Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 286 in total

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  1. Fulltext Low Levels of Polymorphisms and Negative Selection in Plasmodum knowlesi Merozoite Surface Protein 8 in Malaysian Isolates
    Atique Ahmed M, Kang HJ, Quan FS
    Korean J Parasitol, 2019 Aug;57(4):445-450.
    PMID: 31533414 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2019.57.4.445
    Human infections due to the monkey malaria parasite Plasmodium knowlesi is increasingly being reported from most Southeast Asian countries specifically Malaysia. The parasite causes severe and fatal malaria thus there is a need for urgent measures for its control. In this study, the level of polymorphisms, haplotypes and natural selection of full-length pkmsp8 in 37 clinical samples from Malaysian Borneo along with 6 lab-adapted strains were investigated. Low levels of polymorphism were observed across the full-length gene, the double epidermal growth factor (EGF) domains were mostly conserved, and non-synonymous substitutions were absent. Evidence of strong negative selection pressure in the non-EGF regions were found indicating functional constrains acting at different domains. Phylogenetic haplotype network analysis identified shared haplotypes and indicated geographical clustering of samples originating from Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo. This is the first study to genetically characterize the full-length msp8 gene from clinical isolates of P. knowlesi from Malaysia; however, further functional characterization would be useful for future rational vaccine design.
    Matched MeSH terms: Protozoan Proteins/immunology
  2. Fulltext Immunodominant IgM and IgG Epitopes Recognized by Antibodies Induced in Enterovirus A71-Associated Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Patients
    Aw-Yong KL, Sam IC, Koh MT, Chan YF
    PLoS One, 2016;11(11):e0165659.
    PMID: 27806091 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165659
    Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) is one of the main causative agents of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). Unlike other enteroviruses that cause HFMD, EV-A71 is more frequently associated with severe neurological complications and fatality. To date, no effective licensed antivirals are available to combat EV-A71 infection. Little is known about the immunogenicity of viral non-structural proteins in humans. Previous studies have mainly focused on characterization of epitopes of EV-A71 structural proteins by using immunized animal antisera. In this study, we have characterized human antibody responses against the structural and non-structural proteins of EV-A71. Each viral protein was cloned and expressed in either bacterial or mammalian systems, and tested with antisera by western blot. Results revealed that all structural proteins (VP1-4), and non-structural proteins 2A, 3C and 3D were targets of EV-A71 IgM, whereas EV-A71 IgG recognized all the structural and non-structural proteins. Sixty three synthetic peptides predicted to be immunogenic in silico were synthesized and used for the characterization of EV-A71 linear B-cell epitopes. In total, we identified 22 IgM and four IgG dominant epitopes. Synthetic peptide PEP27, corresponding to residues 142-156 of VP1, was identified as the EV-A71 IgM-specific immunodominant epitope. PEP23, mapped to VP1 41-55, was recognized as the EV-A71 IgG cross-reactive immunodominant epitope. The structural protein VP1 is the major immunodominant site targeted by anti-EV-A71 IgM and IgG antibodies, but epitopes against non-structural proteins were also detected. These data provide new understanding of the immune response to EV-A71 infection, which benefits the development of diagnostic tools, potential therapeutics and subunit vaccine candidates.
    Matched MeSH terms: Viral Nonstructural Proteins/immunology*
  3. Molecular and allergenic characterization of recombinant tropomyosin from mud crab Scylla olivacea
    Azemi NFH, Misnan R, Keong BP, Mokhtar M, Kamaruddin N, Fah WC, et al.
    Mol Biol Rep, 2021 Oct;48(10):6709-6718.
    PMID: 34427887 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06661-x
    BACKGROUND: Tropomyosin is a major allergen in crustaceans, including mud crab species, but its molecular and allergenic properties in Scylla olivacea are not well known. Thus, this study aimed to produce the recombinant tropomyosin protein from S. olivacea and subsequently investigate its IgE reactivity.

    METHODS AND RESULTS: The tropomyosin gene was cloned and expressed in the Escherichia coli system, followed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting test to identify the allergenic potential of the recombinant protein. The 855-base pair of tropomyosin gene produced was found to be 99.18% homologous to Scylla serrata. Its 284 amino acids matched the tropomyosin of crustaceans, arachnids, insects, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, ranging from 79.03 to 95.77%. The tropomyosin contained 89.44% alpha-helix folding with a tertiary structure of two-chain alpha-helical coiled-coil structures comprising a homodimer heptad chain. IPTG-induced histidine tagged-recombinant tropomyosin was purified at the size of 42 kDa and confirmed as tropomyosin using anti-tropomyosin monoclonal antibodies. The IgE binding of recombinant tropomyosin protein was reactive in 90.9% (20/22) of the sera from crab-allergic patients.

    CONCLUSIONS: This study has successfully produced an allergenic recombinant tropomyosin from S. olivacea. This recombinant tropomyosin may be used as a specific allergen for the diagnosis of allergy.

    Matched MeSH terms: Recombinant Proteins/immunology*
  4. Fulltext Progress and challenges toward the development of vaccines against avian infectious bronchitis
    Bande F, Arshad SS, Bejo MH, Moeini H, Omar AR
    J Immunol Res, 2015;2015:424860.
    PMID: 25954763 DOI: 10.1155/2015/424860
    Avian infectious bronchitis (IB) is a widely distributed poultry disease that has huge economic impact on poultry industry. The continuous emergence of new IBV genotypes and lack of cross protection among different IBV genotypes have been an important challenge. Although live attenuated IB vaccines remarkably induce potent immune response, the potential risk of reversion to virulence, neutralization by the maternal antibodies, and recombination and mutation events are important concern on their usage. On the other hand, inactivated vaccines induce a weaker immune response and may require multiple dosing and/or the use of adjuvants that probably have potential safety risks and increased economic burdens. Consequently, alternative IB vaccines are widely sought. Recent advances in recombinant DNA technology have resulted in experimental IB vaccines that show promise in antibody and T-cells responses, comparable to live attenuated vaccines. Recombinant DNA vaccines have also been enhanced to target multiple serotypes and their efficacy has been improved using delivery vectors, nanoadjuvants, and in ovo vaccination approaches. Although most recombinant IB DNA vaccines are yet to be licensed, it is expected that these types of vaccines may hold sway as future vaccines for inducing a cross protection against multiple IBV serotypes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Viral Envelope Proteins/immunology; Viral Matrix Proteins/immunology; Viral Nonstructural Proteins/immunology
  5. Fulltext Complement opsonization of HIV affects primary infection of human colorectal mucosa and subsequent activation of T cells
    Bhattacharya P, Ellegård R, Khalid M, Svanberg C, Govender M, Keita ÅV, et al.
    Elife, 2020 Sep 02;9.
    PMID: 32876566 DOI: 10.7554/eLife.57869
    HIV transmission via genital and colorectal mucosa are the most common routes of dissemination. Here, we explored the effects of free and complement-opsonized HIV on colorectal tissue. Initially, there was higher antiviral responses in the free HIV compared to complement-opsonized virus. The mucosal transcriptional response at 24 hr revealed the involvement of activated T cells, which was mirrored in cellular responses observed at 96 hr in isolated mucosal T cells. Further, HIV exposure led to skewing of T cell phenotypes predominantly to inflammatory CD4+ T cells, that is Th17 and Th1Th17 subsets. Of note, HIV exposure created an environment that altered the CD8+ T cell phenotype, for example expression of regulatory factors, especially when the virions were opsonized with complement factors. Our findings suggest that HIV-opsonization alters the activation and signaling pathways in the colorectal mucosa, which promotes viral establishment by creating an environment that stimulates mucosal T cell activation and inflammatory Th cells.
    Matched MeSH terms: Complement System Proteins/immunology; Opsonin Proteins/immunology
  6. Rapid serologic diagnosis of pediatric typhoid fever in an endemic area: a prospective comparative evaluation of two dot-enzyme immunoassays and the Widal test
    Bhutta ZA, Mansurali N
    Am J Trop Med Hyg, 1999 Oct;61(4):654-7.
    PMID: 10548305
    We evaluated the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of two dot-enzyme-linked immunoassays (Typhidot and Typhidot-M; Malaysian Biodiagnostic Research SDN BHD, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), assessing IgG and IgM antibodies against the outer membrane protein (OMP) of Salmonella typhi, and the Widal test in comparison with blood culture in a consecutive group of children with suspected typhoid fever. Of 97 children with suspected typhoid fever, the disease was confirmed bacteriologically in 46 (47%), whereas 25 (26%) were considered to have typhoid fever on clinical grounds. An alternative diagnosis was made in 26 (27%). The Typhidot and Typhidot-M were superior to the Widal test in their diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, although values (sensitivity = 85-94% and specificity = 77-89%) were significantly lower than in other regional reports. The lower specificity of the Typhidot in our series may represent regional differences in the genomic structure and plasticity of the OMP of S. typhi and merits further evaluation of these tests in diverse geographic locations.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/immunology
  7. Fulltext Immunization with Components of the Viral Fusion Apparatus Elicits Antibodies That Neutralize Epstein-Barr Virus in B Cells and Epithelial Cells
    Bu W, Joyce MG, Nguyen H, Banh DV, Aguilar F, Tariq Z, et al.
    Immunity, 2019 05 21;50(5):1305-1316.e6.
    PMID: 30979688 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2019.03.010
    Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) causes infectious mononucleosis and is associated with epithelial-cell cancers and B cell lymphomas. An effective EBV vaccine is not available. We found that antibodies to the EBV glycoprotein gH/gL complex were the principal components in human plasma that neutralized infection of epithelial cells and that antibodies to gH/gL and gp42 contributed to B cell neutralization. Immunization of mice and nonhuman primates with nanoparticle vaccines that displayed components of the viral-fusion machinery EBV gH/gL or gH/gL/gp42 elicited antibodies that potently neutralized both epithelial-cell and B cell infection. Immune serum from nonhuman primates inhibited EBV-glycoprotein-mediated fusion of epithelial cells and B cells and targeted an epitope critical for virus-cell fusion. Therefore, unlike the leading EBV gp350 vaccine candidate, which only protects B cells from infection, these EBV nanoparticle vaccines elicit antibodies that inhibit the virus-fusion apparatus and provide cell-type-independent protection from virus infection.
    Matched MeSH terms: Viral Envelope Proteins/immunology*
  8. Fulltext Prospective evaluation of antibody response to Streptococcus gallolyticus and risk of colorectal cancer
    Butt J, Jenab M, Willhauck-Fleckenstein M, Michel A, Pawlita M, Kyrø C, et al.
    Int J Cancer, 2018 Jul 15;143(2):245-252.
    PMID: 29377173 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.31283
    The gut microbiome is increasingly implicated in colorectal cancer (CRC) development. A subgroup of patients diagnosed with CRC show high antibody responses to Streptococcus gallolyticus subspecies gallolyticus (SGG). However, it is unclear whether the association is also present pre-diagnostically. We assessed the association of antibody responses to SGG proteins in pre-diagnostic serum samples with CRC risk in a case-control study nested within a prospective cohort. Pre-diagnostic serum samples from 485 first incident CRC cases (mean time between blood draw and diagnosis 3.4 years) and 485 matched controls in the European Prospective Investigation into Nutrition and Cancer (EPIC) study were analyzed for antibody responses to 11 SGG proteins using multiplex serology. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using multivariable conditional logistic regression models. Antibody positivity for any of the 11 SGG proteins was significantly associated with CRC risk with 56% positive controls compared to 63% positive cases (OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.04-1.77). Positivity for two or more proteins of a previously identified SGG 6-marker panel with greater CRC-specificity was also observed among 9% of controls compared to 17% of CRC cases, corresponding to a significantly increased CRC risk (OR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.44-3.27). In this prospective nested case-control study, we observed a positive association between antibody responses to SGG and CRC development in serum samples taken before evident disease onset. Further work is required to establish the possibly etiological significance of these observations and whether SGG serology may be applicable for CRC risk stratification.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Proteins/immunology
  9. Fulltext In Silico identification of M. TB proteins with diagnostic potential
    Calero R, Mirabal M, Bouza J, Guzmán MV, Carrillo H, López Y, et al.
    BMC Immunol, 2013;14 Suppl 1:S9.
    PMID: 23458073 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2172-14-S1-S9
    TB, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), is one of the major global infectious diseases. For the pandemic control, early diagnosis with sensitive and specific methods is fundamental. With the advent of bioinformatics' tools, the identification of several proteins involved in the pathogenesis of TB (TB) has been possible. In the present work, the MTB genome was explored to look for molecules with possible antigenic properties for their evaluation as part of new generation diagnostic kits based on the release of cytokines. Seven proteins from the MTB proteome and some of their combinations suited the computational test and the results suggested their potential use for the diagnosis of infection in the following population groups: Cuba, Mexico, Malaysia and sub-Saharan Africa. Our predictions were performed using public bioinformatics tools plus three computer programs, developed by our group, to facilitate information retrieval and processing.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Proteins/immunology*
  10. Fulltext A Direct Role for the CD1b Endogenous Spacer in the Recognition of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis Antigen by T-Cell Receptors
    Camacho F, Moreno E, Garcia-Alles LF, Chinea Santiago G, Gilleron M, Vasquez A, et al.
    Front Immunol, 2020;11:566710.
    PMID: 33162982 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.566710
    Lipids, glycolipids and lipopeptides derived from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) are presented to T cells by monomorphic molecules known as CD1. This is the case of the Mtb-specific sulfoglycolipid Ac2SGL, which is presented by CD1b molecules and is recognized by T cells found in tuberculosis (TB) patients and in individuals with latent infections. Our group, using filamentous phage display technology, obtained two specific ligands against the CD1b-Ac2SGL complex: (i) a single chain T cell receptor (scTCR) from a human T cell clone recognizing the CD1b-AcSGL complex; and (ii) a light chain domain antibody (dAbκ11). Both ligands showed lower reactivity to a synthetic analog of Ac2SGL (SGL12), having a shorter acyl chain as compared to the natural antigen. Here we put forward the hypothesis that the CD1b endogenous spacer lipid (EnSpacer) plays an important role in the recognition of the CD1b-Ac2SGL complex by specific T cells. To support this hypothesis we combined: (a) molecular binding assays for both the scTCR and the dAbκ11 antibody domain against a small panel of synthetic Ac2SGL analogs having different acyl chains, (b) molecular modeling of the CD1b-Ac2SGL/EnSpacer complex, and (c) modeling of the interactions of this complex with the scTCR. Our results contribute to understand the mechanisms of lipid presentation by CD1b molecules and their interactions with T-cell receptors and other specific ligands, which may help to develop specific tools targeting Mtb infected cells for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
    Matched MeSH terms: Recombinant Proteins/immunology
  11. Fulltext Cross-reactivity of Malaysian rat cytomegalovirus strains with its human counterpart
    Camalxaman SN, Zeenathul NA, Quah YW, Loh HS, Zuridah H, Sheikh-Omar AR, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2011 Dec;28(3):661-7.
    PMID: 22433897 MyJurnal
    This study probes into the prospect of cross-reactivity of HCMV with RCMV which has not been acknowledged to date. We describe the uncovering of a protein with an estimated size of between 61-68 kDa from local RCMV strains which reacted with HCMV positive sera. Our findings are a first disclosure of a plausible immunological cross-reactivity between RCMV with its human counterpart which grounds substantial interest implying existence of conserved determinants between rat and human CMV polypeptides. The cross-reactive protein most likely represents an enveloped glycoprotein, though the precise identification and its degree of similarity needs to be evidently defined and further elucidated in forthcoming experiments.
    Matched MeSH terms: Viral Proteins/immunology*
  12. Antibodies against prM protein distinguish between previous infection with dengue and Japanese encephalitis viruses
    Cardosa MJ, Wang SM, Sum MS, Tio PH
    BMC Microbiol, 2002 May 5;2:9.
    PMID: 12019028
    In Southeast Asia, dengue viruses often co-circulate with other flaviviruses such as Japanese encephalitis virus, and due to the presence of shared antigenic epitopes it is often difficult to use serological methods to distinguish between previous infections by these flaviviruses.
    Matched MeSH terms: Viral Envelope Proteins/immunology*; Viral Proteins/immunology*
  13. Genetic polymorphisms in the Toll-like receptor signalling pathway in Helicobacter pylori infection and related gastric cancer
    Castaño-Rodríguez N, Kaakoush NO, Pardo AL, Goh KL, Fock KM, Mitchell HM
    Hum Immunol, 2014 Aug;75(8):808-15.
    PMID: 24929142 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2014.06.001
    Gastric cancer (GC) is a progressive process initiated by Helicobacter pylori-induced inflammation. Initial recognition of H. pylori involves Toll-like receptors (TLRs), central molecules in the host inflammatory response. Here, we investigated the association between novel polymorphisms in genes involved in the TLR signalling pathway, including TLR2, TLR4, LBP, MD-2, CD14 and TIRAP, and risk of H. pylori infection and related GC.
    Matched MeSH terms: Acute-Phase Proteins/immunology; Carrier Proteins/immunology
  14. Nucleotide changes responsible for loss of neuroinvasiveness in Japanese encephalitis virus neutralization-resistant mutants
    Cecilia D, Gould EA
    Virology, 1991 Mar;181(1):70-7.
    PMID: 1704661
    The Sarawak strain of Japanese encephalitis virus (JE-Sar) is virulent in 3-week-old mice when inoculated intraperitoneally. The nucleotide sequence for the envelope glycoprotein (E) of this virus was determined and compared with the published sequences of four other strains. There were several silent nucleotide differences and five codon changes. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against the E protein of JE-Sar virus were prepared and characterized. MAb-resistant mutants of JE-Sar were selected to determine if mutations in the E protein gene could affect its virulence for mice. Eight mutants were isolated using five different MAbs that identified virus-specific or group-reactive epitopes on the E protein. The mutants lost either complete or partial reactivity with selecting MAb. Several showed decreased virulence in 3-week-old mice after intraperitoneal inoculation. Two (r27 and r30) also showed reduced virulence in 2-week-old mice. JE-Sar and the derived mutants were comparable in their virulence for mice, when inoculated intracranially. Mutant r30 but not r27 induced protective immunity in adult mice against intracranial challenge with parent virus. However, r27-2 did induce protective immunity against itself. Nucleotide sequencing of the E coding region for the mutants revealed single base changes in both r30 and r27 resulting in a predicted change from isoleucine to serine at position 270 in r30 and from glycine to aspartic acid at position 333 in r27. The altered capacity of the mutants to induce protective immunity is consistent with the immunogenicity changes predicted by computer analysis using the Protean II program.
    Matched MeSH terms: Viral Envelope Proteins/immunology
  15. Magnetic bead-based semi-automated phage display panning strategy for the directed evolution of antibodies
    Ch'ng ACW, Konthur Z, Lim TS
    Methods Enzymol, 2020;630:159-178.
    PMID: 31931984 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2019.10.023
    Directed evolution is a proven approach to fine tune or modify biomolecules for various applications ranging from research to industry. The process of evolution requires methods that are capable of not only generating genetic diversity but also to distinguish the variants of desired characteristics. One method that is synonymous with directed evolution of proteins is phage display. Here, we present a protocol describing the application of magnetic nanoparticles coupled with a processor to carry out the identification of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from a diverse antibody library via phage display. Target antigens are coupled to magnetic nanoparticles as the solid phase for the isolation of the binding mAbs via affinity. A gradual enrichment in clones would result in increasing ELISA readouts with increasing rounds of panning. During monoclonal level analysis, positivity can be deduced with comparison to background and controls. The biopanning process can also be adopted for the directed evolution of enzymes, scaffold proteins or even peptides.
    Matched MeSH terms: Immobilized Proteins/immunology
  16. Fulltext Immunization with recombinant enterovirus 71 viral capsid protein 1 fragment stimulated antibody responses in hamsters
    Ch'ng WC, Stanbridge EJ, Wong KT, Ong KC, Yusoff K, Shafee N
    Virol J, 2012;9:155.
    PMID: 22877087 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422X-9-155
    Enterovirus 71 (EV71) causes severe neurological diseases resulting in high mortality in young children worldwide. Development of an effective vaccine against EV71 infection is hampered by the lack of appropriate animal models for efficacy testing of candidate vaccines. Previously, we have successfully tested the immunogenicity and protectiveness of a candidate EV71 vaccine, containing recombinant Newcastle disease virus capsids that display an EV71 VP1 fragment (NPt-VP11-100) protein, in a mouse model of EV71 infection. A drawback of this system is its limited window of EV71 susceptibility period, 2 weeks after birth, leading to restricted options in the evaluation of optimal dosing regimens. To address this issue, we have assessed the NPt-VP11-100 candidate vaccine in a hamster system, which offers a 4-week susceptibility period to EV71 infection. Results obtained showed that the NPt-VP11-100 candidate vaccine stimulated excellent humoral immune response in the hamsters. Despite the high level of antibody production, they failed to neutralize EV71 viruses or protect vaccinated hamsters in viral challenge studies. Nevertheless, these findings have contributed towards a better understanding of the NPt-VP11-100 recombinant protein as a candidate vaccine in an alternative animal model system.
    Matched MeSH terms: Capsid Proteins/immunology*
  17. Partial protection against enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection in a mouse model immunized with recombinant Newcastle disease virus capsids displaying the EV71 VP1 fragment
    Ch'ng WC, Stanbridge EJ, Ong KC, Wong KT, Yusoff K, Shafee N
    J Med Virol, 2011 Oct;83(10):1783-91.
    PMID: 21837796 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.22198
    Enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection may cause severe neurological complications, particularly in young children. Despite the risks, there are still no commercially available EV71 vaccines. Hence, a candidate vaccine construct, containing recombinant Newcastle disease virus capsids that display an EV71 VP1 fragment (NPt-VP1(1-100) ) protein, was evaluated in a mouse model of EV71 infection. Previously, it was shown that this protein construct provoked a strong immune response in vaccinated adult rabbits. That study, however, did not address the issue of its effectiveness against EV71 infection in young animals. In the present study, EV71 viral challenge in vaccinated newborn mice resulted in more than 40% increase in survival rate. Significantly, half of the surviving mice fully recovered from their paralysis. Histological analysis of all of the surviving mice revealed a complete clearance of EV71 viral antigens from their brains and spinal cords. In hind limb muscles, the amounts of the antigens detected correlated with the degrees of tissue damage and paralysis. Findings from this study provide evidence that immunization with the NPt-VP1(1-100) immunogen in a newborn mouse model confers partial protection against EV71 infection, and also highlights the importance of NPt-VP1(1-100) as a possible candidate vaccine for protection against EV71 infections.
    Matched MeSH terms: Viral Proteins/immunology*; Capsid Proteins/immunology*
  18. Immunogenicity of a truncated enterovirus 71 VP1 protein fused to a Newcastle disease virus nucleocapsid protein fragment in mice
    Ch'ng WC, Saw WT, Yusoff K, Shafee N
    Acta Virol., 2011;55(3):227-33.
    PMID: 21978156
    Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is one of the viruses that cause hand, foot and mouth disease. Its viral capsid protein 1 (VP1), which contains many neutralization epitopes, is an ideal target for vaccine development. Recently, we reported the induction of a strong immune response in rabbits to a truncated VP1 fragment (Nt-VP1t) displayed on a recombinant Newcastle disease virus (NDV) capsid protein. Protective efficacy of this vaccine, however, can only be tested in mice, since all EV71 animal models thus far were developed in mouse systems. In this study, we evaluated the type of immune responses against the protein developed by adult BALB/c mice. Nt-VP1t protein induced high levels of VP1 IgG antibody production in mice. Purified VP1 antigen stimulated activation, proliferation and differentiation of splenocytes harvested from these mice. They also produced significant levels of IFN-γ, a Th1-related cytokine. Taken together, Nt-VP1t protein is a potent immunogen in adult mice and our findings provide the data needed for testing of its protective efficacy in mouse models of EV71 infections.
    Matched MeSH terms: Recombinant Proteins/immunology; Viral Proteins/immunology*; Capsid Proteins/immunology*
  19. Detection of IgM and IgG antibodies to Cryptococcus neoformans proteins in blood donors and HIV patients with active cryptococcosis
    Chai HC, Tay ST
    Mycoses, 2009 Mar;52(2):166-70.
    PMID: 18643920 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2008.01549.x
    The serological responses to Cryptococcus neoformans proteins of blood donors and HIV patients with active cryptococcosis from a tropical region were investigated in this study. Exposure to C. neoformans, an organism ubiquitous in the environment, contributes to the antibody responses observed in the blood donors. IgG responses to cryptococcal proteins were stronger than IgM responses in most sera tested in this study. A 53-kDa cryptococcal protein fragment was identified as the most immunoreactive protein on the IgM immunoblots of both blood donors and patients. Overall, there was no obvious difference in IgG responses of patients when compared with blood donors. Some immunogenic protein fragments (27.5, 76, 78 and 91.5 kDa) were detected at least two times more frequently on IgM immunoblots of patients compared with those of blood donors. It is yet to be investigated whether the proteins identified in this study may have any potential to be used as biomarker for cryptococcosis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins/immunology*
  20. Generation of monoclonal antibodies against Hong Kong nasopharyngeal carcinoma-associated Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1)
    Chan BC, To KF, Pang JC, Chung YF, Lo KW, Tong JH, et al.
    Int J Cancer, 2002 Dec 10;102(5):492-8.
    PMID: 12432552
    A panel of monoclonal antibodies specific to Hong Kong Chinese nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)-associated Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) variants has been generated. These monoclonal antibodies not only differentiate the Hong Kong Chinese NPC-associated LMP1 variants from the prototype B95-8 LMP1, derived from Caucasian infectious mononucleosis, but also differentiate the 2 highly homologous LMP1 deletion variants commonly found in Hong Kong primary NPC. The predominant deletion type variant, DV-Asp335, is characterized by an aspartic acid at residue 335 located in the cytoplasmic C-terminal region, whereas the other minor deletion variant, DV-Gly335, has a glycine in the same residue position. 335D is hitherto found predominantly in LMP1 of the China 1 strain in association with NPC in the Chinese populations located in southern China and Malaysia. These antibodies, which are applicable in ELISA, immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry on paraffin sections, are the first variant-specific anti-LMP1 monoclonal antibodies produced, and will be useful in investigating the functional significance of 335D in NPC.
    Matched MeSH terms: Viral Matrix Proteins/immunology*
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