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Biomedical subjects

M Malmqvist

Publications and source records attributed to M Malmqvist.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Immobilization of immunoglobulins on silica surfaces. Stability.

The development of new immunosensors based on surface-concentration-measuring devices requires a stable and reproducible immobilization of antibodies on well-characterized solid surfaces. We here report on the immobilization of immunoglobulin G (IgG) on chemically modified silica surfaces. Such surfaces may be used in various surface-oriented analytical methods. Reactive groups were introduced to the silica surfaces by chemical-vapour deposition of silane. The surfaces were characterized by ellipsometry, contact-angle measurements and scanning electron microscopy. IgG covalently bound by the use of thiol-disulphide exchange reactions, thereby controlling the maximum number of covalent bonds to the surface, was compared with IgG adsorbed on various silica surfaces. This comparison showed that the covalently bound IgG has a superior stability when the pH was lowered or incubation with detergents, urea or ethylene glycol was carried out. The result was evaluated by ellipsometry, an optical technique that renders possible the quantification of amounts of immobilized IgG. The results outline the possibilities of obtaining a controlled covalent binding of biomolecules to solid surfaces with an optimal stability and biological activity of the immobilized molecules.

Cross-Linking Reagents↗

Immobilization of immunoglobulins on silica surfaces. Kinetics of immobilization and influence of ionic strength.

The kinetics of, and the influence of ionic strength on, the immobilization of rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG) on different types of well-characterized silica surfaces were investigated. Adsorptive immobilization was compared with covalent attachment via thiol-disulphide exchange reactions. The amount of immobilized IgG on five different types of silica surfaces as a function of IgG concentration, at two different ionic strengths, was determined. The IgG-solid-surface interaction involved different types of interaction forces, depending on the surface chemistry of the solid surface. The solid-surface chemistry is an important parameter determining the immobilized amount of IgG. When conditions for covalent attachment of IgG to the surfaces were fulfilled, the IgG showed high affinity and the immobilized amount of IgG showed a fast saturation. Changes in ionic strength showed no significant influence on the kinetics of immobilization on these surfaces. The amount of covalently attached IgG was partially ionic-strength-dependent, indicating that adsorptive interactions were involved. The results are of fundamental interest for the development of new immunosensors based on surface-concentration-measuring devices.

Adsorption↗

Penetration of substances into tumor tissue--a methodological study on cellular spheroids.

The penetration of [3H]thymidine, [3H]D-leucine, [125I]albumin, and the drugs [3H]5-fluorouracil and [3H]vinblastine into human glioma spheroids (in vitro tumor models) was studied by a method based on rapid freezing, freeze drying, vapor fixation, wax embedding, dry sectioning, and contact autoradiography. No significant disturbances in the distribution of water soluble substances were observed. Thymidine and D-leucine penetrated the whole spheroids relatively fast, whereas albumin showed reduced penetration. The concentration of albumin was highest at the periphery of the spheroids, but only smaller amounts were detected in the deeper regions. A significant difference between the penetration patterns of the drugs studied was also observed. Fluorouracil penetrated rather freely, but the penetration of vinblastine was limited.

Albumins↗

Enzymatic hydrolysis of immobilized sphingomyelin by three bacterial phospholipases C.

Through hydrophobic interaction, sphingomyelin was adsorbed to agarose beads containing octyl groups by a stepwise dilution procedure. This immobilized lipid was used as a substrate for three bacterial phospholipases C (E.C. 3.1.4.3.). The degradation with time of this substrate showed two different fractions of the substrate according to hydrolysing velocity in the early part of the time-curve when phospholipases C from Bacillus cereus and Clostridium perfringens were used. The early fractions could be predigested by the enzymes, a procedure which resulted in linear time-curves. The corresponding early part of the time-curve for phospholipase C from Staphylococcus aureus was linear, indicating a comparatively large early fraction of the substrate for this enzyme. The stock gel of the immobilized lipid substrate could be stored for months. It was easily and reproducibly handled as a water suspension. After enzymatic hydrolysis the substrate was rapidly separated from enzyme and product by filtration. The enzyme assay presented thus represents a convenient way to avoid the difficulties connected with the use of temporary sonicated suspensions as substrate for bacterial phospholipases C.

Bacillus cereus↗

Purification and characterization of two different agarose-degrading enzymes.

Agarase was concentrated and purified from culture filtrates of an agar-degrading Pseudomonas-like bacteria by affinity chromatography on divinyl sulphone cross-linked Sepharose 4B. By fractionation on Sephadex G-200 three fractions were obtained two of which, agarases I and II, had agarase activity. Agarase II was further purified by isoelectric focusing, and the main peak, agarase IIb, was isoelectric at pH 5.1. Molecular weight determinations indicated agarase I to be a dimer with Mr approximately 210 000. The Mr of agarase IIb was 63 000 as determined by analytical ultra-centrifugation, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulphate and molecular sieve chromatography on Sepharose 4B in 6M Gdn-HCl. The amino acid compositions of the two proteins were very similar and both were found to be glycoproteins. The pH optimum of the enzymes was 6.7 and the optimal temperature was 38 degree C for agarase I and 43 degree C for agarase IIb. Melted agarose and agarose gel were used as substrates for the enzymes. The ratio of the activities towards the different substrates was 4.3 for agarase I and 1.0 for agarase IIb. Agarase I hydrolyzed the beta-linkages in neoagarooctaose so as to produce two moles of neoagarotetraose or one mole of neoagarohexaose and one mole of neoagarobiose. Agarase IIb hydrolyzed only the central beta-linkage to form two moles of neoagarotetraose.

Amino Acids↗

Effects of bacterial agarase on agarose gel in cell culture.

Bacterial agarase, concentrated and purified from culture filtrate of agar-degrading bacteria, has been used to clean cells cultured in soft agarose from gel residues. The enzyme also has been used to liquefy the gel directly in the dishes to facilitate the removal of cells. The sufaces of glioma cells from agarase-treated colonies could not be distinguished in the scanning electron microscope from surfaces of cells which had never been in contact with agarose or agarase. This implies that most agarose residues had been removed, and also that the treatment did not seriously alter the cell surfaces. The influence of the agarase treatment also was tested by comparison of the mitotic index and the incorporation of [3H]thymidine in agarase-treated and untreated cells. No effects of the treatment could be seen in these tests.

Bacteria↗

Degradation of agar by a gram-negative bacterium.

An agar-degrading bacterium, having a guanine-cytosine content of 50-5 mol% has been isolated from sewage. This Gram-negative rod grew well in a simple salts medium containing various carbohydrates. Growing bacteria dissolved gels and suspensions of agar and agarose rapidly, but did not attack cross-linked agars. Agarase was cell-bound in exponentially growing cultures but was released into the medium at stationary phase. Both cell extracts and culture filtrates released reducing sugars from agar solutions and prevented them from gelling. Gels were not dissolved by enzyme solutions, but the turbidity and iodine-binding properties of the agar were decreased.

Agar↗

Predicting the kinetics of peptide-antibody interactions using a multivariate experimental design of sequence and chemical space.

A multivariate approach involving modifications in peptide sequence and chemical buffer medium was used as an attempt to predict the kinetics of peptide-antibody interactions. Using a BIACORE system the kinetic parameters of the interaction of Fab 57P with 18 peptide analogues of an epitope of tobacco mosaic virus protein were characterized in 20 buffers of various pH values and containing different chemical additives (NaCl, urea, EDTA, KSCN and DMSO). For multivariate peptide design, three amino acid positions were selected because their modification was known to moderately affect binding, without abolishing it entirely. Predictive mathematical models were developed which related kinetic parameters (k(a) or k(d)) measured in standard buffer to the amino acid sequence of the antigen. ZZ-scales and a helix-forming-tendency (HFT) scale were used as descriptors of the physico-chemical properties of amino acids in the peptide antigen. These mathematical models had good predictive power (Q(2) = 0.49 for k(a), Q(2) = 0.73 for k(d)). For the non-essential residues under study, HFT and charge were found to be the most important factors that influenced the activity. Experiments in 19 buffers were performed to assess the sensitivity of the interactions to buffer composition. The presence of urea, DMSO and NaCl in the buffer influenced binding properties, while change in pH and the presence of EDTA and KSCN had no effect. The chemical sensitivity fingerprints were different for the various peptides. The results indicate that multivariate experimental design and mathematical modeling can be applied to the prediction of interaction kinetics.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Detection of antigen-antibody interactions by surface plasmon resonance. Application to epitope mapping.

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) detection requires no labeling of antigen or antibodies and allows quantification of two or more interacting molecular species. The automated SPR instrument used here consists of an optical detection unit, an integrated liquid handling unit, and an autosampler. A first molecule is immobilized to the dextran modified surface of the sensor chip. By sequential introduction, the stepwise formation of multimolecular complexes can then be monitored. A two-site binding assay which allows characterization of MoAb epitope specificities is described. A polyclonal rabbit anti-mouse IgG1 (RAMG1) immobilized to the dextran surface is used to capture the first MoAb from unprocessed hybridoma culture supernatants. After introducing the antigen, the ability of a second MoAb to bind to the antigen is tested. The analysis cycle which is fully automated can be performed more than 100 times using the same RAMG1 surface. Since the detection principle allows monitoring of each reactant in the consecutive formation of a multimolecular complex, multi-site binding experiments can be performed. Five MoAbs recognizing different epitopes on an antigen were shown to bind sequentially, forming a hexamolecular complex. MoAbs were further characterized by inhibition analysis using synthetic peptides derived from the primary structure of their antigen. As a model system MoAbs against recombinant HIV-1 core protein p24 were used in all experiments.

Amino Acid Sequence↗