Primary Mouse Antibody Research Articles

Tackling the Mouse-on-Mouse Problem in Cochlear Immunofluorescence: A Simple Double-Blocking Protocol for Immunofluorescent Labeling of Murine Cochlear Sections with Primary Mouse Antibodies.

The mouse is the most widely used animal model in hearing research. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescent staining of murine cochlear sections have, thus, remained a backbone of inner ear research. Since many primary antibodies are raised in mouse, the problem of "mouse-on-mouse" background arises due to the interaction between the anti-mouse secondary antibody and the native mouse immunoglobulins. Here, we describe the pattern of mouse-on-mouse background fluorescence in sections of the postnatal mouse cochlea. Furthermore, we describe a simple double-blocking immunofluorescence protocol to label mouse cochlear cryosections. The protocol contains a conventional blocking step with serum, and an additional blocking step with a commercially available anti-mouse IgG blocking reagent. This blocking technique virtually eliminates the "mouse-on-mouse" background in murine cochlear sections, while adding only a little time to the staining protocol. We provide detailed instructions and practical tips for tissue harvesting, processing, and immunofluorescence-labeling. Further protocol modifications are described, to shorten the duration of the protocol, based on the primary antibody incubation temperature. Finally, we demonstrate examples of immunofluorescence staining performed using different incubation times and various incubation temperatures with a commercially available mouse monoclonal primary antibody. © 2020 The Authors. Basic Protocol: Tackling the Mouse-on-Mouse Problem in Cochlear Immunofluorescence: A Simple Double-Blocking Protocol for Immunofluorescent Labeling of Murine Cochlear Sections with Primary Mouse Antibodies.

Reactivity of astrocytes in the periaqueductal gray matter of rats treated with monosodium glutamate.

The astrocytic S100b calcium-binding protein performs numerous intra- and extracellular functions, promoting the survival of central nervous system (CNS) structures. Its increased synthesis and release are a manifestation of reactive glial behavior, crucial for the maintenance of proper neuronal function, particularly under the pathological conditions. The periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) is a mindbrain area composed of four parts dorsomedial (dm), dorsolateral (dl), lateral (l) and ventrolateral (vl)) which are involved in pain sensing and defensive reactions of the body. The aim of this study was to evaluate the S100b protein immunoreactive (S100b-IR) astrocytes in adult rats after administration of monosodium glutamate (MSG). The animals were administered the saline solution (group C), 2 g/kg b.w. MSG (group I) and 4 g/kg b.w. MSG (group II). The study was carried out on the brain sections stained by immunohistochemical peroxidase-antiperoxidase method with a primary mouse antibody against the S100b protein. The analyses showed the presence of the S100b-immunoreactive cells in dm, dl, l, vl PAG of all animals. In the C and I group animals, the PAG astrocytes were characterized mainly by the presence of the studied protein in the nucleus and cytoplasm of the cell body. In the group II rats in all parts of PAG, the S100b-IR cells with numerous, thicker and branched processes were observed. A decrease in the number of the S100b-IR cells was found in dm, dl and l PAG in the MSG-treated animals, particularly with the larger dose. The number of cells with the S100b expression was comparable in vl PAG in all rats. MSG administered parenterally to the higher dose to adult rats affects the immunoreactivity of S100b protein in PAG. Phenotypic changes of the studied cells may indicate reactivity of glial cells and increased expression of the studied protein whereas a decrease in their number may result from the increased protein secretion into the extracellular space or cytotoxic death of glial cells.

Structure guided homology model based design and engineering of mouse antibodies for humanization.

No universal strategy exists for humanizing mouse antibodies, and most approaches are based on primary sequence alignment and grafting. Although this strategy theoretically decreases the immunogenicity of mouse antibodies, it neither addresses conformational changes nor steric clashes that arise due to grafting of human germline frameworks to accommodate mouse CDR regions. To address these issues, we created and tested a structure-based biologic design approach using a de novo homology model to aid in the humanization of 17 unique mouse antibodies. Our approach included building a structure-based de novo homology model from the primary mouse antibody sequence, mutation of the mouse framework residues to the closest human germline sequence and energy minimization by simulated annealing on the humanized homology model. Certain residues displayed force field errors and revealed steric clashes upon closer examination. Therefore, further mutations were introduced to rationally correct these errors. In conclusion, use of de novo antibody homology modeling together with simulated annealing improved the ability to predict conformational and steric clashes that may arise due to conversion of a mouse antibody into the humanized form and would prevent its neutralization when administered in vivo. This design provides a robust path towards the development of a universal strategy for humanization of mouse antibodies using computationally derived antibody homologous structures.

Protein Kinase Cδ-mediated Phosphorylation of Connexin43 Gap Junction Channels Causes Movement within Gap Junctions followed by Vesicle Internalization and Protein Degradation

Phosphorylation of gap junction proteins, connexins, plays a role in global signaling events involving kinases. Connexin43 (Cx43), a ubiquitous and important connexin, has several phosphorylation sites for specific kinases. We appended an imaging reporter tag for the activity of the δ isoform of protein kinase C (PKCδ) to the carboxyl terminus of Cx43. The FRET signal of this reporter is inversely related to the phosphorylation of serine 368 of Cx43. By activating PKC with the phorbol ester phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) or a natural stimulant, UTP, time lapse live cell imaging movies indicated phosphorylated Ser-368 Cx43 separated into discrete domains within gap junctions and was internalized in small vesicles, after which it was degraded by lysosomes and proteasomes. Mutation of Ser-368 to an Ala eliminated the response to PDBu and changes in phosphorylation of the reporter. A phosphatase inhibitor, calyculin A, does not change this pattern, indicating PKC phosphorylation causes degradation of Cx43 without dephosphorylation, which is in accordance with current hypotheses that cells control their intercellular communication by a fast and constant turnover of connexins, using phosphorylation as part of this mechanism.

Colon Tissue Immunoelectron Microscopy

The method described here is intended to study intracellular localization of proteins in colon cells. This protocol was used to localize IRE1β in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. We used anti-IRE1β antibody raised in guinea pig for this purpose. We also studied the location of BiP (also known as GRP78), with the antibody raised in rabbit. Both antibodies used with appropriate gold particle-conjugated secondary antibodies gave good results. Primary mouse antibodies are not recommended because secondary anti-mouse antibodies also react with the internal mouse epitopes.

Multicolor Nanoscopy using a New Class of Low-Power Probes

STED/RESOLFT approaches provide the most promising technology for real-time video nanoscopy. Unfortunately, STED has sometimes been hobbled by two practical problems: large laser powers that (especially in the visible) damage cells and Stokes' shift similarities among dyes that inhibit multicolor imaging. The former occurs because emission must be separated from the powerful STED beam, pushing deactivation into a redder portion of the emission where the cross section is reduced. Our new probes, in contrast, all have very strong cross sections, and they all deactivate at the same NIR wavelength. Hence, we are able to obtain simultaneous superresolved multicolor imaging at the convenient (and less damaging) wavelength of 780nm.We constructed a home-built microscope to test our probes.Our system generates a green excitation pulse with Gaussian profile in space of just 4-8μW and a more powerful “donut” beam at ∼780nm, using several picosecond wide pulses at 80MHz repetition.We achieve resolutions of ∼50nm when coating 20nm aliphatic-amine beads with NHS-ester versions of our dyes. In fixed cells, microtubules coated with a secondary dye-anti mouse antibody bound to a primary mouse antibody specific to α-tubulin demonstrated ∼90nm resolution with only a few mW applied to the donut beam. We also directly labeled microtubules with orange and red versions of our dye; in this case, we achieve ∼100nm resolution with a single depleting beam.These dyes are essentially normal fluorophores modified to contain “quenching antennae” at 780nm. Unlike STED, these antennae are best with many ps to hundreds of ps wide laser pulses; thus, inexpensive ns-pulsed 780nm diodes may be helpful in disseminating the technology. We are currently pursuing alternative antennae and additional dye colors appropriate to in vivo nanoscopy.

Lysosomally cleavable peptide-containing polymersomes modified with anti-EGFR antibody for systemic cancer chemotherapy

Polymersomes (Ps) based on a biodegradable and biocompatible block copolymer of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) and poly( d, l-lactide) (PDLLA) in which apeptide sequence, Gly-Phe-Leu-Gly-Phe (GFLGF), was introduced in between the two blocks(mPEG-pep-PDLLA) were developed. The peptide linker is cleavable by the lysosomal enzymecathepsin B (Cath B). Ps containing the peptide linker (Ps(pep)) with an average diameter of about 124 nm were prepared by injecting a THF solution of the block copolymer into DI water. The Ps had a membrane thickness of about 15 nm as determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In order to investigate the enzymatic degradation of the Ps (pep), dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements of Ps(pep) dispersions with different concentrations of Cath B at pH 5.5 and 7.4 were performed as a function of time. A gradual decrease in kilo counts per second (Kcps) of the Ps (pep) over 7 d was observed after incubation of the Ps (pep) dispersions with 5 units/ml of Cath B at pH 5.5 at 37 °C. The size distribution became also bimodal, indicating that aggregation and precipitation of Ps (pep) occurred by disintegration of the Ps (pep) as a result of cleavage of the peptide. The rate of disintegration of the Ps (pep) was depending on the concentration of Cath Band the pH. No changes by DLS were seen when the dispersions were incubated with the enzyme at pH 7.4. Acridine orange (AO) was encapsulated in Ps (pep)as a model drug and rapid release of AO triggered by Cath B degradation of Ps (pep) was observed at pH 5.5. Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) antibody (abEGFR) was immobilized on the surface of Ps(pep)in order to enhance the cellular uptake of Ps (pep). Fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled dextran (40,000 g/mol) (FD40) was incorporated in the Ps (pep) for the cell study and Ps either without peptide or antibody or without both peptide and antibody were used as negative controls. After 3 d exposure to SKBR3 cells, abEGFR-conjugated Ps (pep) (abEGFR-Ps (pep)) were directly bound to the membrane of the cells and were endocytosed more rapidly as compared to Ps (pep)without abEGFR. Intracellular release of FD40 from Ps (pep) was observed, suggesting that the peptide linker in Ps (pep) was cleaved in the lysosomal compartments of the cells leading to Ps (pep) membrane disruption. An Alexa Fluor ® 488 labeled fragment of anti-mouse IgG (F(ab’) 2A) was also coupled to Ps (pep). Specific binding of the Ps (pep) coupled IgG (F(ab′) 2A) onto SKBR3 cells treated with primary mouse antibody was observed, whereas no binding was found with SKBR3 cells treated with goat antibody.

Abstract 1051: Quantitative assay for simultaneous assessment of phosphorylation and cell migration

Abstract Introduction: Cell migration is a critical process in angiogenesis and inflammation as well as tumor progression and metastasis. The acquisition of the ability to migrate is dependent on the activation of key cell signaling pathways, two of which are modulated by AKT and ERK kinases. Screening assays that can simultaneously quantify cell migration and the activity of the underlying signaling kinases may facilitate more efficient identification of therapeutic compounds. Methods: Oris™ Cell Migration Assay plates (Platypus Technologies, Madison, WI) were seeded with HT1080 cells. The Oris plates contain a stopper, which when removed following 24 h cell growth, creates a defined cell-free region on the plate. After removal of the stoppers, PI3 kinase and MEK inhibitors were added and cells allowed to migrate. After fixing and permeabilization, cell migration was measured by staining with primary mouse antibodies against total ERK2 and histone H3, application of a plate-specific mask that allowed detection of only migratory cells, and quantification by staining with IRDye 680-labeled goat anti-mouse antibodies. Phosphorylation was measured simultaneously by staining with rabbit antibodies against either phospho-AKT or phospho-ERK and detection with IRDye 800CW-labeled goat anti-rabbit antibodies. Fluorescence was detected by scanning with either an Aerius or Odyssey instrument. Results: AKT and ERK phosphorylation were specifically inhibited by their respective drugs. The level of inhibition of phosphorylation correlated with decreased migration in a dose-dependent manner. The robustness of the assay was exemplified by its high signal to noise ratio. Conclusions: Anti-cancer drugs developed by assessment phosphorylation state alone may identify hits that inhibit the target kinase, yet fail to retard functional outcomes such as migration and proliferation. We have designed a quantitative assay that allows for simultaneous assessment of a biochemical characteristic, namely phosphorylation state, and a functional parameter related to metastasis. This quantitative assay may facilitate a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying cell movement and metastasis, and may facilitate a more efficient means of developing anti-cancer drugs. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1051.

Mechanism of Cell Death Caused by Complex I Defects in a Rat Dopaminergic Cell Line

Defects in the proton-translocating NADH-quinone oxidoreductase (complex I) of mammalian mitochondria are linked to neurodegenerative disorders. The mechanism leading to cell death elicited by complex I deficiency remains elusive. We have shown that expression of a rotenone-insensitive yeast NADH-quinone oxidoreductase (Ndi1) can rescue mammalian cells from complex I dysfunction. By using the Ndi1 enzyme, we have investigated the key events in the process of cell death using a rat dopaminergic cell line, PC12. We found that complex I inhibition provokes the following events: 1) activation of specific kinase pathways; 2) release of mitochondrial proapoptotic factors, apoptosis inducing factor, and endonuclease G. AS601245, a kinase inhibitor, exhibited significant protection against these apoptotic events. The traditional caspase pathway does not seems to be involved because caspase 3 activation was not observed. Our data suggest that overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused by complex I inhibition is responsible for triggering the kinase activation, for the release of the proapoptotic factors, and then for cell death. Nearly perfect prevention of apoptotic cell death by Ndi1 agrees with our earlier observation that the presence of Ndi1 diminishes rotenone-induced ROS generation from complex I. In fact, this study demonstrated that Ndi1 keeps the redox potential high even in the presence of rotenone. Under these conditions, ROS formation by complex I is known to be minimal. Possible use of our cellular model is discussed with regard to development of therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases caused by complex I defects.

Role of Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I and Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Receptors in High Density Lipoprotein-induced Inhibition of Adhesion Molecule Expression in Endothelial Cells

We characterized the molecular mechanisms by which high density lipoprotein (HDL) inhibits the expression of adhesion molecules, including vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1, induced by sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha in endothelial cells. HDL inhibited S1P-induced nuclear factor kappaB activation and adhesion molecule expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The inhibitory HDL actions were associated with nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) activation and were reversed by inhibitors for phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and NOS. The HDL-induced inhibitory actions were also attenuated by the down-regulation of scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) and its associated protein PDZK1. When TNFalpha was used as a stimulant, the HDL-induced NOS activation and the inhibitory action on adhesion molecule expression were, in part, attenuated by the down-regulation of the expression of S1P receptors, especially S1P(1), in addition to SR-BI. Reconstituted HDL composed mainly of apolipoprotein A-I and phosphatidylcholine mimicked the SR-BI-sensitive part of HDL-induced actions. Down-regulation of S1P(3) receptors severely suppressed the stimulatory actions of S1P. Although G(i/o) proteins may play roles in either stimulatory or inhibitory S1P actions, as judged from pertussis toxin sensitivity, the coupling of S1P(3) receptors to G(12/13) proteins may be critical to distinguish the stimulatory pathways from the inhibitory ones. In conclusion, even though S1P alone stimulates adhesion molecule expression, HDL overcomes S1P(3) receptor-mediated stimulatory actions through SR-BI/PDZK1-mediated signaling pathways involving phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and NOS. In addition, the S1P component of HDL plays a role in the inhibition of TNFalpha-induced actions through S1P receptors, especially S1P(1).

ADP-Ribosylation Factor-Like 3 Is Involved in Kidney and Photoreceptor Development

ADP-ribosylation factor-like 3 (Arl3) is a member of a small subfamily of G-proteins involved in membrane-associated vesicular and intracellular trafficking processes. Genetic studies in Leishmania have shown that the Arl3 homolog is essential for flagellum biogenesis. Mutations in a related human family member, Arl6, result in Bardet-Biedl syndrome in humans, which is characterized by genital, renal, and retinal abnormalities, obesity, and learning deficits. As part of our large-scale phenotypic screen, mice deficient for the Arl3 gene were generated and analyzed. Arl3 (-/-) mice were born at a sub-Mendelian ratio, were small and sickly, and had markedly swollen abdomens. These mutants failed to thrive, and all died by 3 weeks of age. The (-/-) mice exhibited abnormal development of renal, hepatic, and pancreatic epithelial tubule structures, which is characteristic of the renal-hepatic-pancreatic dysplasia found in autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease. Absence of Arl3 was associated with abnormal epithelial cell proliferation and cyst formation. Moreover, mice lacking Arl3 exhibited photoreceptor degeneration as early as postnatal day 14. These results are the first to implicate Arl3 in a ciliary disease affecting the kidney, biliary tract, pancreas, and retina.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Antagonist Modulates Leukocyte Trafficking and Protects Mouse Livers against Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Although hypoxia stimulates the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), little is known of the role or mechanism by which VEGF functions after ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury. In this report, we first evaluated the expression of VEGF in a mouse model of liver warm ischemia. We found that the expression of VEGF increased after ischemia but peaked between 2 and 6 hours after reperfusion. Mice were treated with a neutralizing anti-mouse VEGF antiserum (anti-VEGF) or control serum daily from day -1 (1 day before the initiation of ischemia). Treatment with anti-VEGF significantly reduced serum glutaminic pyruvic transaminase levels and reduced histological evidence of hepatocellular damage compared with controls. Anti-VEGF also markedly decreased T-cell, macrophage, and neutrophil accumulation within livers and reduced the frequency of intrahepatic apoptotic terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling-positive cells. Moreover, there was a reduction in the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma), chemokines (interferon-inducible protein-10 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) and adhesion molecules (E-selectin) in parallel with enhanced expression of anti-apoptotic genes (Bcl-2/Bcl-xl and heme oxygenase-1) in anti-VEGF-treated animals. In conclusion, hypoxia-inducible VEGF expression by hepatocytes modulates leukocyte trafficking and leukocyte-induced injury in a mouse liver model of warm I/R injury, demonstrating the importance of endogenous VEGF production in the pathophysiology of hepatic I/R injury.

Deletion of Bid Impedes Cell Proliferation and Hepatic Carcinogenesis

Mechanisms that control the proliferation capability of the initiated cells during hepatocarcinogenesis are still largely unclear. We investigated the role of a pro-death Bcl-2 family protein, Bid, in liver tumor development using a neonatal diethylnitrosamine model. Diethylnitrosamine was administrated to 15-day-old wild-type and bid-null mice. The development of microfoci at the early stage and of gross tumors at the later stage was compared between the two groups of mice. Both microfoci and gross tumor development were significantly retarded in the bid-null mice, despite reduced cell death as measured by TUNEL staining. Further studies indicated that there were significantly less proliferating cells in diethylnitrosamine-treated bid-null livers. The regulation of cell proliferation by Bid was confirmed in two other systems not involving carcinogenesis. Hepatocyte proliferation following partial hepatectomy and T lymphocyte proliferation following anti-CD3 stimulation were both retarded in bid-null mice. Thus, these studies revealed a previously undisclosed function of Bid in regulating cell proliferation, which can be important to tumor development. Furthermore, the role of Bid in promoting hepatocarcinogenesis is in contrast to its reported role in suppressing myeloid leukemia and thus suggests an organ- and/or etiology-specific role of the Bcl-2 family proteins in regulating oncogenesis.

A capillary electrophoretic method for monitoring the presence of α-tubulin in nuclear preparations

A sensitive capillary electrophoretic method was developed to detect the presence of α-tubulin, a microtubular cytoskeletal component, in isolated nuclear preparations. These preparations are treated with anti-α-tubulin primary mouse antibodies and then stained with a fluorescently labeled anti-mouse IgG antibody. The stained preparation is then analyzed by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection, a technique that allows for sensitive detection of fluorescently labeled species. Using this method, it is feasible to count individual subcellular aggregates containing α-tubulin (SATs), estimate the number of α-tubulin molecules per SAT, determine the cumulative intensity of all SATs as an estimate of the relative level of α-tubulin in a preparation, and obtain their apparent electrophoretic mobility distribution. The method was validated by comparing SATs from untreated cells with those from colchicine-treated cells. Since colchicine is a microtubule-disrupting agent, treatment reduced the number of SATs per cell as well as the cumulative intensity of all SATs in a preparation. In contrast, the apparent electrophoretic mobility distribution was not influenced by colchicine treatment, suggesting that this parameter is not strongly dependent on the α-tubulin content. Given the zeptomolar sensitivity of laser-induced fluorescence detection and the widespread availability of antibodies, the approach used here represents an improvement in the detection of cytoskeletal impurities in subcellular fractions.

Transcriptional Regulation of Heme Oxygenase-1 Gene Expression by MAP Kinases of the JNK and p38 Pathways in Primary Cultures of Rat Hepatocytes

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene expression is induced by various oxidative stress stimuli including sodium arsenite. Since mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are involved in stress signaling we investigated the role of arsenite and MAPKs for HO-1 gene regulation in primary rat hepatocytes. The Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor SP600125 decreased sodium arsenite-mediated induction of HO-1 mRNA expression. HO-1 protein and luciferase activity of reporter gene constructs with -754 bp of the HO-1 promoter were induced by overexpression of kinases of the JNK pathway and MKK3. By contrast, overexpression of Raf-1 and ERK2 did not affect expression whereas overexpression of p38alpha, beta, and delta decreased and p38gamma increased HO-1 expression. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) revealed that a CRE/AP-1 element (-668/-654) bound c-Jun, a target of the JNK pathway. Deletion or mutation of the CRE/AP-1 obliterated the JNK- and c-Jun-dependent up-regulation of luciferase activity. EMSA also showed that an E-box (-47/-42) was bound by a putative p38 target c-Max. Mutation of the E-box strongly reduced MKK3, p38 isoform-, and c-Max-dependent effects on luciferase activity. Thus, the HO-1 CRE/AP-1 element mediates HO-1 gene induction via activation of JNK/c-Jun whereas p38 isoforms act through a different mechanism via the E-box.

Immobilization of proteins in immunochemical microarrays fabricated by electrospray deposition.

Electrospray (ES) deposition has been applied to fabricate protein microarrays for immunochemical assay. Protein antigens were deposited as arrays of dry spots on a surface of aluminized plastic. Deposition was performed from water solutions containing a 10-fold (w/w of dry protein) excess of sucrose. Upon contact with humid air, the spots turn into microdroplets of sucrose/protein solution from which proteins were either adsorbed or covalently linked to clean or modified aluminum surfaces. It was found that covalent binding of antigens via aldehyde groups of oxidized branched dextran followed by reduction of the Schiff bonds gives the highest sensitivity and the lowest background in microarray-based ELISA, as compared to other tested methods of antigen immobilization. The minimum concentration of a primary mouse antibody detected in indirect ELISA with such antigen microarrays was approximately 0.3-1.0 ng/mL for ELF-97 or BCIP/NBT substrates of alkaline phosphatase.

The use of enhanced polymer one-step staining reagents for immunoenzyme double-labelling

The newly developed peroxidase-labelled Enhanced Polymer One-Step (EPOS) reagents were applied, together with an unlabelled primary mouse antibody, in a multistep double-labelling protocol. Enzyme label reporter combinations consisted of either peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase in red and blue, respectively, or beta-galactosidase and alkaline phosphatase in turquoise and red, respectively. The latter enzyme combination was introduced using a rabbit antiperoxidase antibody and an enzyme-labelled anti-rabbit immunoglobulin antibody. The multistep procedure was tested using five different antibody combinations on cryostat and Carnoy- or formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections. In each instance, clear and distinct labelling was obtained, either with the two antigens at separate sites, or with an overlap in distribution. In the latter situation, the sites of co-localization were marked by mixed colours, which were distinct and readily discriminated from the two basic colours.

Internalization of an intact doxorubicin immunoconjugate.

An immunoconjugate between doxorubicin and anti-(carcinoembryonic antigen) (CEA) was prepared by using aminodextran (M(r) = 40,000) as the intermediate carrier, and the carbohydrate moiety of the antibody as the linking site. The resulting immunoconjugate was subjected to an in vitro evaluation for the internalization on the target cells (Lo Vo), and compared to that of unconjugated antibody, as well as the cellular uptake of unconjugated doxorubicin. The internalization was evaluated microscopically by following the translocation of the red fluorescence of doxorubicin and the green fluorescence of the fluorescein-isothiocyanate-labeled goat anti-(mouse Ig) antibody, which visualizes the location of the primary mouse antibody. Anti-CEA monoclonal antibody (NP-4) was found to internalize into Lo Vo cells. The immunoconjugate made with this antibody was similarly internalized, and the doxorubicin was found to distribute with the primary antibody. The cell surface and cytoplasm were the major compartments of their distribution. These results indicate that the drug molecules were indeed delivered into the cells by the antibody as an intact conjugate. Unconjugated doxorubicin, on the contrary, was quickly absorbed by the cells and concentrated in the nucleus within 30 min, and never showed a distribution in the cytoplasm or cell membrane as in the nucleus by this procedure. The intermediate drug conjugate, doxorubicin-dextran, did not show internalization. The internalization of NP-4 antibody (or the doxorubicin conjugate) was also confirmed by studying the intracellular catabolism of the cell-bound antibody (or conjugate). The release of the degraded antibody by the cells, as differentiated by trichloroacetic acid precipitation techniques, was considered an indication of internalization. Lysosomes were involved in the degradation, since the process was markedly inhibited in the presence of the lysosomal enzyme inhibitor, ammonium chloride.