Antigenic relationship among strains of ibaraki virus and epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus studied with monoclonal antibodies

Twelve monoclonal antibodies against ibaraki virus (IbV) were established and preliminarily characterised by indirect immunoperoxidase (IIP), haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and neutralisation (NT) tests. Five antibodies reacted in the IIP test with all IbV and epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) strains tested, and five antibodies reacted with IbV and Alberta strain (serotype 2) but not with New Jersey strain (serotype 1) of EHDV. Two of 12 antibodies showed both HI and NT activities. Viral proteins with molecular weights of about 24,000 daltons (24KD) and 78KD were determined by two monoclonal antibodies in Western blot analysis. One of two antibodies with the ability of both HI and NT recognised a viral protein with a molecular weight of about 78KD.

Nucleotide sequence of the gene for cholesterol oxidase from a Streptomyces sp

The nucleotide sequence of a 2.1-kilobase-pair fragment containing the Streptomyces choA gene, which codes a secreted cholesterol oxidase, was determined. A single open reading frame encodes a mature cholesterol oxidase of 504 amino acids, with a calculated Mr of 54,913. The leader peptides extend over 42 amino acids and have the characteristics of a signal sequence, including basic amino acids near the amino terminus and a hydrophobic core near the signal cleavage site. Analyses of the total amino acid composition and amino acid sequencing of the first 21 amino acids from the N terminus of the purified extracellular enzyme agree with the values deduced from nucleotide sequencing data.

Monoclonal antibodies that specifically inhibit GM-CSF- and IL-3-dependent growth of human monocytic leukemia cells

We describe monoclonal antibodies (mAbs: anti-MaG-1, TGI-1, TGI-5, and TGI-6) that block the proliferation of AML-193 cells in response to GM-CSF or IL-3 and do not affect the proliferation of AML-193 cells in response to G-CSF and IL-2-driven proliferation of Kit 225 cells. However, none of the mAbs tested had any stimulative effect on the proliferation of AML-193 cells. The mAbs (anti-MaG-1, TGI-1, -5, and -6) could inhibit the binding of [125I]GM-CSF to AML-193 cells. We were able to purify MaG-1 Ag by anti-MaG-1 affinity chromatography. Thus, the MaG-1 Ag and the Ags recognised by mAbs (TGI-1, -5, and -6) may be associated with the receptor for GM-CSF or IL-3 or a structure close to the receptor for GM-CSF or IL-3.

Canine parvovirus: strain difference in haemagglutination activity and antigenicity

Canine parvovirus (CPV) strains were compared for haemagglutination (HA) activity and antigenicity and were divided into two types by HA activity. Strains Cp49 and 29-F showed temperature-dependent HA, like feline panleukopenia virus (FPLV) and mink enteritis virus (MEV), whereas strains Sp-80 and Y-1 showed temperature-independent HA with erythrocytes from eight species of animals. The results of a cross HA inhibition test using immunized rat sera suggested that of the two types of CPV those showing temperature-dependent HA were antigenically like FPLV and MEV whereas those showing temperature-independent HA were not. This antigenic difference between the two types was confirmed by a HA inhibition test with monoclonal antibodies. A chronological survey revealed that CPV isolates from earlier years have HA activity and antigenicity similar to those of FPLV and MEV, whereas current CPV isolates do not. There are some exceptional isolates from the transitional period which have similar antigenicity to FPLV and MEV but different HA activity. These results suggest that the haemagglutinin of CPV altered from one form resembling that of FPLV to a somewhat different structure during passage in dogs in nature.

Production, characterization, and protective effect of monoclonal antibodies to Clostridium chauvoei flagella

Monoclonal antibodies to flagella of Clostridium chauvoei were obtained by the fusion of murine myeloma cells (P3-X63-Ag8-U1) and spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with partially purified flagella of strain Okinawa. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis with partially purified flagella, flagellated cells, and nonflagellated mutants were used to show that five monoclonal antibodies are specific for the flagella. In the Western blot analysis, all five antiflagellar antibodies reacted strongly with the 56,000-molecular-weight protein, which corresponds to the flagellin. By using the ELISA-derived reactivity of monoclonal antibodies to the various clostridia and the competitive binding assay, we showed that the flagella of C. chauvoei had at least three epitopes. The three antiflagellar monoclonal antibodies (one immunoglobulin G and two immunoglobulin M) demonstrated passive protective effects in mice. These results strongly suggest that the flagella of C. chauvoei are important for protective immunity in mice.

Correlation between adherence of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae strains of serovar 1a to tissue culture cells originated from porcine kidney and their pathogenicity in mice and swine

Adherence of four virulent and four avirulent strains of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, serovar 1a, to porcine kidney cell lines, PK-15 and ESK cells, was examined in an in vitro system. The virulent strains adhered well to the cells (range of means, 9.95 +/- 0.87-36.01 +/- 1.10 per cell). In contrast, the avirulent strains showed negligible adherence to the cells (range of means, 0.11 +/- 0.04-1.41 +/- 0.13 per cell). Pretreatment of bacteria with heat, trypsin, or antiserum resulted in a marked decrease in adherence. Scanning electron microscopic examination revealed that the bacteria attached directly to the microvilli of cells.

Psychiatric complications with chronic hemodialysis--importance of psychological and social care

Because of a desire to provide the most suitable treatment for hemodialysis patients, psychological, physical and social problems influencing psychiatric conditions of the patients were studied. One hundred hemodialysis inpatients were compared in each group divided by their characteristics, i.e. age, presence of family problems, occupation, physical complications and their character traits. Psychiatric conditions were most favorable between 3 and 12 months after the introduction of hemodialysis, whereas in other hemodialysis terms depression was noticed in more than half of the subjects. In most of the patients, irritation and anger, and loss of brightness and sympathy were observed during the first 3 months or later than 12 months after the introduction of therapy, respectively. Some of the patients required explanations about the necessity of hemodialysis repeatedly and/or through consecutive psychotherapeutic interviews. This study suggested that a poor outcome of psychological conditions after the introduction of hemodialysis was indicated by the presence of family problems, symptoms of physical origin, the absence of full-time work, having a young child or children, age in the 20-40 year group, B and E type character traits classified by the Yatabe and Gilford test and a long duration of therapy.

The structures of the novel protein kinase C inhibitors K-252a, b, c and d

The structures of four new protein kinase C inhibitors of microbial origin, K-252a, b, c and d were determined by spectral studies and chemical conversion.

An improved hemagglutination test for study of canine parvovirus

Optimal conditions for hemagglutination (HA) by canine parvovirus (CPV) strains were investigated using several buffers. Porcine erythrocytes often agglutinated spontaneously in phosphate-buffered salt solution, isotonic saline solution or barbitone-complement-fixation buffer. Results were reproducible when borate-buffered saline (BBS) was used as the diluent for antigen, and "virus adjusting diluent" (VAD), containing 0.15 M NaCl and 0.3 M phosphate was used as the diluent for erythrocytes. Highest HA titers were obtained at pH 6.0 using BBS and VAD. Specific HA with CPV was observed not only at 4 degrees C but at 37 degrees C, and erythrocytes from horse, shrew mouse, hamster, cat, sheep and dog, as well as pig and African green monkey were agglutinated by CPV using the improved method.

Isolation and characterization of canine distemper virus-specific RNA

Ten species of virus-specific RNA were detected in Vero cells infected with the FXNO strain of canine distemper virus (CDV). The largest RNA was the genome-sized RNA and the nine smaller species were polyadenylated RNAs. Similar results were obtained for nine other strains of CDV. The molecular weights of these ten RNAs were determined to be 4.61 X 10(6), 2.46 X 10(6), 1.52 X 10(6), 1.32 X 10(6), 1.19 X 10(6), 1.07 X 10(6), 0.77 X 10(6), 0.65 X 10(6), 0.58 X 10(6), and 0.48 X 10(6). By in vitro translation of the polyadenylated RNAs in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system, three different proteins which probably correspond to H, NP, and M were synthesized from the fraction containing RNAs 7, 8, 9, and 10.

Requirement of methionine for the replication of canine distemper virus in Vero cells

The replication of canine distemper virus (CDV) in Vero cells was found to require certain amino acids such as arginine, methionine and valine. The deprivation of methionine caused the most marked reduction in virus yield. In cells cultured in medium deprived of methionine, the early processes of viral replication such as adsorption, penetration and uncoating of virus occurred at normal rates, but the syntheses of viral RNA and protein were markedly reduced. The addition of S-adenosylmethionine to methionine-free medium resulted in the growth of CDV to the level obtained in cells with complete medium. Moreover, cycloleucine, which is known to reduce the methylation of mRNA by inhibiting the synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine, also inhibited the growth of CDV, and the addition of methionine or S-adenosylmethionine reversed the inhibitory effect of cycloleucine. The possibility of an inhibition of methylation of mRNA in methionine-deprived cells is discussed.

Presence of an intrastrain cross-reactive idiotype on A/J antibodies of the IgE class specific for the p-azophenylarsonate group

An intrastrain cross-reactive idiotype, CRIA, is associated with a large proportion of the anti-p-azophenylarsonate (anti-Ar) antibodies of A/J mice. The present experiments, in which the methods of direct and reverse passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (RPCA) were used, indicate that IgE anti-Ar antibodies are produced in A/J mice upon stimulation with a protein-Ar conjugate and that a large proportion of these antibodies express CRIA. The use of monoclonal anti-CRIA for RPCA eliminated the strong nonspecific reactions previously observed. The results provide a basis for studying factors that regulate the switch to IgE biosynthesis during an immune response.

Presence of an intrastrain cross-reactive idiotype on A/J antibodies of the IgE class specific for the p-azophenylarsonate group

An intrastrain cross-reactive idiotype, CRIA, is associated with a large proportion of the anti-p-azophenylarsonate (anti-Ar) antibodies of A/J mice. The present experiments, in which the methods of direct and reverse passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (RPCA) were used, indicate that IgE anti-Ar antibodies are produced in A/J mice upon stimulation with a protein-Ar conjugate and that a large proportion of these antibodies express CRIA. The use of monoclonal anti-CRIA for RPCA eliminated the strong nonspecific reactions previously observed. The results provide a basis for studying factors that regulate the switch to IgE biosynthesis during an immune response.