PURPOSE: Japanese hop (Humulus spp.) and mugwort (Artemisia spp.) are notable causes of autumn pollinosis in East Asia. However, Japanese hop and mugwort pollen extracts, which are widely used for the diagnosis, have not been standardized. This study was performed to standardize Japanese hop and mugwort pollen extracts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Allergen extracts were prepared in a standardized way using locally collected Humulus japonicus and purchased Artemisia vulgaris pollens. The immunoglobulin E (IgE) reactivities of prepared extracts were compared with commercial extracts via IgE immunoblotting and inhibition analyses. Intradermal skin tests were performed to determine the bioequivalent allergy unit (BAU). RESULTS: The IgE reactive components of the extracts via IgE immunoblotting were similar to those of commercial extracts. A 11-kDa allergen showed the strongest IgE reactivity in Japanese hop, as did a 28-kDa allergen in mugwort pollen extracts. Allergenic potencies of the investigatory Japanese hop and mugwort extracts were essentially indistinguishable from the commercial ones. Sums of erythema of 50 mm by the intradermal skin test (SigmaED50) were calculated to be 14.4th and 13.6th three-fold dilutions for Japanese hop and mugwort extracts, respectively. Therefore, the allergenic activity of the prepared extracts was 90827.4 BAU/mg for Japanese hop and 34412 BAU/mg for mugwort. CONCLUSION: We produced Japanese hop and mugwort pollen extracts using a standardized method. Standardized Japanese hop and mugwort pollen extracts will facilitate the production of improved diagnostic and immunotherapeutic reagents.
Allergens/*analysis/*immunology ; Antibody Specificity ; *Artemisia ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity/blood/immunology ; Cross Reactions ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Immunoblotting ; Immunoglobulin E/blood/*immunology ; Pollen/*chemistry/*immunology ; Reference Standards ; Republic of Korea ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal

Diagnosis of scrub typhus is challenging due to its more than twenty serotypes and the similar clinical symptoms with other acute febrile illnesses including leptospirosis, murine typhus and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. Accuracy and rapidity of a diagnostic test to Orientia tsutsugamushi is an important step to diagnose this disease. To discriminate scrub typhus from other diseases, the improved ImmuneMed Scrub Typhus Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) was evaluated in Korea and Sri Lanka. The sensitivity at the base of each IgM and IgG indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA) in Korean patients was 98.6% and 97.1%, and the specificity was 98.2% and 97.7% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for retrospective diagnosis at the base of IFA in Sri Lanka was 92.1% and 96.1%. ImmuneMed RDT was not reactive to any serum from seventeen diseases including hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (n = 48), leptospirosis (n = 23), and murine typhus (n = 48). ImmuneMed RDT shows superior sensitivity (98.6% and 97.1%) compared with SD Bioline RDT (84.4% at IgM and 83.3% at IgG) in Korea. The retrospective diagnosis of ImmuneMed RDT exhibits 94.0% identity with enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using South India patient serum samples. These results suggest that this RDT can replace other diagnostic tests and is applicable for global diagnosis of scrub typhus. This rapid and accurate diagnosis will be beneficial for diagnosing and managing scrub typhus.
Antibodies, Bacterial/blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/blood ; Immunoglobulin M/blood ; Orientia tsutsugamushi/immunology ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; Retrospective Studies ; Scrub Typhus/*diagnosis/microbiology ; Sensitivity and Specificity

To prepare monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against structural proteins of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus (SFTSV), BALB/c mice were immunized using purified inactivated SFTSV virions as the antigens. Subsequently, hybridoma cell lines that secreted monoclonal antibodies against nucleoprotein (NP) and glycoproteins (GP) were obtained using a hybridoma technique. The antigen specificities of prepared mAbs were examined by indirect immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation assays. Functional analyses were then performed,including the detection of IFA antibody titers,the levels of neutralizing activity and antibody affinities. After cell fusion and cloning,13 hybridoma cell lines secreted mAbs specifically against SFTSV-GP and 7 hybridoma cell lines secreted mAbs specifically against SFTSV-NP. Immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation assays showed that the mAbs had high levels of antigen specificity. Among the 13 anti-SFTSV-GP mAbs,6 recognized Gn,whereas the others reacted with Gc. IFA titers of most anti-SFTSV-GP mAbs were between 1,280 and 20,480, and four anti-SFTSV-Gn mAbs showed neutralizing activity. Seven of the obtained anti-SFTSV-NP mAbs reacted specifically with NP,of which the IFA titers ranged from 5,120 to 20,480 with no observed neutralizing activity. Furthermore, two anti-SFTSV-GP mAbs, 1C8 and 1G8, showed high levels of affinity via a non-competitive ELISA. Our study lays the foundation for the development of further diagnostic assays and basic research into SFTSV.
Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; immunology ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Antibody Specificity ; Bunyaviridae Infections ; immunology ; virology ; Female ; Humans ; Hybridomas ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Phlebovirus ; immunology ; Viral Structural Proteins ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo prepare rabbit monoclonal antibody (RabMab) against guanosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) and to develop a competitive ELISA for the detection of cGMP.

METHODSNew Zealand white rabbits were immunized with synthesized cGMP-keyhole limpet hemoeyanin (cGMP-KLH) to prepared a RabMAb with monoclonal antibody technique of Epitomics. A competitive ELISA kit was produced with cGMP RabMAb. The specificity, the precision and the recoveries of the method were determined.

RESULTSThe RabMAb with high sensitivity towards cGMP were prepared with an antibody timer of 3.1 ng/mL and 50% inhibitive concentration (IC50) of 12.57 ng/mL. The cGMP RabMAb had 33% cross-reactivity to inosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate (cIMP) and little or no cross-reactivity to other compounds. A competitive ELISA was developed for detection of cGMP. The range of detection was 0~120 ng/mL with a minimal limit of 1.95 ng/mL. The recovery of assay was 89%~103%. The inter-assay and intra-assay coefficient variations were below 11.68% and 13.85%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe RabMab against cGMP with high affinity and high specificity has been generated successfully, and a competitive ELISA for detection of cGMP has been developed with the prepared cGMP RabMAb.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; biosynthesis ; Antibody Specificity ; Cross Reactions ; Cyclic GMP ; immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Rabbits

The severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is the causative pathogen of an emerging infectious disease severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome and a new member in the genus Phlebovirus of family Bunyaviridae. Immune responses and pathological lesions in SFTSV-infected Balb/C mice and hamsters were evaluated by inoculation of SFTSV at 105 TCID50 or 103 TCID50 per animal through four different routes of infection, including intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, and intracerebral injections. The vehicle control groups were also included. At different time points after the inoculation blood and plasma samples were collected. Blood cell counts, blood viral RNA copies, and plasma antibodies were detected by automatic blood cell counters, real-time PCR, and luminex assays, respectively. At two weeks post inoculation, the animals were sacrificed. Tissues including heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, intestine, muscle, and brain, were collected for pathological analyses. Results showed that the SFTSV could infect Balb/C mice and hamsters with SFTSV-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG antibodies detected in plasma samples on day 7 post inoculation. The SFTSV-specific IgM levels peaked on day 7 post inoculation and then decreased, whereas the SFTSV-specific IgG levels started to increase on day 7 and then peaked on day 14 post inoculation. Pathological analyses indicated significant pathological lesions in liver and kidney tissues. In conclusion, SFTSV could can infect different strains of rodent animals and cause similar immunological and pathological responses.
Animals ; Antibody Specificity ; Bunyaviridae Infections ; blood ; pathology ; Cricetinae ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Leukocyte Count ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Organ Specificity ; Phlebovirus ; immunology ; physiology

In order to develop monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) against the gp90 protein of reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV), the His-tagged gp90 protein of REV was used to immunize BALB/c mice. Hybridomas were generated by fusing mouse myeloma cells SP2/0 with the splenocytes from the immunized mice. After screening and 3 rounds of cloning process, 3 hybridomas (3G5-B8, 3G5-A10 and 1G12) that stably secreted McAbs against the REV-gp90 were obtained. The isotypes of the McAbs were determined to be IgG1, IgG1 and IgG2b. The McAbs specifically bound to gp90 in REV-infected DF-1 cells, as demonstrated by Western blotting and indirect immunofluorescence assay. The recognition regions on gp90 that were recognized by 3G5-B8/3G5-A10 and 1G12 were located between amino acids 200 to 245 and 230 to 235, respectively, as demonstrated by Western blotting analysis. These McAbs will be useful in the diagnosis and pathogenesis study of REV.
Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; biosynthesis ; Antibody Specificity ; Blotting, Western ; Epitope Mapping ; Hybridomas ; Immunoglobulin G ; biosynthesis ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Reticuloendotheliosis virus ; immunology ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo establish a calculated panel reactive antibody (CPRA) method to analyze the donor-recipient incompatibility rate in PRA-positive kidney recipients and estimate the probability of these recipients to receive kidney transplantation.

METHODSBased on the database of HLA-A, -B, -DR genes and A-B, A-DR, B-DR, A-B-DR haplotype frequencies collected from 2004 donors from Jan 2000 to Dec 2012, we analyzed CPRA in 202 PRA-positive recipients and evaluated the consistency between PRA and CPRA assessments using a CPRA-Java calculator software, which returned a percentage of CPRA (representing the probability of unacceptable HLA in the donor group) after input of HLA-specific antibodies of a PRA-positive recipient.

RESULTSThe mean PRA intensity of the 202 PRA-positive recipients was (23.12∓17.83)% with a mean CPRA% of (46.07∓23.30)%. A significant difference was found between the mean PRA% and CPRA% in low sensitized recipients (PRA 0-10%) [(6.87∓2.41)% vs (21.63∓11.75)%, P<0.05) and in moderately sensitized recipients (PRA 10%-30%) [(20.15∓5.70)% vs (50.56∓16.86)%, P<0.05), but not in highly sensitized recipients (PRA>30%); The concordance rates between PRA% and CPRA% in the 3 groups were 19.35% (P<0.05), 10.99% (P<0.05), and 100% (P>0.05), respectively.

CONCLUSIONSLowly sensitized kidney recipients might have a lower probability of actually receiving a transplant than PRA% shows. A PRA%>30% is a risk factor for kidney transplantation. PRA reflects the sensitized level of a renal recipient, and reliable detection of HLA antibody specificity is of critical importance. CPRA accurately reflects the probability of a recipient to receive a transplant to assist clinicians in predicting the waiting time and selecting the transplant approach.

Antibodies ; Antibody Specificity ; Graft Rejection ; immunology ; Graft Survival ; immunology ; HLA Antigens ; genetics ; Haploidy ; Histocompatibility Testing ; methods ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation

Heart transplantation is the last treatment option in refractory end stage heart failure, which can prolong survival. The number of heart transplantations has increased and the survival rate has improved during the last few decades which was contributed by advanced understanding of immunologic mechanism of rejection, pharmaceutical development and clinical management of donors and recipients. However, only a fraction of patients can be offered to transplantation due to shortage of donor heart and many patients suffer high mortality while waiting. Meanwhile, technical advancement of mechanical assist device in recent years enabled long term implantable left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) to bridge the patients with high mortality in the waiting list to transplantation and to assist as a long term destination therapy for patients who are not eligible for transplantation. Development of solid phase assay increased the sensitivity and the specificity of detection of anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies in the recipient. It enabled identifying unacceptable HLA antigens, acquire calculated Panel Reactive Antibodies and perform virtual cross match that can enhance the efficacy of donor allocation system to decrease the waiting time, obviate prospective cross match to decrease ischemic time and to assess the risk of rejection in presensitized patients. Antibody mediated rejection is a challenging entity in diagnosis and management. However, standardized classification of histology and immunology of endomyocardial biopsies was made recently and immunotherapy is moving toward targeted therapies directed at antibody production and function. This review focuses on those major changes in the heart transplantation field in the last decade.
Allergy and Immunology ; Antibodies ; Antibody Formation ; Biopsy ; Classification ; Diagnosis ; Graft Rejection ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; Heart Transplantation* ; Heart-Assist Devices* ; HLA Antigens ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Leukocytes ; Mortality ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Survival Rate ; Tissue Donors ; Waiting Lists

To enhance the immunogenicity of DNA and adenoviral vector vaccines expressing HIV-1 subtype B gp160, human interleukin 15 (hIL15) DNA adjuvant (pVR-hIL15) was constructed. BALB/c mice received DNA prime/protein boost immunization with pVR-HIVgp160/Ad5-HIVgp160 alone or combined with pVR-hIL15. Cellular and humoral immune responses were evaluated by IFN-gamma enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Compared with those immunized with vaccines alone, the mice immunized with vaccines combined with pVR-hIL15 had significantly increased specific cellular response and antibody titer (P < 0.05). It suggests that the IL15 DNA adjuvant can enhance the immune responses induced by prime-boost regimen using DNA and adenoviral vector encoding HIV-1 subtype B gp160.
Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Adjuvants, Immunologic ; Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Antibody Specificity ; Female ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; HIV Envelope Protein gp120 ; immunology ; HIV Envelope Protein gp160 ; genetics ; immunology ; HIV Envelope Protein gp41 ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunity, Humoral ; Interleukin-15 ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Vaccines, DNA ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between the major allergens of 6 common allergic foods and IgA nephropathy.

METHODSA sensitive sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum levels of food-specific IgA1, IgG and IgE in 31 patients with IgA nephropathy and 80 healthy volunteers. All the patients were examined for a history of food allergy using a questionnaire.

RESULTSSerum levels of IgA1 and IgG against the major allergens of the 6 common allergic foods were significantly higher in patients with IgA nephropathy than in healthy volunteers (P<0.05). There was no detectable food-specific IgE antibodies in the two groups. No patients had a clear history of food allergy. All the patients with increased IgG levels specific to 4 or more foods simultaneously had proteinuria.

CONCLUSIONSSome foods especially the highly allergic ones may participate in the pathogenesis and progression of IgA nephropathy.

Adult ; Antibody Specificity ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Food Hypersensitivity ; classification ; immunology ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; blood ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; blood ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Male ; Young Adult