Monoclonal antibodies reactive with specific amino acid sequences of the 126 K protein of tobacco mosaic virus

The GPRLQPY motif located at the carboxy-terminal of the spike protein induces antibodies that neutralize Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus

The spike protein of Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus is the main surface glycoprotein involved in virus attachment and entry and therefore is the target of neutralizing antibodies. Here, the immunogenicity of a novel antigenic domain found on the carboxy-terminal of the spike protein characterized by the peptide motif GPRLQPY, was evaluated. A synthetic peptide whose linear sequence is identical to the 24 a.a. carboxy-terminal portion of the spike protein (S-CT24) elicited a strong antibody response in BALB/c mice that had specific reactivity against the S-CT24 and PEDV. These antibodies were shown to have a specific affinity to the GPRLQPY motif, as demonstrated by non-reactivity with a peptide that lacks this motif. In addition, antiS-CT24 antibodies exhibited neutralizing activities against KPEDV-9 in focus reduction neutralization tests suggesting that the GPRLQPY motif induces neutralizing antibodies against PEDV.

Immunological confirmation of elevated levels of CuZn superoxide dismutase protein in an artificially selected long-lived strain of Drosophila melanogaster

Oxidative stress-induced damage is a major causal factor leading to the loss of function characteristic of the aging process. Various antioxidant defenses are marshalled by the organism so as to combat this oxidative damage and delay the onset of senscence. CuZnSOD is one of the major antioxidant enzymes and has been shown to play an important role in the extended longevity of Drosophila melanogaster. Although assays exist with which to measure the CuZnSOD RNA prevalence and enzyme activity, there existed no antibodies that permitted the measurement of the actual amount of Drosophila enzyme protein present. Development of such a tool would enhance our ability to understand mechanisms of antioxidant gene expression in this organism. We have developed a polyclonal antibody against synthetic SOD peptides that is specific for Drosophila CuZnSOD as shown by Western blots. It is very sensitive when tested against native Drosophila CuZnSOD protein. Its use in our experimental system confirms the prior RNA and enzyme activity measurements that indicate that our genetically selected long-lived strain has significantly higher levels of CuZnSOD protein than does the appropriate control strain.

Aspergillus fumigatus peptides differentially express Th1 and Th2 cytokines

Relevant allergens from Aspergillus fumigatus associated with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) have been cloned and expressed. The pathogenesis of ABPA probably depends on specific cytokines and immunoglobulins secreted by lymphocytes on stimulation with different epitopes of those allergens. In the present study, we synthesized peptides of 12-16 amino acids from the sequence of Asp fI and compared their immunological responses in four mice strains (BALB/c, C57BL/6, AKR, and CBA). Of the five peptides studied for their cytokine profile, one showed a clear Th1, whereas another showed a Th2 response. The remaining three peptides varied in their immunoreactivity. The results suggest that a number of epitopes of diverse activities are present in individual molecules and may be involved in the pathogenesis of ABPA through differential cytokine secretions.