Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E M Zhou

Publications and source records attributed to E M Zhou.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Development and evaluation of an IgM-capture ELISA for detection of recent infection with bluetongue viruses in cattle.

An IgM-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of recent infection of bluetongue virus (BTV) in cattle. The test is based on the use of biotinylated capture anti-bovine IgM antibodies bound to a streptavidin-coated ELISA plate. The captured IgM antibodies were detected by application of BTV VP7 antigen and a VP7 antigen-specific monoclonal antibody. The IgM-capture ELISA was compared with the competitive ELISA by testing serum samples from groups of calves infected experimentally with five USA and 19 South Africa serotypes of BTV. The IgM-capture ELISA was able to detect bovine anti-VP7 antibodies from all animals infected with the 24 BTV serotypes at 10 days post-infection, whereas the competitive ELISA was not. When the detectable IgM diminished after 40 days post-infection by the IgM-capture ELISA, the IgG anti-VP7 antibodies remained high. The IgM-capture ELISA is sensitive and can be applied for the detection of recent infection of BTV in cattle.

Animals↗

Development of a competitive ELISA using a truncated E2 recombinant protein as antigen for detection of antibodies to classical swine fever virus.

The sequence encoding a truncated E2 glycoprotein of the Alfort/187 strain of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) was expressed in Escherichia coli using the pET expression system and the recombinant product purified by Ni-NTA agarose affinity chromatography. The antigenicity of this recombinant protein was demonstrated by immunoblot using anti- CSFV-specific antibodies. A monoclonal antibody was produced against the truncated E2 protein and used as competitor in an ELISA for the detection of antibodies to CSFV. Specific antibodies were demonstrated by competitive ELISA (C-ELISA) as early as 21 days post-infection (dpi) in experimentally infected pigs. Seroconversion was demonstrated by C-ELISA and neutralising peroxidase-linked assay (NPLA) in all infected animals by 4 weeks. No cross-reaction with antibodies to bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) was seen in the C-ELISA using sera from experimentally infected pigs. The C-ELISA is not intended as a substitute for the NPLA. However, it is expected it will be useful for monitoring and prevalence studies. It will also assist in testing a large number of samples in the event of an outbreak.

Animals↗

Incursion of bluetongue virus into the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia.

Bluetongue virus was isolated from a sentinel herd in British Columbia. Virus isolation was by intravenous inoculation of embryonated chicken eggs and subculture in BHK-21 cells. The cytopathic agent was identified as bluetongue virus by electron microscopy and the immunoperoxidase test. The serotype was identified as serotype 11 by virus neutralization.

Animals↗

Anti-idiotype technique: an alternative approach for immunodiagnosis of bluetongue.

In development of a bluetongue alternative immunodiagnostic rest, the polyclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies were generated by the sequential immunization of rabbits with three monoclonal antibodies to VP7 of bluetongue virus. The anti-idiotypic antibodies recognize the idiotypes that are located within or near the antigen-combining sites and are associated with both heavy and light chains of the antibodies to VP7 of bluetongue virus. The anti-idiotypic antibodies mimic the VP7 antigen by recognizing the anti-VP7 antibodies from cattle and sheep that were infected with various serotypes of bluetongue viruses. The results indicate that the rabbit anti-idiotypic antibodies may be used as surrogate antigen in serological assays to detect the antibodies from different species of animals infected with various serotypes of bluetongue viruses.

Animals↗

Developments in international standardization.

Trade in animals and animal products has reached global proportions and so too has the threat of infectious diseases of veterinary importance. The Manual of Standards for Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines, published by the Office International des Epizooties (OIE), contains chapters on infectious diseases that may cause various degrees of socio-economic, public health, and/or zoo-sanitary consequence. These chapters cover the major diseases of cattle, sheep, goats, horses, pigs, poultry, lagomorphs and bees. A number of factors are considered when qualifying animals and animal products for international trade including epidemiological, clinical and testing parameters. Of particular note and relevance is a strong international movement to standardize the test methods and reference reagents in order to promote harmonization of testing and facilitation of trade. There is message here that is directed to those of us involved in the development and application of test methods for infectious disease diagnosis. Serological test methods have been and still remain the mainstay of diagnostic methods prescribed for trade. More than ever, there is a need to observe and apply international guidelines for the development and validation of serological test methods. There is also a need to develop international standard reagents for use in the calibration of test methods and the production of national and working standards. In the future, veterinary diagnostic testing laboratories involved in trade may also require a form of international accreditation unique to their specialty. This presentation describes the current developments in international standardization of test methods and reference reagents.

Animal Diseases↗

Development and evaluation of a novel antigen capture assay for the detection of classical swine fever virus antigens.

An antigen-capture enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was developed to detect classical swine fever virus (CSFV) antigen directly from 10% w/v tissue suspension. The assay, based on the sandwich principle, uses a biotinylated monoclonal antibody bound to streptavidin-coated microplates as the capture system and a swine anti-CSFV antibody and rabbit anti-swine HRPO-conjugate as the detector system. The antigen-capture EIA was compared with conventional virus isolation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of CSFV in tissues. The ability of the antigen-capture EIA to discriminate classical swine fever (CSF) from bovine viral diarrhea and African swine fever viruses was also tested. The assay was shown to detect 21 different strains of CSFV and was unreactive with tissues from uninfected animals. Signal to noise (S/N) ratios were calculated from the EIA absorbance values. Readings from samples positive by virus isolation (n = 47) averaged a S/N ratio of 5.34. In contrast, samples negative by virus isolation (n = 96) demonstrated a mean S/N ratio of 0.16. At S/N cut-off value of 1.0, all samples that yield virus isolation and PCR negative result were negative in the antigen-capture EIA. Compared with virus propagation in tissue culture using PK15 cells (followed by indirect peroxidase assay detection) and PCR, the EIA had a specificity of 98.7% and a sensitivity of 91.4%. The EIA is simple, can be performed in 4 h and lends itself to automation for screening of tissues sample from pigs suspected of CSFV infection.

African Swine Fever↗

VP7: an attachment protein of bluetongue virus for cellular receptors in Culicoides variipennis.

The importance of VP7 of bluetongue virus (BTV) in the binding of BTV to membrane proteins of the BTV vector Culicoides variipennis was investigated. Core BTV particles, prepared from whole viruses, lacked outer proteins VP2 and VP5 and had VP7 exposed. More core particles and whole viruses bound to membrane preparations of adults of C. variipennis and KC cells, which were cultured from this vector insect, than to membrane preparations of Manduca sexta larvae. More core particles than whole viruses bound to membrane preparations of adults of C. variipennis and KC cells. Polyclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-Id), which were made against an antigen-combining region of an anti-BTV-10 VP7 antibody and functionally mimicked VP7, bound more to the membrane preparations of adults of C. variipennis and KC cells, and less to cytosol preparations. In Western overalay analysis, the Culicoides plasma membrane preparation reduced binding of an anti-VP7 monoclonal antibody to VP7. Whole and core BTV particles and the anti-Id bound to a membrane protein with a molecular mass of 23 kDa that was present predominantly in membrane preparations of adults of C. variipennis and KC cells. This protein was present in much lower concentrations in membrane preparations of C6/36 and DM-2 insect cells.

Animals↗

Production of a baculovirus-derived gp50 protein and utilization in a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the serodiagnosis of pseudorabies virus.

The pseudorabies virus (PRV) gp50 envelope glycoprotein gene was cloned and expressed in a recombinant baculovirus. An anti-gp50 Mab (1842) recognized a protein of approximately 40 kDa in immunoblotting assays from infected insect cell lysates, while this product was not present in cells infected with wild-type baculovirus. The recombinant protein was purified by lectin affinity chromatography, utilizing lectins specific for O-linked oligosaccharides (Artocarpus integrifolia and Glycine max). Competitive (c) ELISAs, using either crude or lectin-purified antigen, were devised for the detection of antibodies to PRV in sera, and were capable of monitoring sero-conversion by day 14 post-infection. Furthermore, a specificity of 100% and sensitivity of 98% (crude lysate antigen) or 96% (lectin-purified antigen) was found for a panel of 80 swine sera, using the cELISA, as compared to a serum neutralization (SN) test. These studies demonstrated that recombinant PRV gp50 protein shows promise as a cELISA antigen, for serodetection of PRV.

Animals↗

Induction of antibodies to the bluetongue virus core polypeptide VP7 in sheep by internal image rabbit antiidiotypic antibodies.

We previously generated rabbit polyclonal antiidiotypic antibody (anti-Id) to a murine monoclonal antibody (M1875) specific for the bluetongue virus core protein VP7, and demonstrated that this anti-Id (designated RAb2-A) had the characteristics of an internal image anti-Id (Ab2 beta). In this communication, RAb2-A was used to induce immune responses in sheep and the responses were compared to immunization with VP7. The immune sera were tested for the presence of anti-VP7 antibodies and the expression of the Id of M1875. Animals immunized with RAb2-A were able to produce M1875-like antibody responses, i.e., they recognized the same or a similar epitope as M1875 and possessed the M1875 Id, without subsequent exposure to the original antigen. This was demonstrated by showing that antibodies induced by RAb2-A (i) reacted specifically with the immunizing anti-Id, (ii) were capable of binding VP7, (iii) inhibited M1875 from binding to VP7, and (iv) inhibited M1875 from binding to RAb2-A. Animals immunized with purified VP7 produced antibodies that possessed the epitope and idiotope specificity of M1875. No antibody responses to VP7 were detected in control animals immunized with either rabbit anti-Id to the pseudorabies virus glycoprotein gII or BHK-21 cell proteins. We conclude that rabbit anti-Id RAb2-A serologically mimics an M1875-defined VP7 epitope sufficiently to function as a surrogate antigen for inducing anti-bluetongue virus VP7 responses.

Animals↗

Biological mimicry of the bluetongue virus core protein VP7 by rabbit anti-idiotype.

A subpopulation of rabbit polyclonal anti-idiotypic antibody (anti-Id) was previously produced to a murine monoclonal antibody (mAb) (M1875) specific for the bluetongue virus core protein VP7. In this report, mimicry of VP7 by this anti-Id (designated RAb2-A) was functionally analyzed through immunization of Balb/c mice with RAb2-A or purified VP7. Animals immunized with RAb2-A were able to produce an M1875-like Ab3 antibody response with idiotype and epitope specificity resembling that of M1875 without subsequent exposure to the nominal antigen. This conclusion was supported by experiments showing that the RAb2-A-induced Ab3 antibodies (i) reacted specifically with the immunizing anti-Id; (ii) were capable of binding VP7; (iii) inhibited M1875 from binding to VP7; and (iv) inhibited M1875 from binding to RAb2-A. Similarly, mice immunized with purified VP7 also produced antibodies that exhibited characteristics such as idiotype and epitope specificity in common with M1875. No antibody response to VP7 was detected in control groups of mice immunized with either normal rabbit IgG or BHK-21 cell components. Therefore, it can be concluded that rabbit anti-Id RAb-2-A mimics an M1875-defined VP7 epitope sufficiently to function as a surrogate antigen for inducing an anti-bluetongue virus response.

Animals↗

Evidence that two distinct populations of rabbit anti-idiotypic antibodies are induced by three monoclonal antibodies specific for bluetongue virus core protein VP7.

Three groups of anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-Id or Ab2), designated RAb2-A, RAb2-B1, and RAb2-B2, were isolated from rabbit antiserum raised against three monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) (M1875, M1877, and M1886) specific for the bluetongue virus core protein, VP7. RAb2-A was specific for the idiotype of M1875. RAb2-B1 and RAb2-B2, isolated through the M1877 and M1886 affinity columns, respectively, were directed against the common idiotype that is shared by M1877 and M1886 and therefore classified in the same population (RAb2-B). Further characterization revealed that the two anti-Id populations, RAb2-A and RAb2-B, were significantly different. RAb2-A was an Ab2 beta type of anti-Id since (i) its reaction with M1875 was inhibited by the antigen; (ii) it inhibited the M1875-VP7 interaction; and (iii) it elicited anti-VP7 antibody response in Balb/c mice. In contrast, RAb2-B may represent an Ab2 alpha type of anti-Id since its reactions with M1877 or M1886 were not inhibited by the antigen, even though it inhibited mAbs from binding to the antigen. These results indicated that RAb2-A and RAb2-B represent two distinct populations of anti-Ids to anti-VP7 mAbs with similar epitope specificity.

Animals↗

Antibody responses to allergen Lol pIV are suppressed following adoptive transfer of B lymphocytes from the internal image anti-idiotypic antibody-treated mice.

An internal image anti-idiotypic antibody, designated B1/1, was generated against an idiotope (Id91) of the monoclonal antibody (mAb91) specific for Lol pIV. The administration of B1/1 in PBS, at doses ranging from 100 ng to 100 micrograms/mouse, to syngeneic Balb/c mice resulted in the suppression of the formation of anti-Lol pIV antibodies that possessed the Id91. Spleen cells obtained from the mice 2 weeks after the treatment with B1/1 (25 micrograms/mouse) were adoptively transferred intravenously into the syngeneic recipients which were challenged intraperitoneally with Lol pIV in alum 2 hr after the transfer. The recipients were boosted with Lol pIV 14 days later. It was demonstrated that the transfer of splenic B cells (but not of T cells) from B1/1-treated donors induced a significant suppression of not only the level of IgE and IgG antibodies to Lol pIV, but also the level of antibodies possessing the Id91. Treatment of the B cells with mAb91 plus complement abrogated their ability to transfer the suppression. This study indicates that the treatment with the anti-Id B1/1 generated B cells that were characterized, serologically, as possessing the anti-Id-like antibodies on their surface and were responsible for transferring the suppression of the formation of antibodies to allergen Lol pIV and the expression of Id91.

Allergens↗

Comparison of Freund's adjuvant and TiterMax in inducing anti-idiotype to idiotypic antibodies against pseudorabies virus antigens.

Freund's adjuvant (FA) and TiterMax (TM) were compared for their effectiveness in the induction of the anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-Id or Ab2) in pigs, goats and mice against swine polyclonal anti-pseudorabies virus (PRV) antibodies (Ab1) by sequential immunization procedures. Both adjuvants had similar effects on inducing anti-swine immunoglobulin antibodies in the animals. However, high levels of the anti-Id were only generated in animals that received FA. Serological characterization of the anti-Id antisera indicated that internal image anti-Id (Ab2 beta) was generated that recognized shared idiotype (IdX) on the antibodies to PRV. The internal image Ab2 was capable of blocking the anti-PRV antibodies from binding to the PRV antigens, and their interaction with anti-PRV antibodies could be inhibited by PRV antigens.

Animals↗

Internal image rabbit anti-idiotypic antibody detects sheep antibodies to the bluetongue virus core protein VP7.

BACKGROUND: Rabbit polyclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-Id) were generated against three murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for the group-specific antigen VP7 of bluetongue virus (BTV) by the sequential immunization method. It was demonstrated by serological tests that part of the anti-Id possesses the characteristics of internal image anti-Id. By affinity purification against the individual MAbs, the internal image anti-Id, designated RAb2-A, was isolated and identified as specific for the MAb, M1875. OBJECTIVES: To examine the ability of RAb2-A to detect sheep anti-VP7 antibodies by recognition of the common idiotype (Idx). STUDY DESIGN: Affinity-purified RAb2-A IgG, along with VP7, was applied on the solid-phase of ELISA plate and the membrane for Western blot analysis to detect anti-VP7 antibodies from sheep that were immunized with VP7 or were experimentally infected with BTV. An inhibition ELISA was employed to determine whether sheep anti-VP7 and M1875 recognize the same or similar epitope(s). RESULTS: RAb2-A recognised the Idx on anti-VP7 antibodies from sheep that were either immunized with VP7 or experimentally infected with BTV. Specificity of the reaction was confirmed by the observation that RAb2-A did not react with normal sheep serum or sheep antibodies against epizootic haemorrhagic disease of deer virus, a bluetongue-related disease virus in the Orbivirus genus. CONCLUSION: The ability of RAb2-A to detect anti-VP7 antibodies through recognition of the Idx suggests that RAb2-A can be used as a probe to detect anti-BTV antibodies.

Animals↗

Anti-idiotypic antibody as potential serodiagnostic reagent for detection of bluetongue virus infection.

Polyclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-Ids) were generated by the sequential immunization of rabbits with three mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAb1s) specific for a major bluetongue virus (BTV) protein, VP7. The anti-Ids, designated RAb2s, recognized idiotopes which were located within or near the antigen-combining sites of the MAb1s and were associated with both heavy and light chains of MAb1s. RAb2s inhibited the MAb1s from binding to BTV antigens, and their interaction with MAb1s was inhibited by BTV antigens. By recognizing the common idiotopes, RAb2s detected anti-BTV antibodies from bovine antisera; their interaction was also partially inhibited by BTV antigens. These results indicated that RAb2s recognized the common idiotopes on anti-VP7 antibodies obtained from mice and cattle and that at least a portion of RAb2s were internal-image anti-Ids that functionally mimicked VP7. RAb2s may be used to substitute for the tissue culture-derived viral antigen in currently used serological assays for the detection of antibodies to BTV.

Animals↗

Regulation of levels of serum antibodies to ryegrass pollen allergen Lol pIV by an internal image anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody.

A murine monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibody (anti-Id), designated B1/1, was produced against an idiotope of a murine antibody (mAb91), which recognizes the epitope, site A, of allergen Lol pIV, one of the major groups of allergens in ryegrass (Lolium perenne) pollen. The ability of B1/1 to modulate the antibody responses to Lol pIV was investigated in murine model systems. In the first system, B1/1-keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) conjugate was administered to treat three different strains of mice (C57BL/6, BALB/c and C3H). In the second and third model systems, a solution of B1/1 in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was used to treat syngeneic BALB/c mice at various doses and time intervals, respectively. The treatment with either form of B1/1, administered at doses ranging from 100 ng to 100 micrograms mouse, resulted in a reduction of the levels of the antibodies to Lol pIV. In particular, the level of IgE antibodies to Lol pIV was greatly reduced. The administration of a single intravenous (i.v.) injection of a solution of B1/1 8 weeks prior to the challenge with Lol pIV was still effective in reducing the level of antibodies to the allergen. Moreover, the level of antibodies to Lol pIV that expressed the idiotope mAb91 was also markedly decreased. By contrast, it was observed that the level of antibodies to Lol pIV in mice pretreated with B1/1 in PBS at a dose of 10 ng/mouse increased (albeit slightly) compared to that in mice treated with control mAb. These experimental models lend themselves for investigating the mechanism(s) by which an anti-Id modulates antibody responses to a grass pollen allergen.

Allergens↗

Anti-idiotypic antibodies generated by sequential immunization detect the shared idiotype on antibodies to pseudorabies virus antigens.

Anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-Id or Ab2) were generated in Balb/c mice against either mouse monoclonal or swine polyclonal antibodies (Ab1) to pseudorabies virus (PRV) antigens by conventional and sequential immunization methods. In the conventional method, one antibody preparation was repeatedly injected into the animals, whereas three anti-PRV antibody preparations were used alternately for the sequential immunization procedure. Anti-Ids were serologically characterized for possession of the Ab2s that detect shared idiotype (IdX) on antibodies to PRV antigens. Only the Ab2s that were generated by the sequential immunization method recognized the IdX present on murine and swine antibodies to PRV. The sequential immunization method described herein was anticipated to be helpful for generating virus specific Ab2s as candidates for serodiagnostic reagents or vaccines.

Animals↗