Colloidal Gold-labeled Secondary Antibody Research Articles

A protein chip designed to differentiate visually antibodies in chickens which were infected by four different viruses

This study aimed to develop a visual protein chip that can differentiate the antibodies induced by avian influenza virus, Newcastle disease virus, infectious bronchitis virus and infectious bursal disease virus, simultaneously. Proteins from the four viruses were purified and spotted onto an aldehyde group-modified glass slide at 2 mg/ml. After that, the protein chip was reacted with the corresponding positive serum against these viruses, hybridized with a colloidal gold-labeled secondary antibody and visualized by silver staining. A diagnostic protein chip was constructed to differentiate antibodies of four poultry diseases This protein chip showed good sensitivity compared with traditional methods, and it was more than 400 times as sensitive as the agar gel precipitin methods used to detect avian influenza and infectious bursal disease. The protein chip was used to test known serum samples of the four poultry diseases and field serum samples. The results showed that this method could hybridize specifically with the corresponding antibodies with strong signals and without cross-hybridization. In conclusion, this protein chip can be used to differentiate the antibodies induced by the four avian viruses.

WARP Is a Novel Multimeric Component of the Chondrocyte Pericellular Matrix That Interacts with Perlecan

WARP is a novel member of the von Willebrand factor A domain superfamily of extracellular matrix proteins that is expressed by chondrocytes. WARP is restricted to the presumptive articular cartilage zone prior to joint cavitation and to the articular cartilage and fibrocartilaginous elements in the joint, spine, and sternum during mouse embryonic development. In mature articular cartilage, WARP is highly specific for the chondrocyte pericellular microenvironment and co-localizes with perlecan, a prominent component of the chondrocyte pericellular region. WARP is present in the guanidine-soluble fraction of cartilage matrix extracts as a disulfide-bonded multimer, indicating that WARP is a strongly interacting component of the cartilage matrix. To investigate how WARP is integrated with the pericellular environment, we studied WARP binding to mouse perlecan using solid phase and surface plasmon resonance analysis. WARP interacts with domain III-2 of the perlecan core protein and the heparan sulfate chains of the perlecan domain I with K(D) values in the low nanomolar range. We conclude that WARP forms macromolecular structures that interact with perlecan to contribute to the assembly and/or maintenance of "permanent" cartilage structures during development and in mature cartilages.

Silver-enhanced colloidal gold metalloimmunoassay for Schistosoma japonicum antibody detection

A silver-enhanced colloidal gold metalloimmunoassay has been proposed for the determination of Schistosoma japonicum antibody (SjAb) in rabbit serum. The adult worm antigen of S. japonicum (SjAg) was adsorbed passively on the walls of a polystyrene microwell and then reacted with the desired SjAb. The colloidal gold-labeled goat anti-rabbit IgG secondary antibody was adsorbed on the walls of the polystyrene microwells through the reaction with SjAb, followed by the silver enhancement process, dissolution of silver metal atoms in an acidic solution, and determination of dissolved silver ions by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) at a glassy-carbon electrode. Assay conditions were optimized, including the reaction time of SjAg with SjAb, the interaction of SjAb with the colloidal gold-labeled secondary antibody, the dilution ratio of the colloidal gold-labeled secondary antibody and the silver enhancement time. The integration of the anodic stripping peak current depended linearly on the SjAb logarithmic concentration over the range of 6.4 ng/ml to 100 μg/ml. A detection limit as low as 3.0 ng/ml SjAb was achieved, which was better than the piezoelectric body acoustic wave sensor (detection limit of 7.2 μg/ml) and the renewable amperometric immunosensor (detection limit of 0.36 μg/ml). Rabbit serum samples with various degrees of infection were analyzed, and the results demonstrate that the proposed method meets the requirements of clinical analysis.

Immunohistochemical evidence for the existence of rat cytosolic sialidase in rat skeletal muscles.

Histochemical evidence is required to demonstrate the presence of biochemically defined cytosolic sialidase. To meet this requirement, we examined the immunohistochemical localization of the enzyme in rat skeletal muscles. Sections of chemically fixed tissues were incubated with a polyclonal antibody raised against a synthetic peptide which corresponded to a part of the enzyme protein. After incubation with the primary antibody, cryosections for fluorescence microscopy and resin sections for electron microscopy were incubated with a fluorochrome- and colloidal gold-labeled secondary antibody, respectively. Immunofluorescence was diffusely distributed in the muscle fibers and was also found in the perimysium and blood vessels. Many immunogold particles were scattered over the sarcoplasm, myofibrils, nucleoplasm, and matrix of mitochondria. The immunogold particles were also found in the equivalent compartments of axons, Schwann cells, and cells of endomysium and blood vessels. The specificity of the primary antibody was elucidated by immunoblotting and an immunoprecipitation test. These findings clearly indicate that this type of sialidase is essentially located in the cytosolic compartment. Consequently, the name, cytosolic sialidase, will be appropriate for this enzyme. Additionally it is indicated that this enzyme is also present in cells other than skeletal muscle fibers.

Use of antibody fragments (Fv) in immunocytochemistry.

We developed a novel antibody fragment (Fv) technique for localization and determination of the surface topology of membrane protein complexes by immunogold electron microscopy. Several hybridoma cell lines producing murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) raised against bacterial membrane proteins were established. The cDNAs coding for the variable domains of the MAbs were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The engineered Fv fragments served as trifunctional adapter molecules. The Fv fragment binds to the epitope of the membrane protein. The Strep tag fused to the VH chain was used for one-step affinity purification of the Fv fragments. Immunological detection of the membrane protein-bound Fv fragments in electron microscopy was accomplished either via the Strep tag with colloidal gold-labeled streptavidin or via the c-myc tag, which was fused to the VL chain, in combination with the c-myc tag-specific antibody 9E10 and a colloidal gold-labeled secondary antibody. We examined four Fv fragments directed against the cytochrome c oxidase or the ubiquinol-cytochrome c oxidoreductase of Paracoccus denitrificans and bacteriorhodopsin of Halobacterium halobium to show that this method is generally applicable. In all cases the Fv fragments showed the same results as their corresponding parent antibodies in electron microscopic immunostaining and other applications.

Immuno-Colloidal Gold Labeled Surface Replica, and Its Application to Detect sp56, the Egg Recognition and Binding Protein, on the Mouse Spermatozoon

Using immuno-colloidal gold surface replicas (IGSR), we developed a method to demonstrate surface antigens in a whole view of a cell at the EM level. In this study, a monoclonal antibody (MAB) 7C5 directed against sp56, which is a mouse sperm protein (M(r) = 56,000 daltons) and has specific affinity for the zona pellucida, was used as primary antibody. Fixed mouse spermatozoa were incubated with primary antibody and colloidal gold-labeled secondary antibody on a slide glass. Used gold particles were 10, 20 or 30 nm in diameter. The spermatozoa were then critical point dried, and replicated with platinum and carbon. Replicas were examined with a transmission EM. The result suggests that sp56 is located on the outer surface of the plasma membrane covering approximately 2/3 of dorsal edge of the sperm head, but it is virtually absent in the tapered apical tip. When 10 and 20 nm colloidal particles were used, about 500 particles were observed on one side of the flat sperm head. Although the large 30 nm particles were easily recognized in low magnification figures, the attached number on the sperm head was generally lower than the number of 10 or 20 nm particles observed. By this method, we could effectively demonstrate the localization of a surface antigen in a wide cell view with clear landmarks.

Spatiotemporal Immunolocalization of Stage-Spacific Embryonic Antigen-1 and Related Antigens in the Developing Trachea and Lung of Fetal Hamsters.

We examined the immunolocalization of stage-specific embryonic antigen-1 (SSEA-1) and related antigens in the developing trachea and lungs of fetal hamsters both in vitro and in vitro. On gestational days 10-16 (the day ot birth), fetal tracheas and lungs were fixed in phosphate-buffered paraform-aldehyde and frozen. Frozen sections were incubated with monoclonal antibodies against SSEA-1 (Lex hapten), sialyl SSEA-1 carrying i antigen and fucosyl SSEA-1 (LeYhapten). Some sections were treated with FITC-labeled secondary antibody for observation by confocal laser microscopy, and others were treated with colloidal gold-labeled secondary antibody for ultrastructural observation. In the developing tracheas, preferential staining in the ventral and lateral tracheal epithelium appeared for all of the antibodies by day 15, and ultrastructural study demonstrated that the regional difference in staining occurred regardless of cell type. In the developing lungs, positive sialyl SSEA-1-i antigen immunostaining was seen in the terminal portion of the epithelium by day 14, and the staining disappeared during the postnatal period. An in vitro study using explant organ culture of gestational day-11 lung with trachea revealed similar immuno-localization patterns. In the cultured trachea, the regional difference in immuno-staining was also seen with development of cartilage and smooth muscle, and in the cultured lung, the staining intensity became stronger in the terminal epithelium than in larger airway epithelium.

Tumors of the endocrine/neuroendocrine system: an overview.

For the sake of discussion, the markedly diversified tumors of the endocrine/neuroendocrine system are classified as those originating in classic epithelial endocrine organs (eg, adrenal cortical adenomas), from the diffuse endocrine cells (eg, jejunal carcinoid tumors), or from clusters of these cells (eg, islet cell tumors); and those arising from neurosecretory neurons (eg, neuroblastoma) or paraganglia (eg, carotid body tumor). Although traditional transmission electron microscopy is useful for identifying neurosecretory or endosecretory granules as such, with few exceptions (eg, insulin-containing granules with a complex paracrystalline core) it is not possible to ascribe a granule type (size, shape, or ultrastructure) to a distinct nosologic entity or secretory product because of their overlapping fine structures in different cell types. Immunoelectron microscopy methods utilizing colloidal gold-labeled secondary antibodies can be used to localize virtually any antigen (peptide or neuroamine) to a specific neurosecretory or endosecretory granule or other cell structure. General endocrine/neuroendocrine cell markers such as neuron-specific enolase, the chromogranins, and synaptophysin are useful in identifying neuroendocrine differentiation in a neoplasm using routine immunohistochemical procedures. The current relevance of the APUD concept of Pearse as well as the biologic importance of endocrine/neuroendocrine secretory products such as bombesin and insulinlike growth factors also are discussed.

Redistribution of Glutamate and Glutamine in Slices of Human Neocortex Exposed to Combined Hypoxia and Glucose Deprivation in vitro

This study was undertaken to elucidate the roles of neurons and glial cells in the handling of glutamate and glutamine, a glutamate precursor, during cerebral ischemia. Slices (400-600 microns) from human neocortex obtained during surgery for epilepsy or brain tumors were incubated in artificial cerebrospinal fluid and subjected to 30 min of combined hypoxia and glucose deprivation (an in vitro model of brain ischemia). These slices, and control slices that had not been subjected to "ischemic" conditions, were then fixed and embedded. Ultrathin sections were processed according to a postembedding immunocytochemical method with polyclonal antibodies raised against glutamate or glutamine, followed by colloidal gold-labeled secondary antibodies. The gold particle densities over various tissue profiles were calculated from electron micrographs using a specially designed computer program. Combined hypoxia and glucose deprivation caused a reduced glutamate immunolabeling in neuronal somata, while that of glial processes increased. Following 1 h of recovery, the glutamate labeling of neuronal somata declined further to very low values, compared to control slices. The glutamate labeling of glial cells returned to normal levels following recovery. In axon terminals, no consistent change in the level of glutamate immunolabeling was observed. Immunolabeling of glutamine was low in both nerve terminals and neuronal somata in normal slices and was reduced to nondetectable levels in nerve terminals upon hypoxia and glucose deprivation. This treatment was also associated with a reduced glutamine immunolabeling in glial cells. Reversed glutamate uptake due to perturbations of the transmembrane ion concentrations and membrane potential probably contributes to the loss of neuronal glutamate under "ischemic" conditions. The increased glutamate labeling of glial cells under the same conditions can best be explained by assuming that glial cells resist a reversal of glutamate uptake, and that their ability to convert glutamate into glutamine is compromised due to the energy failure. The persistence of a nerve terminal pool of glutamate is compatible with recent biochemical data indicating that the exocytotic glutamate release is contingent on an adequate energy supply and therefore impeded during ischemia.

Structural Variations in Anchoring Fibrils in Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa: Correlation with Type VII Collagen Expression

Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is characterized by various abnormalities of anchoring fibrils, which are mainly composed of type VII collagen, at the dermal-epidermal junction. To define these changes more clearly, we examined skin samples from 22 patients with different forms of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa by pre-embedding immunoelectron microscopy using an antibody (LH 7:2) that binds to the NC-1 globular domain of type VII collagen, followed by 1 nm colloidal gold-labeled secondary antibodies and subsequent silver enhancement. In dominant dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa cases, there was only a slight but variable reduction in the immunolabeling density on anchoring fibrils and on the lamina densa, in parts similar to normal human skin. In localized recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa skin, some fibrillar structures just below the lamina densa (and particularly subjacent to hemidesmosomes) had specific antibody labeling despite their lack of resemblance to definitive anchoring fibrils. Immunolabeling with LH 7:2 was also seen within basal keratinocyte endoplasmic reticulum and cytoplasmic vesicles in some dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa patients, usually with milder phenotypic features. Even in the most severe cases of generalized recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, occasional immunolabeling was found within the lamina densa and on scanty thin filamentous structures at sub-lamina densa sites usually occupied by anchoring fibrils. This study suggests that dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa patients express some type VII collagen NC-1 domain epitopes that may be variably reduced at the dermal-epidermal junction or retained within basal keratinocytes. The clinical heterogeneity in dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is mirrored by a range of immunoelectron microscopy findings, indicating variability in completeness of anchoring fibril formation and a possible spectrum of underlying type VII collagen structural protein abnormalities.

Negative staining in the detection of viruses in clinical specimens

Viruses have unique morphology and are therefore good candidates for negative staining. Negative staining with phosphotungstic acid (PTA) or uranyl acetate has facilitated the detection of many viruses in clinical specimens. Enhancement procedures have included the use of centrifugation and agar diffusion for concentrating virus particles, the use of solid phase capture reagents to trap virus particles and the use of secondary antibodies and electron dense markers to help visualize them. Techniques currently in use and employing negative staining include direct EM, immune electron microscopy (IEM), solid phase immune electron microscopy (SPIEM), colloidal gold-labeled protein A (PAG), solid phase IEM employing a second decorator antibody (SPIEMDAT), and solid phase IEM using colloided gold-labeled secondary antibodies (SPEIMDAGT). IEM methods assist with the detection of small viruses or viruses present in low numbers while PAG offers increased sensitivity over direct EM and IEM. In our experience the serum-in-agar (SIA) method is the most sensitive of the PAG IEM techniques for detection of rotavirus particles in clinical specimens. SPIEMDAT enhances the detection of small viruses which are often missed by other techniques due to background staining in specimens. SPEIMDAGT employing colloidal gold-labeled secondary antibody has increased sensitivity and offers the advantage of detecting viral antigen when whole virus particles are not visible. IEM techniques have recently been used for typing viruses using either monospecific antisera or monoclonal antibodies and colloidal gold-labeled secondary antibody.

An enhanced method for post-embedding immunocytochemical staining which preserves cell membranes.

We have devised a method for immunogold staining of unosmicated, plastic-embedded tissue which gives high levels of specific staining without scrificing cell ultrastructure. The key to this method is a combination of several standard techniques optimized to preserve cell membranes as well as antigen. Important conditions include (a) a combination primary fixative, (b) post-fixation with uranyl acetate to preserve membrane phospholipids, (c) dehydration with acetone to minimize extraction of phospholipids, (d) low-temperature embedding in LR Gold resin, and (e) use of osmium tetroxide to stain thin sections after immunogold labeling. We have developed this method specifically to localize the membrane receptor for immunoglobulin G in the jejunal epithelium of the neonatal rat. Ultra-thin sections of embedded tissue were stained with a monoclonal primary antibody and colloidal gold-labeled secondary antibody, followed by 2% osmium tetroxide and lead citrate. The receptor was resolved in the well-preserved network of tubules, endosomes, and other membrane compartments involved in immunoglobulin transport. In several other tissues processed by this method, cell ultrastructure resembled that seen after conventional osmium post-fixation and epoxy embedding. In addition to its usefulness in these studies, this general method should be applicable to many other immunocytochemical problems.

An immunogold-silver staining method for detection of cell surface antigens in cell smears.

We developed an indirect immunogold-silver staining method for detection of leukocyte cell surface antigens in cell smears. Air-dried and fixed cytocentrifuge preparations or smears of peripheral blood leukocytes were incubated with monoclonal antibodies (MAb) and colloidal gold-labeled secondary antibodies. The preparations were post-fixed and silver enhancement was performed. The smears were counterstained with May-Grunwald-Giemsa and examined in brightfield light microscopy. The morphology of the cells was well preserved. Leukocytes reacting with the MAb showed black granules on their surface membranes. The intense immunostaining and the low background allowed a rapid enumeration of the positive cells. The labeling could be detected with high sensitivity by epipolarization microscopy. This immunogold-silver staining method was used to quantify T- and B-lymphocytes and natural killer cells in buffy coat smears of normal adult blood. These lymphocyte subsets correlated well with those obtained in smears with the alkaline phosphatase-anti-alkaline phosphatase (APAAP) method and with those found by labeling of mononuclear cells in suspension with immunogold-silver staining. This immunogold-silver staining method forms a good alternative to immunoenzyme methods for study of hematologic cells. In addition, it could be a general procedure for detection of cell surface antigens in all kinds of cell smears.

Incorporation and turnover of biotin-labeled actin microinjected into fibroblastic cells: an immunoelectron microscopic study.

We investigated the mechanism of turnover of an actin microfilament system in fibroblastic cells on an electron microscopic level. A new derivative of actin was prepared by labeling muscle actin with biotin. Cultured fibroblastic cells were microinjected with biotinylated actin, and incorporated biotin-actin molecules were detected by immunoelectron microscopy using an anti-biotin antibody and a colloidal gold-labeled secondary antibody. We also analyzed the localization of injected biotin-actin molecules on a molecular level by freeze-drying techniques. Incorporation of biotin-actin was rapid in motile peripheral regions, such as lamellipodia and microspikes. At approximately 1 min after injection, biotin-actin molecules were mainly incorporated into the distal part of actin bundles in the microspikes. Heavily labeled actin filaments were also observed at the distal fringe of the densely packed actin networks in the lamellipodium. By 5 min after injection, most actin polymers in microspikes and lamellipodia were labeled uniformly. These findings suggest that actin subunits are added preferentially at the membrane-associated ends of preexisting actin filaments. At earlier times after injection, we often observed that the labeled segments were continuous with unlabeled segments, suggesting the incorporation of new subunits at the ends of preexisting filaments. Actin incorporation into stress fibers was a slower process. At 2-3 min after injection, microfilaments at the surface of stress fibers incorporated biotin-actin, but filaments in the core region of stress fibers did not. At 5-10 min after injection, increasing density of labeling along stress fibers toward their distal ends was observed. Stress fiber termini are generally associated with focal contacts. There was no rapid nucleation of actin filaments off the membrane of focal contacts and the pattern of actin incorporation at focal contacts was essentially identical to that into distal parts of stress fibers. By 60 min after injection, stress fibers were labeled uniformly. We also analyzed the actin incorporation into polygonal nets of actin bundles. Circular dense foci, where actin bundles radiate, were stable structures, and actin filaments around the foci incorporated biotin-actin the slowest among the actin-containing structures within the injected cells. These results indicate that the rate and pattern of actin subunit incorporation differ in different regions of the cytoplasm and suggest the possible role of rapid actin polymerization at the leading margin on the protrusive movement of fibroblastic cells.

Immunocytochemical localization of microtubule-associated proteins 1A and 2 in the rat retina

We have studied the immunocytochemical localization of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) in rat retinal cells. Using biochemical and immunochemical methods we have identified microtubule-associated protein 1 (MAP1) and microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) as major MAPs in the rat retina. With indirect immunofluorescence microscopy, the inner plexiform layer and the ganglion cell layer were stained with both anti-MAP1A antibody and anti-MAP2 antibody. Cells at the inner margin of the inner nuclear layer were prominently stained with anti-MAP2, but not with anti-MAP1A. Thin section-immunoelectron microscopy using colloidal gold-labeled secondary antibodies revealed MAP1A and MAP2 staining in the neuronal processes of the inner plexiform layer. A filamentous network between the microtubules in the neurites was stained with both antibodies. The developmental course of expression of MAP1A and MAP2 in rat retina was studied by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. Although MAP2 was already present at 1 day postnatal, MAP1A was not detected until 7 days postnatal. These results indicate that: (1) retinal neurons are heterogeneous in their expression of MAPs; (2) retinal ganglion cells show the same intracellular distribution of MAP1A and MAP2 as typical nerve cells such as motor neurons; and (3) MAP1A and MAP2 are differentially expressed in developing rat retina.

Type VI collagen: Immunohistochemical identification as a filamentous component of the extracellular matrix of the developing avian corneal stroma

Selected stages of the developing chicken cornea have been examined for type VI collagen, employing monoclonal antibodies specific for this molecule. By immunofluorescence, the molecule is not detectable in 5 1 2 day corneas, a time at which the epithelial-derived, acellular primary stroma is the only corneal matrix present. One day later, the presumptive stromal fibroblasts have invaded this stroma and have initiated synthesis of the secondary (mature) stroma. By that time, a strong fluorescent signal for the type VI collagen molecule is detectable throughout the stroma. It is present in all subsequent ages examined. The molecule is not restricted to the cornea, and is present in most stromal matrices examined, including those of the sclera, eyelid, and nictitating membrane. Immunoelectron microscopy was also performed, utilizing a colloidal gold-labeled secondary antibody. These data show that the type VI collagen is not a component of the striated collagen fibrils, but instead is assembled in the form of thin filaments. The monoclonal antibody bound to the filaments at periodic intervals of about 100 nm.