal, we have biotinylated a previously reported computer-designed protein carrying the HIV-1 2F5 epitope aiming the further development of a platform to detect human B-cells expressing anti-2F5 antibodies through flow cytometry. Biophysical and immunological properties of our devised protein were characterized by computer simulation and experimental methods. Biotinylation did not affect folding and improved protein stability and solubility. The biotinylated protein exhibited similar binding affinity trends compared to its unbiotinylated counterpart and was recognized by anti-HIV-1 2F5 antibodies expressed on the surface of patient-derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Moreover, we present a high affinity marker for the identification of epitope-specific B cells that can be used to measure the efficacy of vaccine strategies based on the HIV-1 envelope protein.

The making and function of CAR cells

Genetically engineered T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) present a new treatment option for patients with cancer. Recent clinical trials of B cell leukemia have demonstrated a response rate of up to 90%. However, CAR cell therapy is frequently accompanied by severe side effects such as cytokine release syndrome and the development of target cell resistance. Consequently, further optimization of CARs to obtain greater long-term efficacy and increased safety is urgently needed. Here we high-light the various efforts of adjusting the intracellular signaling domains of CARs to these major requirements to eventually obtain high-level target cell cytotoxicity paralleled by the establishment of longevity of the CAR expressing cell types to guarantee for extended tumor surveillance over prolonged periods of time. We are convinced that it will be crucial to identify the molecular pathways and signaling requirements utilized by such ‘efficient CARs’ in order to provide a rational basis for their further hypothesis-based improvement. Furthermore, we here discuss timely attempts of how to: i) control ‘on-tumor off-target’ effects; ii) introduce Signal 3 (cytokine responsiveness of CAR cells) as an important building-block into the CAR concept; iii) most efficiently eliminate CAR cells once full remission has been obtained. We also argue that universal systems for the variable and pharmacokinetically-controlled attachment of extracellular ligand recognition domains of choice along with the establishment of ‘off-the-shelf’ cell preparations with suitability for all patients in need of a highly-potent cellular therapy may become future mainstays of CAR cell therapy. Such therapies would have the attraction to work independent of the patients’ histo-compatibility make-up and the availability of functionally intact patient’s cells. Finally, we summarize the evidence that CAR cells may obtain a prominent place in the treatment of non-malignant and auto-reactive T and B lymphocyte expansions in the near future, e.g., for the alleviation of autoimmune diseases and allergies. After the introduction of red blood cell transfusions, which were made possible by the landmark discoveries of the ABO blood groups by Karl Landsteiner, and the establishment of bone marrow transplantation by E. Donnall Thomas to exchange the entire hematopoietic system of a patient suffering from leukemia, the introduction of patient-tailored cytotoxic cellular populations to eradicate malignant cell populations in vivo pioneered by Carl H. June, represents the third major and broadly applicable milestone in the development of human cellular therapies within the rapidly developing field of applied biomedical research of the last one hundred years.

Detailed characterization of the solution kinetics and thermodynamics of biotin, biocytin and HABA binding to avidin and streptavidin

The high affinity (K_D ~ 10⁻¹⁵ M) of biotin for avidin and streptavidin is the essential component in a multitude of bioassays with many experiments using biotin modifications to invoke coupling. Equilibration times suggested for these assays assume that the association rate constant (k_on) is approximately diffusion limited (10⁹ M^-1s^-1) but recent single molecule and surface binding studies indicate that they are slower than expected (10⁵ to 10⁷ M^-1s^-1). In this study, we asked whether these reactions in solution are diffusion controlled, which reaction model and thermodynamic cycle describes the complex formation, and if there are any functional differences between avidin and streptavidin. We have studied the biotin association by two stopped-flow methodologies using labeled and unlabeled probes: I) fluorescent probes attached to biotin and biocytin; and II) unlabeled biotin and HABA, 2-(4’-hydroxyazobenzene)-benzoic acid. Both native avidin and streptavidin are homo-tetrameric and the association data show no cooperativity between the binding sites. The k_on values of streptavidin are faster than avidin but slower than expected for a diffusion limited reaction in both complexes. Moreover, the Arrhenius plots of the k_on values revealed strong temperature dependence with large activation energies (6–15 kcal/mol) that do not correspond to a diffusion limited process (3–4 kcal/mol). Accordingly, we propose a simple reaction model with a single transition state for non-immobilized reactants whose forward thermodynamic parameters complete the thermodynamic cycle, in agreement with previously reported studies. Our new understanding and description of the kinetics, thermodynamics, and spectroscopic parameters for these complexes will help to improve purification efficiencies, molecule detection, and drug screening assays or find new applications.

Avidin Adsorption to Silk Fibroin Films as a Facile Method for Functionalization

Silk fibroin biomaterials are highly versatile in terms of materials formation and functionalization, with applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery, but necessitate modifications for optimized biological activity. Herein, a facile, avidin-based technique is developed to noncovalently functionalize silk materials with bioactive molecules. The ability to adsorb avidin to silk surfaces and subsequently couple biotinylated macromolecules via avidin-biotin interaction is described. This method better preserved functionality than standard covalent coupling techniques using carbodiimide cross-linking chemistry. The controlled release of avidin from the silk surface was demonstrated by altering the adsorption parameters. Application of this technique to culturing human foreskin fibroblasts (hFFs) and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) on arginine-glycine-aspartic-acid-modified (RGD-modified) silk showed increased cell growth over a seven-day period. This technique provides a facile method for the versatile functionalization of silk materials for biomedical applications including tissue engineering, drug delivery, and biological sensing.

Covalent and non-covalent chemical engineering of actin for biotechnological applications

The cytoskeletal filaments are self-assembled protein polymers with 8-25nm diameters and up to several tens of micrometres length. They have a range of pivotal roles in eukaryotic cells, including transportation of intracellular cargoes (primarily microtubules with dynein and kinesin motors) and cell motility (primarily actin and myosin) where muscle contraction is one example. For two decades, the cytoskeletal filaments and their associated motor systems have been explored for nanotechnological applications including miniaturized sensor systems and lab-on-a-chip devices. Several developments have also revolved around possible exploitation of the filaments alone without their motor partners. Efforts to use the cytoskeletal filaments for applications often require chemical or genetic engineering of the filaments such as specific conjugation with fluorophores, antibodies, oligonucleotides or various macromolecular complexes e.g. nanoparticles. Similar conjugation methods are also instrumental for a range of fundamental biophysical studies. Here we review methods for non-covalent and covalent chemical modifications of actin filaments with focus on critical advantages and challenges of different methods as well as critical steps in the conjugation procedures. We also review potential uses of the engineered actin filaments in nanotechnological applications and in some key fundamental studies of actin and myosin function. Finally, we consider possible future lines of investigation that may be addressed by applying chemical conjugation of actin in new ways.

Development and application of a fluorescence protein microarray for detecting serum alpha-fetoprotein in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective

To develop a simple, effective, time-saving and low-cost fluorescence protein microarray method for detecting serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Method

Non-contact piezoelectric print techniques were applied to fluorescence protein microarray to reduce the cost of prey antibody. Serum samples from patients with HCC and healthy control subjects were collected and evaluated for the presence of AFP using a novel fluorescence protein microarray. To validate the fluorescence protein microarray, serum samples were tested for AFP using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

A total of 110 serum samples from patients with HCC (n = 65) and healthy control subjects (n = 45) were analysed. When the AFP cut-off value was set at 20 ng/ml, the fluorescence protein microarray had a sensitivity of 91.67% and a specificity of 93.24% for detecting serum AFP. Serum AFP quantified via fluorescence protein microarray had a similar diagnostic performance compared with ELISA in distinguishing patients with HCC from healthy control subjects (area under receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.906 for fluorescence protein microarray; 0.880 for ELISA).

Conclusion

A fluorescence protein microarray method was developed for detecting serum AFP in patients with HCC.

Effect of avidin-like proteins and biotin modification on mesenchymal stem cell adhesion

The avidin-biotin system is a highly specific reaction that has been used in a wide range of biomedical applications, including surface modification and cell patterning. We systematically examined a number of avidin derivatives as the basis for a simple and cost effective tissue culture polystyrene substrate surface modification for human stem cell culture. Non-specific adhesion between human mesenchymal stem cells and various avidin derivatives, media conditions, and subsequent biotinylation reactions was quantified. We observed significant non-specific cell adhesion to avidin and strepthavidin, indicating that previous observations using this system may be artifactual. Seeding of cells in serum free media, blocking with bovine serum albumin, and the use of the avidin derivative neutravidin were all necessary for elimination of background adhesion. Neutravidin conjugated with biotinylated bsp-RGD(15) peptide provided the most robust cell adhesion, as well as the greatest increase in cell adhesion over background levels.

Site specific conjugation of fluoroprobes to the remodeled Fc N-glycans of monoclonal antibodies using mutant glycosyltransferases: application for cell surface antigen detection

The Fc N-glycan chains of four therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), namely, Avastin, Rituxan, Remicade, and Herceptin, released by PNGase F, show by MALDI analysis that these biantennary N-glycans are a mixture of G0, G1, and G2 glycoforms. The G0 glycoform has no galactose on the terminal GlcNAc residues, and the G1 and G2 glycoforms have one or two terminal galactose residues, respectively, while no N-glycan with terminal sialic acid residue is observed. We show here that under native conditions we can convert the N-glycans of these mAbs to a homogeneous population of G0 glycoform using beta1,4 galactosidase from Streptococcus pneumoniae. The G0 glycoforms of mAbs can be galactosylated with a modified galactose having a chemical handle at the C2 position, such as ketone or azide, using a mutant beta1,4-galactosyltransferase (beta1,4Gal-T1-Y289L). The addition of the modified galactose at a specific glycan residue of a mAb permits the coupling of a biomolecule that carries an orthogonal reactive group. The linking of a biotinylated or a fluorescent dye carrying derivatives selectively occurs with the modified galactose, C2-keto-Gal, at the heavy chain of these mAbs, without altering their antigen binding activities, as shown by indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) methods. Our results demonstrate that the linking of cargo molecules to mAbs via glycans could prove to be an invaluable tool for potential drug targeting by immunotherapeutic methods.

IART: intraoperative avidination for radionuclide treatment. A new way of partial breast irradiation

A new procedure, known as Intraoperative Avidination for Radionuclide Therapy (IART), is described in breast cancer patients. In this paper, we provide proof of the principle that intraoperative injection of avidin in the tumour bed after quadrantectomy allows homing in of intravenously (IV) administered radioactive biotin to the target site. This approach of targeted therapy consists of two steps: (i) "avidination" of the anatomical area of the tumour with avidin injected by the surgeon, into and around the tumour bed; (ii) targeting the anatomical area of the tumour by IV injection of radiolabelled biotin. The scintigraphic images demonstrated fast and stable uptake of labelled biotin at the site of operated breast. The radiation dose released to the index quadrant was more than 5 Gy/GBq, consistent with a boost of 20 Gy for an activity of 3.7 GBq 90Y-biotin (100mCi). A further large clinical trial facing IART in combination with reduced external-beam radiotherapy is, in our opinion, fully justified.

The preparation of avidin microspheres using the sonochemical method and the interaction of the microspheres with biotin

Avidin microspheres were prepared using the sonochemical method. It was found that avidin microspheres can bind biotin, but to a lesser degree than the native protein. The binding of the biotin molecules to the avidin microspheres was probed primarily by TPD measurements.

Advances in pretargeting biotechnology

A major focus of current drug research is to improve drug targeting to internal target sites such as to solid tumors or specific organs. The objective of drug targeting, especially for cancer chemotherapy and radioimmunotherapy, is to enhance the effectiveness of the drug by concentrating it at the target site and minimizing its effects in nontarget sites. Although tumor targeting has been obtained with large long-circulating radiolabeled antibody molecules, normal organ activity, especially in the blood kidneys, liver, and bone marrow is a significant problem. Over the last 20 years, studies to improve the therapeutic use of antibodies have included the use of antibody fragments, chase molecules, metabolizable linkers, antibody-directed enzyme prodrugs (ADEPT), local delivery, and pretargeting. Here, we will review the most interesting recent advances in pretargeting biotechnology.

Biochips beyond DNA: technologies and applications

Technological advances in miniaturization have found a niche in biology and signal the beginning of a new revolution. Most of the attention and advances have been made with DNA chips yet a lot of progress is being made in the use of other biomolecules and cells. A variety of reviews have covered only different aspects and technologies but leading to the shared terminology of "biochips." This review provides a basic introduction and an in-depth survey of the different technologies and applications involving the use of non-DNA molecules such as proteins and cells. The review focuses on microarrays and microfluidics, but also describes some cellular systems (studies involving patterning and sensor chips) and nanotechnology. The principles of each technology including parameters involved in biochip design and operation are outlined. A discussion of the different biological and biomedical applications illustrates the significance of biochips in biotechnology.

Bio-barcodes based on oligonucleotide-modified nanoparticles

By utilizing oligonucleotide-modified Au nanoparticles encoded with sequences that act as biobarcodes, one can screen for multiple target polyvalent proteins simultaneously in one solution. This novel concept was demonstrated with two types of detection formats, a homogeneous assay and one based on oligonucleotide microarrays. With such an approach, one can prepare an extraordinarily large number of barcodes from synthetically accessible oligonucleotides (e.g., a 12-mer sequence offers 4(12) possible barcodes).

Levels of nonphosphorylated and phosphorylated tau in cerebrospinal fluid of Alzheimer's disease patients : an ultrasensitive bienzyme-substrate-recycle enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

We have developed an ultrasensitive bienzyme-substrate-recycle enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the measurement of Alzheimer's disease (AD) abnormally hyperphosphorylated tau in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The assay, which recognizes attomolar amounts of tau, is approximately 400 and approximately 1300 times more sensitive than conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in determining the hyperphosphorylated tau and total tau, respectively. With this method, we measured both total tau and tau phosphorylated at Ser-396/Ser-404 in lumbar CSFs from AD and control patients. We found that the total tau was 215 +/- 77 pg/ml in cognitively normal control (n = 56), 234 +/- 92 pg/ml in non-AD neurological (n = 37), 304 +/- 126 pg/ml in vascular dementia (n = 46), and 486 +/- 168 pg/ml (n = 52) in AD patients, respectively. However, a remarkably elevated level in phosphorylated tau was only found in AD (187 +/- 84 pg/ml), as compared with normal controls (54 +/- 33 pg/ml), non-AD (63 +/- 34 pg/ml), and vascular dementia (72 +/- 33 pg/ml) groups. If we used the ratio of hyperphosphorylated tau to total tau of > or =0.33 as cutoff for AD diagnosis, we could confirm the diagnosis in 96% of the clinically diagnosed patients with a specificity of 95%, 86%, 100%, and 94% against nonneurological, non-AD neurological, vascular dementia, and all of the three control groups combined, respectively. It is suggested that the CSF level of tau phosphorylated at Ser-396/Ser-404 is a promising diagnostic marker of AD.

Pretargeted adjuvant radioimmunotherapy with yttrium-90-biotin in malignant glioma patients: a pilot study

In a previous study we applied a three-step avidin-biotin pretargeting approach to target 90Y-biotin to the tumour in patients with recurrent high grade glioma. The encouraging results obtained in this phase I-II study prompted us to apply the same approach in an adjuvant setting, to evaluate (i) time to relapse and (ii) overall survival. We enrolled 37 high grade glioma patients, 17 with grade III glioma and 20 with glioblastoma, in a controlled open non-randomized study. All patients received surgery and radiotherapy and were disease-free by neuroradiological examinations. Nineteen patients (treated) received adjuvant treatment with radioimmunotherapy. In the treated glioblastoma patients, median disease-free interval was 28 months (range=9-59); median survival was 33.5 months and one patient is still without evidence of disease. All 12 control glioblastoma patients died after a median survival from diagnosis of 8 months. In the treated grade III glioma patients median disease-free interval was 56 months (range=15-60) and survival cannot be calculated as only two, within this group, died. Three-step radioimmunotherapy promises to have an important role as adjuvant treatment in high grade gliomas, particularly in glioblastoma where it impedes progression, prolonging time to relapse and overall survival. A further randomized trial is justified.

An investigation into the suitability of silica beads for cell separations based on density perturbation

This study has investigated possible alternative types of beads for fractionating cells on the basis of density perturbation. It is well known that uniform magnetic beads can be extremely important tools for separating cells by both magnetic separation techniques and density perturbation. However, because of the inherent expense associated with the use of magnetic beads, it was decided to study the possible use of inexpensive silica beads for density perturbation in terms of their attachment and modification of density of cells and to compare them with uniform Dynabeads. Silica beads were analyzed to determine their size and effect on the density of cells. Differentiated HL60 cells were used as a model system. As differentiation occurs, different levels of antigens are expressed on the cell surface and this results in different numbers of beads binding to cells. DMSO-differentiated HL60 cells were mixed with anti-CD11b-coated beads at a ratio of 20:1 (beads/cell), and gentle mixing was carried out at 20 degrees C on the end-over-end mixer. The binding of antibody-coated silica beads and Dynabeads to partially differentiated HL60 cells were compared. The conclusions reached on the basis of these experiments are that antibody-coated silica beads (Ab-coated silica) can be used as alternative beads for some cell fractionations. However, compared with Dynabeads, there are more beads that are only transiently associated with cells, possibly indicating that higher levels of detachment of beads from cells occur when silica beads are used. In addition, silica beads are usually heterogeneous in size and this would make it difficult to use these beads for the isolation of purified subpopulations of differentiated cells.

Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of IgM antibodies to Babesia bigemina in cattle

A crude antigenic preparation of Babesia bigemina was used to develop an ELISA for the detection of IgM antibodies. Optimal dilutions of the antigen, using positive and negative reference sera, were determined by checkerboard titrations. Negative sera from cattle imported from tick-free areas, serum samples collected from infected B. bigemina cattle were used to validate the test. The specificity was 94% and sensitivity of the Elisa 87.5%. Sera from 385 cattle deriving from areas free from tick-borne diseases, which were submitted to a preimmunization process, were screened by this technique. The Elisa detected seroconversion on the 14th day post-inoculation in animals either infested with Boophilus microplus ticks (infected with B. bigemina), or inoculated with B. bigemina infected blood. Antibody titers decreased after day 33; however, all animals remained positive until the end of the experiment (124 days). The ELISA described may prove to be an appropriate serological test for the detection of IgM antibodies against B. bigemina.

Fractionation of differentiating cells using density perturbation

This paper describes the development of a new method for the fractionation of purified subpopulations of partially differentiated cells on continuous isopycnic gradients, using a density perturbation method based on the ability of cells to bind dense antibody-coated beads. Until now none of the available fractionation techniques, such as magnetic cell fractionation has been efficient for separating subpopulations of partially differentiated cells. The fractionation experiments described in this report used promyelocytic HL-60 and DMSO-induced granulocytic HL-60 cells as a model system. Populations of cells, modified by the binding of dense beads were fractionated on isotonic, isopycnic Optiprep gradients by centrifugation at 220xg for 90 min at 20 degrees C. Examination of the different gradient fractions showed that, as cells bind increasing numbers of beads, they are found in the denser regions of the isopycnic gradients. Indirect immunofluorescence was combined with flow cytometric techniques to characterise the fractionation of partially differentiated cells. Flow cytometric results confirmed that as antigenic determinants appear on the surface at higher levels of expression, the number of beads binding to each cell increased. Furthermore, after fractionation, when the bead-bound and non-bead-bound cells were cultured in the presence of DMSO, those cells that had bound more beads targeted to differentiated cells were found to achieve terminal differentiation faster than those cells that had not been associated with any beads.

Amplification of cytokine-specific ELISAs increases the sensitivity of detection to 5-20 picograms per milliliter

The ability to detect a protein is always limited to the sensitivity of the assays available. Progress in improving the sensitivity of protein detection will allow a more complete understanding of biological systems. Of particular interest to the field of immunology is the ability to characterize an immune response based upon the pattern of cytokines that are released in response to antigen. A Th1 response is characterized by the presence of IL-2, IL-12, TNF and IFN-gamma, whereas a Th2 response is characterized by IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10. Often, these cytokines are present in in vitro-derived culture supernatants at extremely low concentrations and are therefore very difficult to detect. Although a number of improvements have been made to the sensitivity of the relevant detection assays, the most successful assays involve the presence of the cells being cultured thereby limiting the number of tests per culture to one. Here we describe an enhanced ELISA protocol where the sensitivity is equivalent or better than corresponding cell-based assays. This protocol will permit the sensitive measurement of multiple cytokines per single culture supernatant.

Detection of IgM antibodies against Babesia bovis in cattle

The diagnosis of acute babesiosis by direct examination of blood smears has some limitations and the indirect serological methods currently in use are designed for detection of IgG, which may not be detectable at an early stage of infection. There is a need, therefore, for rapid and reliable procedures to diagnose acute infections. An ELISA system using a crude antigenic preparation of Babesia bovis was standardized for the detection of IgM antibodies. Optimal dilutions of the antigen, using positive and negative reference sera, were determined by checkerboard titrations. Serum samples of cattle imported from tick-free areas collected before and during an immunization process were used to validate the tests. The specificity was 94% and sensitivity 100%. Specific IgM antibodies against B. bovis first appeared on the 11th day post-inoculation (p.i.) in animals infested with Boophilus microplus ticks and on the 19th day p.i. in animals which had been inoculated with infected blood. Antibody titers decreased after Day 33; however, all animals remained positive until the end of the experiment (124 days).

Surface plasmon resonance: a study of the effect of biotinylation on the selection of antibodies for use in immunoassays

Surface plasmon resonance is a valuable optical phenomenon for monitoring biomolecular interactions in real time. In this project anti-mouse-Fc was coupled to the carboxymethyl dextran coating on the surface of a CM5 sensor chip (BIAcore) using amine coupling. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to Luteinizing Hormone (LH) were then captured on this surface in the correct orientation for binding. LH (500 IU/l) was injected over the surface and the subsequent binding and dissociation events were monitored. The resulting optical response curves allowed fast analysis of the binding interactions of eight selected MAbs. It was possible to develop a two-site immunometric assay for LH using a pair of these MAbs. The effect of biotinylating the MAbs, using various biotin:antibody coupling ratios, on their subsequent binding to both LH and avidin conjugated alkaline phosphatase was also investigated. This approach has allowed rapid evaluation of the effect of changes in both reagent and reaction conditions on immunoassay performance and appears to be a valuable adjunct to immunosensor and immunoassay development.

Covalent photolinker-mediated immobilization of an intermediate dextran layer to polymer-coated surfaces for biosensing applications

A new method is presented for the covalent binding of dextran as an intermediate layer on surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices. For biosensing applications in aqueous media commercially available SAW devices require surface passivation to prevent corrosion of the aluminum device structures in electrolytes. Thin films of polyimide and parylene revealed exceptional passivation properties. They were used as a base for dextran immobilization. Covalent binding of dextran to polymer-coated surfaces was achieved by photoimmobilization. Aryldiazirine-functionalized bovine serum albumin served as the multifunctional light-activable linking agent (photolinker polymer). Dextran and photolinker polymer were mixed and photobonded to sensor surfaces. Essential photoimmobilization parameters were optimized. The binding of proteins to dextran applying carbodiimide chemistries was exemplified with antiurease antibodies and the feasibility of specific immunosensing was investigated on SAW sensors connected to a fluid handling system.

Solid-phase synthesis and on-resin cyclization of a disulfide bond peptide and lactam analogues corresponding to the major antigenic site of HIV gp41 protein

A cyclic peptide that spans the major antigenic determinant of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) glycoprotein 41 (gp41) has been synthesized according to various strategies. For immunodiagnostic applications, biotin was added at the N-terminus of the peptide and aminohexanoic acid was used as a spacer. Polymer-supported oxidations were carried out in a variety of ways with thallium (III) trifluoroacetate. The biotinylcyclic peptide was released from the support using trimethylsilyl trifluoromethane sulfonate and various scavengers. The efficacy of these different cyclization and cleavage procedures was compared. Side reactions were studied, and a simple and efficient procedure was set up to monitor peptide cyclization by mass spectrometry. In a second series of syntheses the disulfide bridge was replaced by an amide bond. For this purpose, an aspartic acid derivative and a diaminopropionic acid were introduced during the synthesis in place of the two cysteine residues in the parent sequence. On-resin cyclization was performed and led to a major side-product identified as a piperidide. This undesired base-mediated side reaction was prevented when, instead of piperidine, 1,8-diazabicyclo-[5.4.0]undec-7-ene was used for fluorenylmethyl ester deprotection. Reactivity of these peptides with different patients' sera and with a monoclonal antibody directed against the whole gp41 was tested using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Peroxidase-labelling of human serum transferrin by conjugation to oligosaccharide moieties

The generation of reactive aldehydes on the carbohydrate moieties of the human serum transferrin was performed by a derivatization procedure based on the mild oxidation with sodium periodate and subsequent reaction with peroxidase hydrazide. The synthesized conjugate was compared to that obtained by modification of the amino acid side chains of transferrin. The conjugate reaction mixture assayed by SDS-PAGE consisted, besides unreacted compounds, of three main bands, corresponding to a molar ratio transferrin:peroxidase of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3. After blotting, these bands were identified by either anti-peroxidase and anti-transferrin antibodies on nitrocellulose membrane. ELISA detection method showed that the conjugate via oligosaccharide moieties (glycans) was still recognized not only by the anti-transferrin antibodies but also by the specific cellular receptor, while the conjugate via amino acids failed to display this latter ability. The different behaviour can be probably due to a significant damage of the protein structure or, possibly, to the peroxidase binding at sites recognized by the receptor. The results reported here indicate that the conjugation procedure through glycans leads to stable and selected transferrin-conjugates fully exhibiting their biological activity.

Synthesis and mass spectrometric characterization of digoxigenin and biotin labeled ganglioside GM1 and their uptake by and metabolism in cultured cells

Selective acylation of mono-deacetyl lyso-GM1, i.e. beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->3)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-galactopyr ano syl -(1-->4)-(alpha-D-neuraminyl-(2-->3))-beta-D-galactopyranosyl- (1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->1)-(2S,3R,4E)-2-amino-4-octa decen-1,3-diol, with N-succinimidyl-[1-14C]stearate afforded labeled mono-deacetyl GM1, i.e. beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->3)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-galactopyr ano syl- (1-->4)-(alpha-D-neuraminyl-(2-->3)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta -D- glucopyranosyl-(1-->1)-(2S,3R,4E)-2-[1-14C]octadecanamido-4- octadecen-1, 3-diol, in good yield. Its condensation with either N-succinimidyl-digoxigenyl-3-O-methyl carbonyl-epsilon-amino caproate or N-succinimidyl-D-biotinyl-epsilon-aminocaproate led to radioactive GM1 derivatives carrying a tag for immuno-electron microscopy at the sialic acid residue. These GM1 derivatives could be hydrolyzed to the corresponding GM3 derivatives by treatment with GM1-beta-galactosidase and beta-hexosaminidases. There was no further degradation by sialidases due to the bulky tag in the sialic acid residue. The uptake of biotin labeled GM1 by human skin fibroblasts, rat neuroblastoma cells B104 and human neuroblastoma cells SHSY5Y was 0.85, 0.58 and 1.62 nmol lipid/mg cellular protein, respectively, after an incubation for 66 h at 37 degrees C and was similar to that of untagged GM1. The uptake of digoxigenin labeled GM1 by these cell types was, however, significantly higher (3.1, 6.8, and 20.0 nmol lipid/mg cellular protein, respectively). Both the biotin and digoxigenin labeled GM1 analogs were catabolized to the corresponding GM2 and GM3 derivatives in lysosomes of cultured cells. This demonstrates that these synthetic analogues are suitable for studying, by immuno-electron microscopy, their endocytosis and distribution in intralysosomal membranes.

Enhanced delivery of synthetic oligonucleotides to human leukaemic cells by liposomes and immunoliposomes

The ability of pH-sensitive liposomes and immunoliposomes to deliver synthetic antisense oligonucleotides (oligos) into human myeloid and lymphoid leukaemia cells was examined. The cellular uptake of an 18mer anti-myb oligonucleotide encapsulated in liposomes was from three- to five-fold higher than that of 32P-oligos alone. In addition, anti-CD32 or anti-CD2 immunoliposomes improved the delivery of oligos to leukaemic cells carrying the appropriate receptor for the specific antibody-linked immunoliposome. The uptake of oligos was twice that of the liposome or non-specific immunoliposome encapsulated oligos. These findings support the use of liposomes or immunoliposomes to deliver antisense oligos into human leukaemic cells.

Polyethylene glycol-modified avidin: a novel agent for the selective extraction of biotinylated immune-complex in an aqueous two-phase system

Chicken avidin was chemically modified with 2,4-bis[O-methoxypoly(ethylene glycol)]-6-chloro-s-triazine (activated PEG2) to form PEG-avidin. The PEG-avidin, in which 78% of the amino groups were modified, retained 49% of the active biotin-binding sites. The modified avidin was partitioned preferentially into the PEG-phase in an aqueous two-phase system (PEG/dextran). Using PEG-avidin, the immune-complex formed between biotinylated anti-mouse IgG and its antigen IgG (mouse) molecules, was successfully transferred into the PEG-phase in an aqueous two-phase system. This finding leads to the effective isolation of a specific antigen among various kinds of antigens by partitioning with a two-phase system using PEG-avidin.

Separation of T and B lymphocytes from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells using density perturbation methods

The fractionation of sub-populations of peripheral blood mononuclear cells has become an essential routine procedure and some of the main fractionation methods used today are immunomagnetic separations. We describe a less expensive method for the separation of subpopulations of mononuclear cells using density perturbation, which uses the binding of antibody-coated dense polystyrene beads to increase the density of specific sub-populations of cells. By incubating a total mononuclear fraction from human peripheral blood together with antibody-coated beads, in a commercially-available lymphocyte separation medium (Nycoprep 1.077), a depletion of 94.9 +/- 1.68% of the T cells could be obtained by this procedure; a depletion of 69.7 +/- 1.78% of the B cells was also achieved. These results indicate the potential for the separation of different sub-populations of peripheral blood mononuclear cells on the basis of the immunological identity of the surface of cells using density perturbation methods involving antibody-coated dense polystyrene beads.

Optimization of conditions for specific binding of antibody-coated beads to cells

It has previously been demonstrated that cells can bind antibody-coated beads; this effect can be used to enhance the fractionation of cells using magnetic fields or by centrifugation on isopycnic, isotonic density gradients. As a general rule, the higher the expression of surface antigens the more beads bind to cells. However, we have also noted that other factors also affect the number of beads found bound to cells. Experiments have been carried out to determine what factors affect binding of antibody-coated beads to cells. The optimum conditions for binding of antibody-coated beads to MOLT-4 T cells were found to be, namely, a 20:1 bead to cell ratio in a 1 ml incubation volume, with continuous end-over-end mixing for 1 h at 25 degrees C. Furthermore, the optimum centrifugation conditions at which the samples were separated on isopycnic, isotonic density gradients were determined as 220 x gmax for 90 min, at 20 degrees C. The results indicate the preferred conditions that are necessary to achieve optimum bead binding by cells and their subsequent fractionation. Different antibody-coated beads were examined including Dynabeads M-450, used as a known standard. In addition we describe, as a possible alternative to Dynabeads, dense polystyrene beads, for the separation of cells on the basis of the immunological identity of the surface of cells using density perturbation methods.

Renal accumulation of streptavidin: potential use for targeted therapy to the kidney

Streptavidin exhibits a remarkable accumulation in the kidney. Biodistribution studies with radio-iodinated streptavidin showed that 70 to 80% of the injected dose per gram tissue (%/g) were retained in kidneys of Balb/C mice for three to four days compared to less than 5%/g levels in other tissues. This observation means that 15 to 20% of the injected dose is accumulated in the kidney, an organ that constitutes less than 1% of total body weight. Similar results of percent radioactivity per total kidney were obtained in other mouse strains as well as in rats and rabbits. Avidin, or the post-secretory form of streptavidin which is of a higher molecular weight, do not show any preferential affinity to the kidney. The kidney-accumulated streptavidin was mostly confined to the cortex, concentrated in the proximal tubular cells. Accumulation of streptavidin in the kidney was independent of biotin, since addition of biotin to radio-iodinated streptavidin prior to injection did not affect its kidney uptake. Therefore, streptavidin, which aquires its kidney accumulation property following truncation of the native form, may be utilized for renal specific delivery of chemotherapeutic agents, radioactive isotopes and other effector molecules. Such ligands can be linked to streptavidin via conventional coupling methods or following their biotinylation. Preliminary experiments showed that streptavidin can target to the kidney biotinylated ligands or high doses of chemically linked radionuclides.

Immunohistochemical detection of p53 and Bcl-2 proteins in Hashimoto's thyroiditis and primary thyroid lymphomas

AIMS

To investigate whether immunohistochemical staining using p53 and/or bcl-2 distinguishes between florid Hashimoto's thyroiditis and low grade mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma of the thyroid.

METHODS

Ten cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and eight of primary thyroid lymphoma were stained with monoclonal antibodies directed against p53 and bcl-2.

RESULTS

In Hashimoto's thyroiditis most small lymphoid cells in mantle zones, within the thyroid parenchyma and in lymphoepithelial lesions expressed bcl-2 protein. Very occasional centroblasts in reactive germinal centres were positive for p53, but all other lymphoid cells from cases of Hashimoto's disease were negative for p53. In diffuse, low grade lymphomas bcl-2 protein was uniformly expressed by most tumour cells. However, low grade lymphomas with a follicular pattern did not express bcl-2. The diffuse, low grade lymphomas were negative for p53, while occasional larger cells in the follicular subtype were positive. Both high grade lymphomas were bcl-2 negative but strongly p53 positive.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that there is an inverse correlation between p53 and bcl-2 immunostaining in thyroid lymphomas (low grade lymphomas: bcl-2 positive, p53 negative; high grade lymphomas: bcl-2 negative, p53 positive). Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining for bcl-2 and p53 proteins does not distinguish florid Hashimoto's thyroiditis from diffuse, low grade thyroid lymphoma.

Heterogeneity of bcl-2 expression in MALT lymphoma

Bcl-2 protein expression was studied in a series of 58 MALT lymphomas using a monoclonal antibody which recognises this protein in routinely processed paraffin embedded tissue. Thirty-three of 58 cases showed heterogeneity for bcl-2 expression, 18 of 58 cases were bcl-2 positive and 7 of 58 were bcl-2 negative. High grade and low grade MALT lymphomas showed different patterns of staining. All 21 low grade tumours were positive for bcl-2, though in seven cases only a proportion of the neoplastic cells expressed this protein. In the 37 high grade tumours the majority of the neoplastic cells were negative with seven cases showing no reactivity at all. These findings give further support to the theory that MALT lymphomas differ in pathogenesis to nodal lymphomas and suggest that the good prognosis of MALT lymphomas may partly be explained by the fact that they maintain a normal pattern of bcl-2 expression.

Determination of biotin concentration by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method

A method based on competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the measurement of biotin concentrations which takes advantage of the extraordinarily high affinity between biotin and avidin. The biotin assay consisted of two steps, (i) a competition reaction between excess streptavidin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase (streptavidin-HRP) and solutions of known biotin concentrations or sample solutions and (ii) the measurement of the residual activities of the free form streptavidin-HRP which were correlated with the initial biotin concentrations. The procedure was modified by including an extra step of antibody-antigen interaction to assay biotin concentration unambiguously in more complex media. The entire assay was completed within 6 with sensitivities of approximately 1 pg/ml for biotin in a simple aqueous medium and 5 pg/ml in complex media. The method offers significant advantages in time, sensitivity and simplicity for determinations of biotin concentrations in various solutions.