Affinity Constants Of Antibodies Research Articles

Simple Determination of Affinity Constants of Antibodies by Competitive Immunoassays.

The affinity constant, also known as the equilibrium constant, binding constant, equilibrium association constant, or the reciprocal value, the equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd), can be considered as one of the most important characteristics for any antibody-antigen pair. Many methods based on different technologies have been proposed and used to determine this value. However, since a very large number of publications and commercial datasheets do not include this information, significant obstacles in performing such measurements seem to exist. In other cases where such data are reported, the results have often proved to be unreliable. This situation may indicate that most of the technologies available today require a high level of expertise and effort that does not seem to be available in many laboratories. In this paper, we present a simple approach based on standard immunoassay technology that is easy and quick to perform. It relies on the effect that the molar IC50 approaches the Kd value in the case of infinitely small concentrations of the reagent concentrations. A two-dimensional dilution of the reagents leads to an asymptotic convergence to Kd. The approach has some similarity to the well-known checkerboard titration used for the optimization of immunoassays. A well-known antibody against the FLAG peptide, clone M2, was used as a model system and the results were compared with other methods. This approach could be used in any case where a competitive assay is available or can be developed. The determination of an affinity constant should belong to the crucial parameters in any quality control of antibody-related products and assays and should be mandatory in papers using immunochemical protocols.

A Versatile PdRu Bimetallic Nanoenzyme-Integrated Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Highly Sensitive Escherichia coli O157:H7 Detection.

Nanozymes have drawn much attention as an enzyme mimetic with low cost and stability in enhancing analytical performance. Herein, a peroxidase-mimicking nanozyme-improved enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed employing the bimetallic PdRu nanozyme to replace the natural enzymes as a catalytic carrier for the sensing of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7). The PdRu nanozyme displayed ultrahigh catalytic activity, possessing a catalytic rate that was 5-fold higher than horseradish peroxidase (HRP). In addition, PdRu exhibited great biological affinity with antibody (affinity constant was about 6.75 × 1012 M) and high stability. All those advantages ensure the successful establishment and the construction of a novel colorimetric biosensor for E. coli O157:H7 detection. PdRu-based ELISA not only achieved an ultrasensitive detection sensitivity (8.7 × 102 CFU/mL) by approximately 288-fold as compared to the traditional HRP-based ELISA and also possessed satisfactory specificity and reproducibility (relative standard deviation (RSD) < 10%). Furthermore, the feasibility of PdRu-ELISA was further evaluated by detecting E. coli O157:H7 in actual samples with satisfactory recoveries, indicating its potential for applications in bioassays and clinical diagnostics.

A novel antigen immunochromatography fluorometric strip for rapid detection and application of pathogenic bacterial high-quality antibody

Unlike traditional immunoassay strips, a novel antigen immunechromatography fluorometric strip (AICFS) using inactivated bacterial antigen instead of an antibody as a test line and goat anti-mouse IgG-FITC as a tracer was developed. The applicability survey of AICFS indicated that E. coli O157:H7 (D3) and Acidovorax citrulli (6F) hybridoma cell cultures could be detected, but Vibrio parahemolyticus (H7, C9) hybridoma cell cultures were missed compared with the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The four antibody affinity constants (Ka) were measured and compared, and AICFS could be suitable for high-affinity antibody detection. Compared with the traditional indirect ELISA, the AICFS sensitivity for D3 cell cultures, ascites, and purified antibodies was at least 2-fold more sensitive, the AICFS specific for D3 cell cultures by comparative interpretation was compliant except for the strain ATCC 43895, and the indirect ELISA missed it. More importantly, the AICFS method was confirmed by various real samples that it could be used in different scenarios regarding the antibody, including McAb preparation, the effective antibody use, and high-affinity antibody-secreted hybridoma auxiliary preparation and screening. It could be an excellent alternative method with less than 5% corresponding processing time for indirect ELISA method for pathogenic bacterial high-quality antibody detection. This is the first report of using AICFS for bacterial high-quality antibody detection and application in different samples, which demonstrates a rapid auxiliary tool for high-affinity antibody secreted-hybridoma screening and an excellent alternative method for high-quality antibody application.

NEW MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES TO THE PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN: OBTAINING AND STUDYING BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

Original set of 15 clones of hybridomas producers of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) (using as a source of lymphocytes of mice of inbred strains NZB and Balb/c) was obtained. The activity in ELISA, affinity constant and titer in the culture fluid of the mAbs obtained from NZB mice are higher compared to the mAbs obtained from the Balb/c mice splenocytes. Conjugates of obtained mAbs with horseradish peroxidase were synthesized, and it allowed performing comparative epitope characterization of the resulting set of mAbs. Studied mAbs are directed to 4 epitopes of PSA molecule: 2 mAbs interacting with one of the epitopes showed cross-activity with PSA-related protein – human kallikrein 2; 2 mAbs of the same epitope specificity blocked the enzymatic activity of PSA; mAbs of the remaining two epitopes either did not affect PSA chymotrypsin activity at all, or this inhibitory effect was not significant. The obtained mAbs recognize antigenic determinants that are not screened when interacting with α1-antichymotrypsin, as well as those that are localized in the places where α1-antichymotrypsin interacts with PSA. Within each of the given two mAbs groups, there are antibodies belonging to different epitopes, which give prospects for the further use of the obtained mAbs in immunoassay and immunobiotechnology. Two alternative methods for determining of the mAbs constants of affinity (by Friguet and Scatchard) are comparable (for determination of the affinity constants of anti-PSA antibodies): coefficient of linear correlation between the affinity constants defined by different methods was 0.90.

Measuring affinity constants of 1450 monoclonal antibodies to peptide targets with a microarray-based label-free assay platform

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are major reagents for research and clinical diagnosis. For their inherently high specificities to intended antigen targets and thus low toxicity in general, they are pursued as one of the major classes of new drugs. Yet binding properties of most monoclonal antibodies are not well characterized in terms of affinity constants and how they vary with presentations and/or conformational isomers of antigens, buffer compositions, and temperature. We here report a microarray-based label-free assay platform for high-throughput measurements of monoclonal antibody affinity constants to antigens immobilized on solid surfaces. Using this platform we measured affinity constants of over 1410 rabbit monoclonal antibodies and 46 mouse monoclonal antibodies to peptide targets that are immobilized through a terminal cysteine residue to a glass surface. The experimentally measured affinity constants vary from 10 pM to 200 pM with the median value at 66 pM. We compare the results obtained from the microarray-based platform with those from a benchmarking surface-plasmon-resonance-based (SPR) sensor (Biacore 3000).

Highly selective and sensitive detection of β-agonists using a surface plasmon resonance sensor based on an alkanethiol monolayer functionalized on a Au surface.

Immunosensor surfaces for surface plasmon resonance (SPR) have been constructed using a functionalized succinimidyl propanethiol monolayer as a linker to immobilize β-agonist protein conjugates on a Au surface. Because β-agonist is a small molecule, an indirect competitive inhibition immunoassay was used for detection. The lowest detection limits for ractopamine and salbutamol were 10 ppt (10 pg mL(-1)) and 5 ppt (5 pg mL(-1)), respectively. The fabricated immunosensor surface can be used again for detection after regeneration in 0.1 M sodium hydroxide. It was found that the same sensor surface could be reused for performing over 100 rapid immunoreactions. Moreover, one immunosensing-regeneration cycle requires only 600 s. The fabricated immunosensor surfaces were characterized using SPR and scanning tunneling microscopy observation. In the kinetic study of the indirect competitive immunosensing inhibition, the affinity constant (K1) of salbutamol antibody was smaller than the K1 of ractopamine antibody. Compared to a previous study of clenbuterol detection, it was concluded that the high K1 was coupled with low sensitivity. In the selectivity study, both immunosensor surfaces provided >90% of confidence level for the specific detection of β-agonist compounds. The fabrication of highly selective and sensitive sensor surfaces for detecting β-agonist compounds was confirmed.

Recognition of riboflavin and the capsular polysaccharide of Haemophilus influenzae type b by antibodies generated to the haptenic epitope D-ribitol

D-Ribitol, a five-carbon sugar alcohol, is an important metabolite in the pentose phosphate pathway; it is an integral part of riboflavin (vitamin B2) and cell wall polysaccharides in most Gram-positive and a few Gram-negative bacteria. Antibodies specific to D-ribitol were generated in New Zealand white rabbits by using reductively aminated D-ribose-BSA conjugate as the immunogen. MALDI-TOF and amino group analyses of ribitol-BSA conjugate following 120 h reaction showed ~27-30 mol of ribitol conjugated per mole BSA. The presence of sugar alcohol in the conjugates was also confirmed by an increase in molecular mass and a positive periodic acid-Schiff staining in SDS-PAGE. Caprylic acid precipitation of rabbit serum followed by hapten affinity chromatography on ribitol-KLH-Sepharose CL-6B resulted in pure ribitol-specific antibodies (~45-50 μg/mL). The affinity constant of ribitol antibodies was found to be 2.9 × 10(7) M(-1) by non-competitive ELISA. Ribitol antibodies showed 100% specificity towards ribitol, ~800% cross-reactivity towards riboflavin, 10-15% cross-reactivity with sorbitol, xylitol and mannitol, and 5-7% cross-reactivity with L-arabinitol and meso-erythritol. The specificity of antibody to ribitol was further confirmed by its low cross-reactivity (0.4%) with lumichrome. Antibodies to D-ribitol recognized the purified capsular polysaccharide of Haemophilus influenzae type b, which could be specifically inhibited by ribitol. In conclusion, antibodies specific to D-ribitol have been generated and characterized, which have potential applications in the detection of free riboflavin and ribitol in biological samples, as well as identification of cell-surface macromolecules containing ribitol.

Preparation and Identification of a Novel Antibody Against Human CDC7 Kinase

Cell division cycle 7-related protein kinase (CDC7), which is conservatively expressed in the eukaryotic cells, is being intensely studied because of its significant function in DNA replication. In order to get further information on human CDC7, we generated a novel antibody against human CDC7. The steady strain of hybridoma (2G12) that can secrete specific monoclonal antibodies against human CDC7 was obtained by hybridoma technique. It is poised to contribute novel ways to study the cell cycle. The isotope of the monoclonal antibody was tested to be IgG2a/κ, and its characterizations were shown by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot analysis. The affinity constant (Kaff) of the monoclonal antibody was measured by non-competitive ELISA. By Western blot analysis, we found that CDC7 was largely expressed on the HCCLM3 cell line. Further identifications were adopted by the HRP-labeled MAbs. Thus, the antibody might boost studies on tumor cell lines.

A study on inhibition of inflammation via p75TNFR signaling pathway activation in mice with traumatic brain injury

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of and mechanisms underlying the activation of the p75 tumor necrosis factor receptor (p75TNFR) signaling pathway in inflammatory responses in mice with traumatic brain injury. MethodsWe first generated hybridomas that produced antibodies specific for p75TNFR, by inoculating BALB/c mice with antigenic peptides derived from mouse p75TNFR, which is critical to the binding of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and p75TNFR. The isotype, epitope, titer, specificity, and affinity constant of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were determined using commercial kits and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We then screened the agonist antibody via L929 cytotoxicity assay. The levels of inflammatory factors were detected in C57BL/6 mice with traumatic brain injury and then the mice were injected with either saline (control) or p75TNFR agonist mAb. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of p75TNFR agonist mAb on p38MAPK and nuclear factor-κB signals. ResultsSeven mAbs against p75TNFR were generated. Among them, the mAb D8F2 could markedly enhance the cytotoxicity of TNF-α on L929 cells. In a traumatic brain injury model, D8F2 could inhibit the levels of inflammatory factors and downregulate RNA transcription of these factors by suppressing the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor-κB. ConclusionThe mAb D8F2 could inhibit posttraumatic inflammatory responses effectively. In this study, we developed an agonist anti-mouse p75TNFR mAb, which may be used in the future to devise new strategies for the clinical treatment of inflammation after trauma.

Purification of Anti-HPA-1a Directly from Plasma Using Immobilised Recombinant HPA-1a Enables Determination of Antibody Affinity by Surface Plasmon Resonance Technology in Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia.

Background: Most severe cases of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) in the Caucasian population are due to anti-HPA-1a. The precise influences of antibody amount or affinity on severity of NAIT remain to be elucidated. In an earlier study, we assessed the interaction between anti-HPA-1a and HPA-1a antigen by surface plasmon resonance technology (SPRT) using IgG fractions recovered from antibody (ab) positive HPA-1b maternal sera using protein-A chromatography. However, high background in some of the IgG fractions prohibited the determination of antibody affinity (Bessos et al, Trans Apher Sci, In Press). The aim of this study was to investigate the affinity of anti-HPA-1a purified directly from plasma using immobilised HPA-1a antigen.Methods: Native glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa was extracted and purified from HPA-1a1a platelet donors, while recombinant PSI domain of HPA-1a GPIIIa (rec-HPA-1a) was obtained by conventional cloning techniques. CNBr activated Sepharose 4B was coupled either with native GPIIb/IIIa or with rec-HPA-1a and used for the immunopurification of anti-HPA-1a directly from 4 female plasma samples positive for anti-HPA-1a ab. The plasma samples were pre-adsorbed with non-coupled Sepharose 4B prior to mixing with immobilised HPA-1a antigen. The acid eluted abs were dialysed, concentrated and assessed by ELISA (using HPA-1a GPIIb/IIIa coated plates), silver staining (using reduced gels) and SPRT-Biacore X, using CM5 sensor chips bound with HPA-1a1a or HPA-1b1b antigen at 600–800 response units (RU). GPIIIa AP3 monoclonal ab (Mab) & CamTran 007 recombinant anti-HPA-1a (r-anti-1a) were used as controls in SPRT. Affinity and dissociation constants (Ka and Kd respectively) of abs tested in serial doubling dilutions were determined using the computer software BIAevaluation 3.2 RC1 (Biacore) - Langmuir 1:1 mathematical model.Results: Control AP3 Mab bound to both HPA-1a & -1b chips in SPRT yielding respective Ka values of 2x105 & 1.7x104, and respective Kd values of 2.6x10−3 & 6.7x10−5; while control r-anti-1a bound specifically to HPA-1a chips yielding Ka and Kd of 2.9x105 & 8.3x10−4. Antibodies purified from plasma using immobilised rec-HPA-1a demonstrated higher binding in the ELISA and purer samples by silver staining (IgG heavy and light chains) compared to abs purified using immobilised native GP. This was reflected in SPRT where anti-HPA-1a purified using immobilised native GP exhibited high background that prohibited Ka and Kd determinations, whereas abs purified using immobilised rec-HPA- 1a bound specifically to HPA-1a chips, enabling Ka and Kd determinations which ranged from 6.9x103 to 7.9x104 for Ka, and from 1.3x10−4 to 3.4x10−4 for Kd. Anti-HPA-1a purified by immobilised rec-HPA-1a also interacted specifically with CM 5 sensor chips bound with rec-HPA-1a but not rec-HPA-1b, although with lower affinity constants compared to chips bound with native HPA-1a GP, yielding Ka of 4.2x102 to 9.1x103, & Kd of 3.4x10−3 to 8.6x10−5.Conclusion: This is the first report of the direct purification of anti-HPA-1a from plasma by immobilised HPA-1a antigen. Our study shows that immunopurification of plasma using immobilised rec-HPA-1a yields pure anti-HPA-1a antibodies that bind specifically in SPRT to chips coupled with both native or recombinant HPA-1a, allowing determination of antibody affinity and dissociation constants. This novel development would enable much needed analysis of anti-HPA-1a binding mechanisms in NAIT involving patients with different disease outcomes.

The affinity of IgG antibodies to gag p24 and p17 in HIV-1-infected patients correlates with disease progression.

The affinity of anti-gag antibody was studied for up to 9 years (1984-1993) in sera from 15 HIV-1+ patients with haemophilia. On the basis of their 1993 clinical status patients were divided into two groups: (i) patients who remained asymptomatic (n = 9); and (ii) those who progressed to AIDS between late 1987 and 1993. The affinity constants of antibody for p24 and p17 were determined by a double isotope fluid-phase radioimmunoassay; and the relationships between antibody affinity and titre, patient clinical course, CD4 cell counts and p24 antigenaemia were analysed. The affinity of p24- and p17-specific antibody was up to 100 times greater in asymptomatic patients than in patients who progressed to AIDS. Patients who developed AIDS either lost or failed to develop high-affinity antibodies early in the infection. Asymptomatic patients maintained high-affinity antibodies for several years; however, in some of these patients the affinity of anti-p24 and p17 antibodies subsequently fell later in the study period. The presence of low-affinity antibody and progressive reduction in the titre of specific antibody were earlier predictors of disease onset than CD4 cell counts. The failure to either develop or maintain high affinity gag-specific antibody suggests an early impairment of T helper function in individuals who progressed to AIDS. The presence of antibody of high affinity could be essential in controlling virus replication and the onset of AIDS.

Estimation of solid phase affinity constants using resistive-pulses from functionalized nanoparticles

This paper describes a method for estimating the solid phase affinity constant of antibodies by using resistive-pulse (Coulter counting) data from spherical nanoparticles that expose antigens. We developed this technique by analyzing data published recently by Saleh, O.A., Sohn, L.L., 2003a. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 100, 820-824. These authors used resistive-pulse sensing to detect an increase in the diameter of streptavidin-functionalized colloids due to the binding of monoclonal anti-streptavidin antibodies. Based on further analysis of their data, we were able to determine the number of antibodies bound to the colloids at various antibody concentrations. This information made it possible to estimate the solid phase affinity constant of the interaction by fitting the data with binding isotherms that describe the binding equilibrium between antibody and antigen. We calculated a value of 2.6x10(8)+/-0.8x10(8) M-1 which is in agreement with the specifications of the supplier of the antibody.

Complexity in the immune system

The immune system is a real-time example of an evolving system that navigates the essentially infinite complexity of protein sequence space. How this system responds to disease and vaccination is discussed. Of particular focus is the case when vaccination leads to increased susceptibility to disease, a phenomenon termed original antigenic sin. A physical theory of protein evolution to explain limitations in the immune system response to vaccination and disease is discussed, and original antigenic sin is explained as stemming from localization of the immune system response in antibody sequence space. This localization is a result of the roughness in sequence space of the evolved antibody affinity constant for antigen and is observed for diseases with high year-to-year mutation rates, such as influenza.

Sequence space localization in the immune system response to vaccination and disease.

We introduce a model of protein evolution to explain limitations in the immune system response to vaccination and disease. The phenomenon of original antigenic sin, wherein vaccination creates memory sequences that can increase susceptibility to future exposures to the same disease, is explained as stemming from localization of the immune system response in antibody sequence space. This localization is a result of the roughness in sequence space of the evolved antibody affinity constant for antigen and is observed for diseases with high year-to-year mutation rates, such as influenza.

Highly selective and sensitive SPR immunosensor for detection of methamphetamine

Highly sensitive and selective detection of methamphetamine (MA) was realized by using an immunosensor based on surface-plasmon-resonance (SPR) phenomena. A methamphetamine-bovine serum albumin (MA–BSA) conjugate was prepared as an antigen. It was immobilized on the Au thin film of sensor chip by physical adsorption. The incident angle of the MA–BSA immobilized sensor increased with increasing concentration of anti-MA–BSA antibody up to ca. 20 μg/ml (ppm) and then almost saturated above this concentration. The addition of MA into the antibody solution (20 ppm) was found to decrease the incident angle shift sharply because of the inhibition effect of MA. The present sensor was confirmed to detect MA very sensitively in the concentration range of 0.1–1000 ng/ml (ppb). Moreover, it was found that the sensor could detect MA in the PBS solution containing 1% human urine without any significant changes in incident angle shift due to nonspecific adsorption. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the interference effect of methylephedrine on the MA sensitivity of the sensor was fairly small. From the correlation between incident angle shift and MA concentration, the affinity constants of anti-MA antibody to MA (in liquid media) and MA–BSA (immobilized) were evaluated by assuming Langmuir isotherm and equilibrium state of immunoreaction.

A simple method for determining KAs of both low and high affinity IgG antibodies

A rapid and convenient method for measuring affinity constants ( K A) of IgG antibody–hapten complexes is described. A key advantage of this method is its suitability for quantification of both low and high affinity interactions. A comparison is made of the K As of the low affinity anti-phosphocholine (PC) antibody T15 ( K A=2.9×10 5 M −1) and five heavy chain complementarity determining region 2 (HCDR2) mutant antibodies expressed as IgG2b transfectants. As a demonstration of the general applicability of the technique, colchicine binding to the high affinity monoclonal IgG2a antibody C44 ( K A=1.5×10 9 M −1) is measured also; thus the assay is applicable over a four-log range of affinities. The assay, based upon use of fixed Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I strain cells as an adsorbent for antibody-radiolabeled antigen complexes, is conducted over a range of hapten concentrations at constant antibody concentration. The K A is obtained by Scatchard analysis.

Kinetic and affinity constants of epitope specific anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) monoclonal antibodies for CEA and engineered CEA domain constructs

Background: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a human tumor antigen with the domain structure N-A1-B1-A2-B2-A3-B3, in which each domain is predicted to have an Ig-like fold and is known to bind epitope specific anti-CEA antibodies. Objective: To determine the affinity constants of several domain specific anti-CEA antibodies using purified recombinant or synthetic domains. Results and Conclusion: We have determined the kinetic and affinity constants of several anti-CEA antibodies for CEA, CEA domains (A3-B3) expressed in HeLa cells, and a synthetic peptide corresponding to the A3 domain using a BIAcore biosensor. There was no difference in affinity for CEA among a murine (mT84.66), a mouse/human chimeric form (cT84.66) or a disulfide deleted version (ΔSScT84.66) of this antibody. There was less than a five-fold drop in affinity of murine T84.66 for the A3-B3 domain expressed in HeLa cells compared to CEA. The synthetic A3 domain had an affinity constant for mT84.66 which was ten-fold less than for CEA. The affinity constants for CEA with several other anti-CEA monoclonal antibodies, including three antibodies which have almost identical CDR sequences (CEA.281, CEA.11 and CEM231) were also determined. CEM231 which had a two-fold higher affinity constant for CEA than either CEA.281 or CEA.11 had a two-fold faster on-rate which accounts for its higher affinity constant. This difference may be due to one or more of the amino acid differences present in H1 (N vs. S or D) and H3 (A vs. V).

Comparison of Different Immunoenzymatic Methods for the Determination of the Fine Specificity and Affinity Constants of Polyclonal Antibodies Against Pseudopeptide Haptens

We evaluated two phosphinopeptides and one phosphonopeptide, which are transition state analogs of a proteolytic reaction, for their ability to generate murine polyclonal antibodies. The specificity of these antisera was determined by indirect and competitive ELISA. Cross-reactivity analysis by these ELISA showed that the antisera recognized selectively haptens containing a phosphate group. The pseudopeptides recognized by the antisera in the indirect ELISA were not the same, however, as those recognized in the competitive ELISA. The differences between these results are probably due to the presentation forms of the hapten, i.e., passively adsorbed in the former ELISA format and soluble in the latter. The affinity of the antibodies was then determined by using two methods based on competitive ELISA, one described by Friguet et al. and the other by Seligman. The dissociation constant (Kd) values calculated by the two methods, for an antiserum and its homologous hapten, are similar. However, only the middle portion of the inhibition scale in Seligman's method gave access to reliable values. Nevertheless, the Seligman representation allowed us to underscore the large range of affinity constants of the polyclonal antibodies.

Identification of the Fy6 epitope recognized by two monoclonal antibodies in the N-terminal extracellular portion of the Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines

The epitope Fy6 recognized by two monoclonal antibodies (i3A and BG6), which inhibit binding of chemokines to the Duffy antigen, was characterized by means of peptides synthesized on pins (Epitope Scanning Kit) and deletion mutagenesis. Both antibodies showed very similar specificities. They recognized a linear epitope, the essential portion of which was the heptapeptide Gln-Leu-Asp-Phe-Glu-Asp-Val comprising amino acid residues 21–27, located between two glycosylation sites of the Duffy protein. All the amino acid residues of the epitope, except Glu, were essential for antibody binding, since they could not be replaced by any other amino acid residues or by only one or two. The Glu residue could be replaced by most other amino acid residues, and its replacement by 10 amino acid residues gave a distinct increase in the antibody binding. The results were in full agreement with the finding that the mutant of the Duffy antigen, lacking amino acid residues 23–25 (-Asp-Phe-Glu-), did not bind the i3A antibody, but bound the anti-Fy3 monoclonal antibody similarly to the wild type of the Duffy antigen. The apparent affinity constants of both anti-Fy6 antibodies were determined by surface plasmon resonance, using immunopurified Duffy protein as a ligand.

125I]IgM (KAU) Human monoclonal cold agglutinin: Labelling and studies on its biological activity

In order to study the interaction between an IgM cold agglutinin and the erythrocyte I antigen, the former antibody was labelled with 125I using the Chloramine-T, IODOGEN and Bolton-Hunter methods. High incorporation and adequate stability of the labelled IgM were obtained with all procedures. However, suitable biological activity was maintained only with the Bolton-Hunter method. Further studies suggest that tyrosine iodination affects antigen recognition by this IgM, whereas iodination of amino groups does not. The reagent thus prepared allowed the determination of the number of I sites per erythrocyte as well as the antibody affinity constant.