Localization of [14C] labeled anti-streptococcal cell membrane monoclonal antibodies (anti-SCM mAb) in mice

Molecular Mimicry, Autoimmunity, and Infection: The Cross-Reactive Antigens of Group A Streptococci and their Sequelae

The group A streptococci are associated with a group of diseases affecting the heart, brain, and joints that are collectively referred to as acute rheumatic fever. The streptococcal immune-mediated sequelae, including acute rheumatic fever, are due to antibody and cellular immune responses that target antigens in the heart and brain as well as the group A streptococcal cross-reactive antigens as reviewed in this article. The pathogenesis of acute rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease, Sydenham chorea, and other autoimmune sequelae is related to autoantibodies that are characteristic of autoimmune diseases and result from the immune responses against group A streptococcal infection by the host. The sharing of host and streptococcal epitopes leads to molecular mimicry between the streptococcal and host antigens that are recognized by the autoantibodies during the host response. This article elaborates on the discoveries that led to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of disease and provides an overview of the history and the most current thought about the immune responses against the host and streptococcal cross-reactive antigens in group A streptococcal sequelae.

Epitope mapping of homologous and cross-reactive antigens by monoclonal antibodies to streptococcal cell membrane (mAb to SCM)

An approach to epitope mapping of a series of anti-streptococcal cell membrane (SCM) mAbs is described. Evaluations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of one control mAb HB-35 and 13 different anti-SCM mAbs were made on homologous SCM antigen and human basement membrane antigens isolated from glomeruli (GBM) and lung (LBM). These anti-SCM mAbs were previously shown to be cross-reactive in a variety of systems with both GBM and LBM. The binding capacities were measured for all 14 mAbs on ELISA plates sensitized with SCM antigen or the cross-reactive GBM or LBM antigens, at 5 micrograms/ml or approximately 20 pM/well. From the 50% binding capacity dilution the pM of mAb bound/pM antigen-well was calculated which translated into an estimate of the ratio-number of epitopes bound. Observations with the homologous and cross-reactive antigens showed multiple reactive epitope ratios to eight mAbs whereas the other five yielded a ratio value of one or two on the tested antigens. Plates blocked with a specific dilution of one mAb evaluated the binding by a second mAb providing both binding and specificity data. One mAb (I-F-3) blocked all the other anti-SCM mAbs on all three antigen plates. An additive effect was noted by three mAbs, I-G-8, II-C-4 and II-D-8 with most of the other mAbs. The order of placement, however, made distinctive differences; II-F-4 showed an additive or enhancement effect on I-B-5 but no reciprocal effect was seen. A similar effect was made with I-G-8 and II-C-4 or I-F-7. Possible interpretations are that each mAb is binding different epitopes each fully exposed, and the order of placement of the mAbs makes no difference. Where an enhanced effect was observed it is suggested that the binding of the first mAb changed the conformation of the antigen, thereby opening and exposing additional epitope(s) to the second antibody. Or, in contrast, where the second mAb was blocked by the first, a fixing of the protein conformation is suggested thereby occluding the other epitope, as seen with I-F-3 and II-C-4. These epitope mapping procedures confirmed that all 13 anti-SCM mAbs were binding at different epitopes. The nature of basement membrane collagens and how this relates to post-streptococcal sequelae will be discussed.

Immunochemical studies of streptococcal cell membrane antigens immunologically related to glomerular basement membrane

Pursuing an autoimmune model for the etiology of poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, protein antigens isolated from the cytoplasmic membrane of nephritogenic group A Type 12 Streptococcus pyogenes were immunochemically characterized using antistreptococcal cell membrane (SCM) monoclonal antibody (MAb) cross-reactive with glomerular basement membrane (GBM). Low molecular weight (9.2, 7.0, 4.7, 2.3 kDa) HPLC-purified SCM polypeptide antigens were characterized by competitive inhibition and equilibrium dialysis. Competitive inhibition of the MAb, by different sized SCM polypeptide antigens showed an inverse relationship between the size of these antigens and the molar amount required to obtain 50% inhibition of the MAb, confirming previous observations that suggested that these SCM antigens exhibit increasing epitope concentration with increasing size, that is constant epitope density. The observed changes in epitope concentration correlated with differences in the valence and affinity of the MAb as determined by equilibrium dialysis. The Kds of the MAb for 9.2-, 7.0-, 4.7-, and 2.3-kDa SCM antigens ranged from 7.42 x 10(-7) to 1.15 x 10(-5). The experimentally determined MAb valence for these antigens was 2 for the 9.2-kDa antigen and approached 10 for the smaller antigens. Finally, the similarity of these SCM antigens was reflected in similar amino acid compositions; of note, these data agreed with the compositions previously reported for sized GBM antigens. Concentrations of Asp, Thr, Ser, Glu, Gly, Ala, Val, Ile, and Leu paralleled increasing epitope concentration. Apparent N-terminal blocking prevented sequencing of these peptides, but these immunochemical data suggest that intact SCM antigen recognized by the anti-SCM MAb consists of repeating epitopes, an observation consistent with the cytoplasmic membrane source of the antigen.