Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
  • G01N33/48—Biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Haemocytometers
  • G01N33/50—Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing
  • G01N33/53—Immunoassay; Biospecific binding assay; Materials therefor
  • G01N33/569—Immunoassay; Biospecific binding assay; Materials therefor for microorganisms, e.g. protozoa, bacteria, viruses
  • G01N33/56905—Protozoa
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K16/00—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies
  • C07K16/18—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans
  • C07K16/20—Immunoglobulins [IGs], e.g. monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies against material from animals or humans from protozoa
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides

Definitions

• monoclonal antibodies specific for the antigens or species of Trichomon ⁇ as are desired which when used will rapidly diagnose the presence of such organisms in speci ⁇ mens.
• Trichomon ⁇ Divisions have been made among the Trichomon ⁇ as species. Some of the representative members include Trichomonas hominis, and Trichomonas vaginalis.
• Trichomonas is a very common genital infec ⁇ tion of men and women producing intense local symptoms.
• the usual method of diagnosis is microscopic, and in the physician's office or clinic this approach is often too labor intensive. Since the clinical symptoms suggesting Trichomonas (genital itching, burning pain, irritation, and/or discharge) are common, a rapid diagnostic test to exclude trichomonas could be very widely used.
• isotopic and nonisotopic immunoassays have been utilized in conjunction with monoclonal antibodies to test for the pres ⁇ ence of an antigenic substance.
• agglutination, immuno-fluorescent, chemilum- inescent or fluorescent immunoassay, immuno- electron microscopy, radiometric assay systems, radio immunoassays, and enzyme-linked immunoassays are the most common techniques used with the monoclonal antibodies. Other techniques include bioluminescent, fluorescence polarization, and photon-counting immunoassays.
• the enzyme-linked monoclonal antibody can then be used in the known enzyme-linked immunosor- bent assay procedure to determine the presence 359
• the serotype of the infecting organism can be determined, and appropriate treatment can then be initiated to rapidly and efficiently eliminate the disease.
• the present invention provides novel mono ⁇ clonal antibodies for use in accurately and rapidly diagnosing samples for the presence of Trichomonas antigens and/or organisms.
• the present invention com ⁇ prises monoclonal antibodies specific for an antigen or species of Trichomonas; in particular, the antigens or species of Trichomonas hominis (designated as Trichomonas hominis I, II, III, -5- or IV), and Trichomonas vaginalis, as well as a monoclonal antibody broadly cross-reactive with an antigen for each species of the genus Trichomonas.
• the invention also comprises labeled mono ⁇ clonal antibodies for use in diagnosing the presence of the Trichomonas antigens, each com ⁇ prising a monoclonal antibody against one of the above-mentioned antigens to Trichomonas or to a particular species thereof and linked thereto an appropriate label.
• the label can be chosen from the group consisting of a radio ⁇ active isotope, enzyme, fluorescent compound, chemiluminescent compound, bioluminescent com ⁇ pound, ferromagnetic atom, or particle, or any other label.
• the invention further comprises the process for diagnosing the presence of Trichomonas anti ⁇ gens or organisms in a specimen comprising con ⁇ tacting said specimen with the labeled monoclonal antibody in an appropriate.immunoassay procedure.
• the invention is also directed to a therapeutic composition
• a therapeutic composition comprising a mono ⁇ clonal antibody for an antigen of Trichomonas and a carrier or diluent, as well as kits contain ⁇ ing at least one labeled monoclonal antibody 2359
• the monoclonal antibodies of the present invention are prepared by fusing spleen cells, from a mammal which has been immunized against the particular Trichomonas antigen, with an appropriate myeloma cell line, preferably NSO (unclo ⁇ ed), P3NS1-Ag4/1, or Sp2/0 Agl4.
• an appropriate myeloma cell line preferably NSO (unclo ⁇ ed), P3NS1-Ag4/1, or Sp2/0 Agl4.
• the resultant product is then cultured in a standard HAT (hypoxanthine, aminopterin, and thymidine) medium. Screening tests for the specific mono ⁇ clonal antibodies are employed utilizing immuno ⁇ assay techniques which will be described below.
• the immunized spleen cells may be derived from any mammal, such as primates, humans, rodents (i.e., mice, rats, and rabbits), bovine, ovine, canine, or the like, but the present invention will be described in connection with mice.
• the mouse is first immunized by injection of the particular Trichomonas antigen chosen gener ⁇ ally for a period of approximately eleven weeks. When the mouse shows sufficient antibody produc ⁇ tion against the antigen, as determined by conven ⁇ tional assay, it is given a booster injection of the appropriate Trichomonas antigen, and then killed so that the immunized spleen may be removed. The fusion can then be carried out utilizing immunized spleen cells and an appropriate myeloma cell line.
• the fused cells yielding an antibody which give a positive response to the presence of the particular Trichomonas antigen are removed and cloned utilizing any of the standard methods.
• the monoclonal antibodies from the clones are then tested against standard antigens to determine their specificity for the particular Trichomonas antigen.
• the monoclonal antibody selected, which is specific for the particular Trichomonas antigen or species, is then bound to an appropri ⁇ ate label.
• Amounts of antibody sufficient for labeling and subsequent commercial production are produced by the known techniques, such as by batch or continuous tissue culture or culture in vivo in mammals, such as mice.
• the monoclonal antibodies may be labeled with a multitude of different labels, such as enzymes, fluorescent compounds, luminescent compounds, radioactive compounds, ferromagnetic labels, and the like.
• labels such as enzymes, fluorescent compounds, luminescent compounds, radioactive compounds, ferromagnetic labels, and the like.
• the present invention will be described with reference to the use of an enzyme labeled monoclonal antibody.
• enzymes utilized as labels are alkaline phosphatase, glucose oxidase, galactosidase, peroxidase, or urease, and the like.
• Such linkage with enzymes can be accomplished by any one of the conventional and known methods, such as the Staphylococcal Protein A method, the glutaraldehyde method, the benzoquinone method, or the periodate method.
• EIA enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay
• Fluorescent-immunoassay is based on the labeling of antigen or antibody with fluorescent probes. A nonlabeled antigen and a specific antibody are combined with identical fluorescently labeled antigen. Both labeled and unlabeled antigen compete for antibody binding sites. The amount of labeled antigen bound to the antibody is dependent upon, and therefore a measurement of, the concentration of nonlabeled antigen. Examples of this particular type of fluorescent- immunoassay would include heterogenous systems such as Enzyme-Linked Fluorescent Immunoassay, or homogeneous systems such as the Substrate Labeled Fluorescent Immunoassay. The most suit ⁇ able fluorescent probe, and the one most widely used is fluorescein. While fluorescein can be subject to considerable interference from scattering, sensitivity can be increased by the use of a fluorometer optimized for the probe utilized in the particular assay and in which the effect of scattering can be minimized.
• Fluorescence polarization In fluorescence polarization, a labeled sample is excited with polarized light and the degree of polarization of the emitted light is measured. As the antigen binds to the antibody its rotation slows down and the degree of polari ⁇ zation increases. Fluorescence polarization is simple, quick, and precise. However, at the present time its sensitivity is limited to the micromole per liter range and upper nano- ole per liter range with respect to antigens in biological samples.
• Luminescence is the emission of light by an atom or molecule as an electron is transferred to the ground state from a higher energy state.
• the free energy of a chemical reaction provides the energy required to produce an inter ⁇ mediate reaction or product in an electronically excited state. Subsequent decay back to the ground state is accompanied by emission of light.
• Bioluminescence is the name given to a special form of che iluminescence found in biological systems, in which a catalytic protein or enzyme, such as luciferase, increases the efficiency of the luminescent reaction.
• the best known chemiluminescent substance is luminol.
• a further aspect of the present invention is a therapeutic composition
• a therapeutic composition comprising one or more of the monoclonal antibodies to the particular Trichomonas antigen or species, as well as a pharmacologically acceptable carrier or diluent.
• Such compositions can be used to treat humans and/or animals afflicted with some form of Trichomonas infections and they are used in amounts effective to cure; an amount which will vary widely dependent upon the individ ⁇ ual being treated and the severity of the infec ⁇ tion.
• One or more of the monoclonal antibodies can be assembled into a diagnostic kit for use in diagnosing for the presence of an antigen, antigens, or species of Trichomonas in various specimens. It is also possible to use the broadly cross-reactive monoclonal antibody which can identify the genus Trichomonas alone or as part of a kit containing antibodies that can identify other bacterial genera or species of Trichomonas and/or other bacteria.
• kits In the past there have been difficulties in developing rapid kits because of undesirable cross-reactions of specimens with antiserum.
• the use of monoclonal antibodies can eliminate these problems and provide highly specific and rapid tests for diagnosis.
• a rapid and precise kit could replace or augment existing tests and permit early direct therapy using precise antibiotics. Avoiding multiple antibiotics or more expensive or hazardous antibiotics would represent substantial patient and hospital sav ⁇ ings.
• a kit can be used on an out-patient basis. At present the lack of a rapid test giving "same day" answers may delay the initiation _ of treatment until the patient has developed more severe symptoms or may require the initiation of more costly therapy in a sick patient. A test that would return results within an hour or two would be a substantial convenience to patients.
• kit could be included as a component in a comprehensive line of compatible immunoassay reagents sold to reference laboratories to detect the species and serotypes of Trichomonas.
• kits comprising at least one labeled monoclonal antibody against a particular Trichomonas antigen or species, as well as any appropriate stains, counterstains, or reagents.
• Specific antigens to be detected in this kit include the antigens of Trichomonas hominis (also designated as Tricho ⁇ monas hominis I, II, III, or IV), and Trichomonas vaginalis.
• Monoclonal diagnostics which detect the presence of Trichomonas antigens can also be used in periodic testing of water sources, food supplies and food processing operations.
• the present invention describes the use of the labelled monoclonal antibodies to determine the presence of a standard antigen
• the invention can have many applications in diagnosing the presence of antigens by determining whether specimens such as urine, blood, stool, water and milk contain the particular Trichomonas antigen. More particularly, the invention could be utilised as a public health and safety diagnostic aid, whereby specimens such as water or food could be tested for possible contamination.
• the invention will be further illustrated in connection with the following Examples which are set forth for the purposes of illustration only and not by way of limitation.
• DMEM Dulbecco's Modified Eagles Medium
• FCS Foetal Calf Serum
• PBS phosphate-buffered saline
• % T refers to vaccine concentration measured in a 1 cm light path
• Monoclonal antibodies of the present invention are prepared generally according to the method of Koehler and Milstein, Eur. J. Immunol. 6_ (1975) 292.
• EXAMPLE 1 A. Animal Immunisation
• Balb/c mice are injected with the organisms of
• mice Trichomnas vaginalis suspended in saline.
• the antigen is obtained from the Public Health Laboratory Service.
• the mice are given injections (0.05 ml 80% T vaccine) of vaccine, im (in CFA) , ip (in CFA) after 3 weeks, and iv (in PBS) after 3 more weeks.
• mice are bled approximately six days after the last injection and the serum tested for antibodies by assay.
• a conventional assay used for this serum titer testing is the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system.
• a positive titer of at least 10,000 a mouse is selected as a fusion donor and given a booster injection (0.02 ml 80% T vaccine) intravenously, three days prior to splenectomy.
• Spleen cells from the immune mice are harvested three days after boosting, by conventional techniques.
• the donor mouse selected is killed and surface-sterilised by immersion in 70% ethyl alcohol.
• the spleen is then removed and immersed in approximately 2.5 ml DMEM to which has been added 3% FCS.
• the spleen is then gently homogenised in a LUX homogenising tube until all cells have been released from the membrane, and the cells are washed in 5 ml 3% FCS-DMEM.
• the cellular debris is then allowed to settle and the spleen cell suspension placed in a 10 ml centrifuge tube.
• the debris is then rewashed in 5 ml 3% FCS-DMEM. 50 ml suspension are then made in 3% FCS-DMEM.
• the myeloma cell line used is NS0 (uncloned) , obtained from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, England.
• the myeloma cells are in the log growth phase, and rapidly dividing.
• Each cell line is washed using, as tissue culture medium, DMEM containing 3% FCS.
• the spleen cells are then spun down at the same time that a relevant volume of myeloma cells are spun down (room temperature for 7 minutes at 600 g) , and each resultant pellet is then separately resuspended in 10 ml 3% FCS-DMEM.
• a relevant volume of myeloma cells are spun down (room temperature for 7 minutes at 600 g)
• each resultant pellet is then separately resuspended in 10 ml 3% FCS-DMEM.
• 0.1 ml of the suspension is diluted to 1 ml and a haemacytometer with phase microscope is used.
• 0.1 ml of the suspension is diluted to 1 ml with Methyl Violet-citric acid solution, and a haemacytometer and light microscope are used to count the stained nuclei of the cells.
• the resultant cell pellet is placed in a 37°C water-bath.
• the wells are kept undisturbed, and cultured at 37°C in 9% C0_ air at approximately 100% humidity.
• the wells are analysed for growth, utilising the conventional inverted microscope procedure, after about 5 to 10 days.
• screening tests for the specific monoclonal antibody are made utilising the conventional enzyme immunoassay screening method described below. Somewhere around 10 days to 14 days after fusion, sufficient antibody against the antigen may develop in at least one well.
• cells are removed and cloned using the dilution method.
• dilution method dilutions of cell suspensions in 18% FCS-DMEM + Balb/c mouse macrophages were made to achieve 1 cell/well and half cell/well in a 96-well microtitre plate. The plates were incubated for 7-14 days at 37 C, 95% RH, 7-9% C0 2 until semi-confluent. The supernatants were then assayed for specific antibody by the standard enzyme immunosorbent assay.
• the clones may be assayed by the enzyme immunoassay method to determine antibody production. D. Monoclonal Selection
• the monoclonal antibodies from the clones are screened by the standard techniques for binding to the antigen, prepared as in the immunisation, and for specificity in a test battery of the class bearing different antigens. Specifically, a grid of microtiter plates containing a representative selective of organisms is prepared, boiled, and utilised as a template to define the specificity of the parent group. The EIA immunoassay noted above may be used.
• E. Antibody Production and Purification (2 alternatives) (1) Six Balb/c mice are primed with pristane and injected intraperitoneally with 10' cells of the monoclonal antibody specific against the antigen. The ascites fluid is harvested after the mice have reached the proper stage; the mice are swollen with fluid but still alive.
• the cells are then centrifuged at 1200 g for approximately 10 minutes, the cells discarded, and the antibody-rich ascites fluid collected.
• the fluid is titrated, as noted above, to establish presence and level of antibody, and purified.
• Purification is accomplished using the protein A - Sepharose method. More particularly, about 10 ml of the ascites fluid are filtered through glass wool and centrifuged at 30,000 g for 10 minutes. The ascites is then diluted with twice its own volume of cold phosphate buffer (0.1 M sodium phosphate, pH 8.2). The diluted ascites is loaded on to a 2 ml column of protein A - Sepharose which has previously been equilibrated with phosphate buffer. The column is washed with 40 ml phosphate buffer, and the monoclonal antibody is eluted with citrate buffer (0.1 M sodium citrate, pH 3.5) into sufficient 1M tris buffer, pH 9.0, to raise the pH immediately to about 7.5. The eluate is.dialysed in 2 x 1000 ml PBS at +4°C.
• citrate buffer 0.1 M sodium citrate, pH 3.5
• the fluid may then be titrated, as noted above, to establish presence and level of antibody, and purified by a combination of batch ion-exchange chromatography, ammonium sulphate precipitation and column ion-exchange (a possible alternative would be protein A - Sepharose) chromatography.
• the suspension is stirred for a further 30 minutes.
• the precipitate is then harvested by centrifugation at 10,000 g for 10 minutes.
• the precipitate is dissolved in a minimum volume of either cold phosphate/EDTA buffer (20mM sodium phosphate, lOmM EDTA, pH 7.5, + 0.02% sodium azide) for DEAE-cellulose chromatography, or phosphate buffer (O.lM sodium phosphate, pH 8.2 + 0.02% sodium azide) for protein A-Sepharose chromatography.
• the dissolved precipitate is dialysed versus 2 x 1000 ml of the dissolution buffer at +4°C, and the appropriate chromatography step carried out as previously described.
• the monoclonal antibody specific against the antigen, prepared as above, is linked to an enzyme, viz. highly-purified alkaline phosphatase.
• the one-step glutaraldehyde method or benzoquinone conjugation is used.
• 3 mg monoclonal antibody in abotft 1 ml of solution
• 10 mg alkaline phosphatase Sigma Type VII-T
• the volume is made up to 2.5 ml with PBS, and 25 -1 of a 20% glutaraldehyde in PBS solution are added.
• the conjugation mixture is left at room temperature for 1.5 hours. After this time, glutaraldehyde is removed by gel filtration on a Pharmacia PH-10 (Sephadex G-25 M) column, previously equilibrated in PBS.
• the conjugate is eluted with 3.5 ml PBS and then dialysed against 2 x 2000 ml of TRIS buffer (50 mM TRIS, 1 mM magnesium chloride, pH 8.0, plus 0.02% sodium azide) at +4°C. To the dialysed conjugate is added 1/lOth its own volume of 10% BSA in TRIS buffer. The conjugate is then sterile-filtered through a 0.22 ⁇ m membrane filter into a sterile amber vial and stored at +4°C.
• TRIS buffer 50 mM TRIS, 1 mM magnesium chloride, pH 8.0, plus 0.02% sodium azide
• Example 1 The general procedure of Example 1 may be followed to produce a monoclonal antibody broadly cross-reactive with an antigen of all species of the genus Trichomonas.
• Tests using the present invention are superior to existing tests, based on the following advantages: (i) greater accuracy; (ii) same day results, within an hour or two; (iii) reduction in amount of skilled labour required to administer laboratory procedures, resulting in reduced labour costs; (iv) reduction in laboratory time and space used in connection with tests, resulting in reduced overhead expenses; and (v) improved therapy based upon early, precise diagnosis.

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• 1984
  • 1984-10-19 GB GB848426461A patent/GB8426461D0/en active Pending
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