Rapid dual-column chromatographic assay for recombinant leukocyte interferon alpha-2

Coupling immunoassays with chromatographic separation techniques

Coupling immunoassays with HPLC separation techniques is becoming increasingly useful in the analysis of biological and nonbiological samples of both large and small molecules. This is because it provides both sensitivity and selectivity for molecular analysis at relatively low cost, low maintenance and with excellent potential for automation. This paper reviews application of this hyphenated approach both in the pre-column immunoextraction and post-column immunodetection modes. Systems in which immunoassays are interfaced to chromatographic separations in order to separate bound and free fractions of the immunoassay will not be included since these systems do not provide the enhanced selectivity common to hyphenated systems. Post-column immunodetection is based on various immunoassay formats such as direct detection, one-site, competitive and sandwich immunoassays. Homogeneous immunodetectors are more convenient than heterogeneous immunodectors since there are no separation and column regeneration steps involved in homogeneous immunoassays. On the other hand, heterogeneous immunoassays are generally more sensitive than homogeneous immunoassays since interfering substances are removed prior to immunodetection. Advantages and limitations for the various approaches will be discussed.

Survey of recent advances in analytical applications of immunoaffinity chromatography

Methods that use immunoaffinity chromatography (IAC) for sample preparation or detection are becoming increasingly popular as tools in the analysis of biological and nonbiological compounds. This paper presents an overview of immunoaffinity chromatography and examines some recent developments of this technique in analytical applications. The emphasis is placed on HPLC-based IAC methods or those that combine IAC with other instrumental techniques; however, novel approaches that employ low-performance IAC columns for chemical quantitation are also considered. Particular applications that are examined include (1) the use of IAC in the direct detection of analytes, (2) the extraction of samples by IAC prior to on- or off-line detection by other methods, (3) the use of IAC in chromatographic-based immunoassays, and (4) the development of postcolumn reactors based on IAC for the detection of analytes as they elute from other types of chromatographic columns. The advantages and limitations for each approach are considered. In addition, a summary is provided of reports in the literature that have used IAC for these various formats.

Immobilized Fe3+ affinity chromatographic isolation of phosphopeptides

Immobilized Fe3+ affinity chromatography is suggested as a means of concentrating phosphopeptides that are present in too low a proportion in a complex mixture to be purified by a single-step method. A high-performance liquid chromatographic system and a chelating Superose HR 10/2 column were used. The chromatographic conditions were optimized using a tryptic hydrolysate of whole casein. The unbound fractions did not contain any phosphorylated peptide. All caseinophosphopeptides were retained. Only four other strongly basic peptides were also retained. The quantitative accuracy of the method was evaluated. This method allowed the isolation of phosphopeptides in gastric effluents of calves fed with milk.

Tandem immunoaffinity and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography for the identification of the specific binding sites of a hapten on a proteic carrier

Immunoaffinity (IA) and reversed-phase (RP) high-performance liquid chromatography were combined for the identification of the specific binding sites of benzylpenicilloyl (BPO) groups on human serum albumin (HSA). Tryptic hydrolysates of BPO-HSA were loaded on the IA column. BPO-peptides were desorbed and concentrated directly on the RP column, coupled via a switching valve, then separated by using gradient elution and identified by the amino acid sequences. This single-step procedure permitted more than 95% recovery of the BPO-peptides present in minute amounts, with good specificity.

Identification of the binding sites of benzyl penicilloyl, the allergenic metabolite of penicillin, on the serum albumin molecule

Tryptic digests of fragment A299-585 of penicilloylated serum albumin obtained from two penicillin-treated patients or prepared by in vitro conjugation, were analyzed by a tandem immunoaffinity reversed-phase HLPC. Determinations of benzyl penicilloyl groups (BPO) were performed on the different fractions. Three BPO containing peptides were identified by their amino acid sequence and the bound BPO were located on lysines 432, 541 and 545. Six major BPO binding sites were thus identified on the whole albumin molecule. All of them are lysine residues and correspond to a limited number of definite structures in which lysine and serine residues appear to be closely associated.

Immunological-chromatographic analysis of lysozyme variants

Immunological-chromatographic analysis (ICA) was used to evaluate the cross-reactivities of eight lysozyme variants with five different immobilized monoclonal anti-hen-egg-white lysozyme antibodies. ICA is a dual-column high-performance liquid chromatography-based method in which an immunoaffinity and a conventional analytical column are coupled with a switching valve. Antigens are first captured on the affinity column and then desorbed and concentrated on the second column, where they are separated further. This arrangement permits antigen-antibody interactions occurring on the affinity column to be monitored on-line with the second column. The ICA system was used to perform direct and competitive inhibition binding immunoassays with unlabeled antigens. Seven of the eight lysozymes tested bound to all five immobilized monoclonal antibodies. Competitive inhibition of binding of hen egg white lysozyme to the monoclonal antibody, HyHel-5, was measured by using the variants Japanese quail and bobwhite quail lysozymes as inhibitors. The ratio of the amount of bobwhite quail to Japanese quail lysozyme required to give 50% inhibition of binding of hen egg white determined by ICA compares well with the results obtained by other investigators who used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay plate binding assay.

Immunological-chromatographic analysis

Tandem immunoaffinity and conventional high-performance liquid chromatography columns, coupled with a switching valve, were used for the analysis of single and multicomponent antigen samples. Immunoaffinity columns were prepared by hydrophobic adsorption or covalent immobilization of poly- or monoclonal antibodies on macroporous poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) packing materials. Capacities of these columns were constant through at least 77 cycles. Macromolecular antigens were analyzed at submicrogram levels. Antigens bound to the immunoaffinity column were desorbed and concentrated on a conventional analytical column. Gradient elution on the analytical column separated the desorbed antigen(s) from interfering species and permitted the analysis of all species which bound to the immunoaffinity column. Immunological-chromatographic analysis was useful for purification and discrimination of polypeptides of similar three dimensional structures, such as several lysozyme variants.