PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

C Devaux

Publications and source records attributed to C Devaux.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Monoclonal antibodies to toxin II from the scorpion Androctonus australis Hector: further characterization of epitope specificities and neutralizing capacities.

The epitope specificities of two previously prepared monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to the toxin II from Androctonus australis Hector were characterized. Neither mAb 4C1 nor mAb 3C5 was able to recognize any of the 58 overlapping synthetic heptapeptides which cover the whole sequence of toxin II. Thus, both mAbs probably recognize conformation-dependent epitopes at the surface of the toxin. Experiments were designed to check whether or not the two mAbs, or their Fab fragments, were able to bind simultaneously to the toxin. The results indicated that the epitopes recognized by the two antibodies are probably close together at the surface of the toxin, thus preventing the simultaneous binding of both mAbs to a single toxin molecule. Given the proximity of the two epitopes and the fact that mAb 4C1 is known to be a neutralizing antibody, the capacity of mAb 3C5 to inhibit the toxic effects of the toxin was re-evaluated in C57BL/6 mice. A clear, but weak, neutralizing effect was found, consistent with the low affinity binding of the mAb in the proximity of a neutralizing site of the toxin.

Animals

Subtyping of human immunodeficiency virus isolates with a panel of monoclonal antibodies: identification of conserved and divergent epitopes on p17 and p25 core proteins.

We have investigated the feasibility and significance of subtyping of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) isolates with monoclonal antibodies (mAb) raised against the core proteins of HIV. A panel of 37 mAb tested for reactivity with HIV1 oligopeptides was used to analyse the antigenic relatedness among 14 HIV isolates which included 12 isolates of HIV1 from different geographical origins and 2 isolates of HIV2. Three out of these 37 mAb reacted with conserved epitopes expressed by all 14 HIV isolates tested. These reagents which included 2 mAb reacting with the 285-310 amino acid sequence of p25 and 1 mAb reacting with an epitope of p25 not mapped by the peptides' approach, also reacted with a non-human primate lentivirus. Five mAb reacting either with the 11-25 or 121-132 amino acid sequences of p17 or the 302-320 amino acid sequence of p25 reacted with strain-specific epitopes. The other 29 mAb reacted with polymorphic epitopes and thereby define subfamily and subtype-specific markers.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Clonal analysis of murine B cell response to the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV1)-gag p17 and p25 antigens.

The antigenicity of HIV-gag p17 and p25 proteins was analyzed using a panel of 52 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) derived from 17 independent fusion experiment protocols performed in 12 different laboratories. These mAb were tested for their capacity to bind peptides corresponding to sequences of HIV1-BRU-gag p17 and p25. Thirty-five overlapping peptides (P1 to P35) totally covering the p17 and p25 proteins were used. This study allowed us to identify four immunodominant regions inducing B cell response, two on p17 corresponding to P2 and P13 (amino acids 11-25 and 121-132, respectively) and two on p25 corresponding to P21 and P28-P29-P30 (a.a. 201-218 and 285-320 respectively). According to secondary structure predictions, peptides P2 and P21 contained hydrophilic alpha helix folded regions whereas P13 sequence presented a beta turn propensity. These regions and the P28-30 region were also predicted to be easily accessible to mAb. Several other p25-derived peptides: P15 (a.a. 142-156), P16 (a.a. 148-162), P19 (a.a. 176-192), P22 (a.a. 219-233) and P23 (a.a. 233-253) were recognized by mAb. No p17-derived peptide other than P2, P13 and P12 (a.a. 111-123) was found to react with mAb. Cross-blocking studies between mAb, suggested the existence of more than four distinct epitopic areas on p17 and eight on p25.

Amino Acid Sequence

Poly(L-lysine)-conjugated oligonucleotides promote sequence-specific inhibition of acute HIV-1 infection.

Previously, we have reported that conjugation of antisense oligonucleotides to poly(L-lysine) (PLL) lowers their inhibitory concentration in several biological models. We have now tested these conjugates for inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication. PLL-conjugated oligonucleotides complementary to the translation initiation site of Tat protein protect cells from the cytopathic effect of HIV-1 in acute infection assays. The EC50 of conjugates is approximately 0.15 microM, which represents a strong reduction in concentration as compared to nonconjugated oligonucleotides (EC50 = 20 microM). In contrast with most reports in the literature, we have observed sequence specific antiviral effects with PLL conjugates. This was particularly noteworthy in antiviral experiments performed with HIV-1 isolates presenting heterogeneity in the 5' end of the tat mRNA sequence. Two mismatches at the target site were sufficient to reduce very significantly the antiviral activity of the conjugates but did not modify the effect of nonconjugated oligonucleotides. Unlike free oligonucleotides, PLL-conjugated ones do not interfere with virus penetration and/or reverse transcription as demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of viral DNA.

Animals

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction data of the Fab fragment of a monoclonal antibody against apamin, a bee venom neurotoxin.

Fab fragments of anti-apamin monoclonal antibodies have been purified to homogeneity and crystallized. The crystals belong to the monoclinic space group P21 with cell dimensions a = 99.0 +/- 0.3 A, b = 137.1 +/- 0.4 A, c = 76.0 +/- 0.2 A and beta = 92.9 +/- 0.9 degrees. They most likely contain four molecules in the asymmetric unit (Vm = 2.39 A3/Da). The possibility of the existence of non-crystallographic symmetry is discussed.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Characterization of monoclonal antibodies identifying type and strain-specific epitopes of human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

Several hybridoma cell lines were raised against the highly cytopathic Zaïrian isolate of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), HIV1-NDK. The specificity of the secreted monoclonal antibodies (mAb) was demonstrated by immunoblotting, radioimmunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence. Two hybridoma cell lines secreted mAb reacting with independent epitopes of the NDK p17 capsid protein and its precursors. One, RL16.24.5, is specific for the NDK isolate whereas the other, RL16.45.1, along with anti-p25 RL16.30.1 mAb, bind all HIV1 isolates but not HIV2. Together with the previously described mAb RL4.72.1 those reagents define lentivirus subfamily (HIV1, HIV2, SIV) type/subtype (HIV1) and strain (HIV1-NDK) specific epitopes expressed on HIV1-NDK core proteins. The last mAb RL16.76.1 binds the env gene products gp160 and gp120.

Animals

Expression of an immunogenic region of HIV by a filamentous bacteriophage vector.

Vectors derived from the Escherichia coli filamentous phage, fd-tet, expressing parts of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gag genes were constructed and analyzed. The immunoreactive domain of HIV Gag antigens was produced in the form of a fusion protein, with a phage minor coat protein, called protein III, playing an important role in phage infectivity. A micropanning procedure, utilizing the strong affinity of biotinylated antibody to streptavidin, was applied for the selection of clones. A simple preparation procedure consisting of polyethyleneglycol precipitation of the recombinant phage from the E. coli supernatant allowed us to detect HIV antigens by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cloned FUSE-gag, as isolated using anti-Gag RL4.72.1 monoclonal antibody (mAb), contained a nucleotide sequence coding for 91 amino acids of HIV Gag p24. It specifically reacted with the mAb in the ELISA. Construction of the mAb-selectable phages permitted localization of epitopes for mAb. Infectivity of the phage clone was specifically neutralized by the anti-HIV mAb. Immunoelectroblotting analysis of recombinant phages revealed the presence of an about 65-kDa band reacting with anti-HIV mAb. This Mr corresponded to the size of the fused form of the FUSE 1 protein III. Human sera from HIV-infected and uninfected individuals reacted with recombinant protein III, as well as the original form of protein III.

Amino Acid Sequence

Anti-HLA antigen class I heavy chain monoclonal antibodies inhibit human immunodeficiency virus production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

We have examined the capacity of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) specific for HLA class I heavy chain to interfere with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replicative cycle in human T cells. Among six anti-HLA class I heavy chain-specific mAb assayed, two mAb, RL4-24-6 and W6/32, were able to delay HIV1 and HIV2 cytopathic effect on MT4 cells, a human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLVI) immortalized T cell line, mAb RL4-24-6, chosen for further studies, also inhibited HIV1 production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and this inhibition was dose dependent. However, no effect was observed when mAb treatment was performed with either the CEM or Jurkat T cell lines. Our investigation of how RL4-24-6 interferes with the HIV replicative cycle revealed that: (a) incubation of PBMC with RL4-24-6 prior to HIV exposure did not change the susceptibility of these cells to HIV infection, (b) syncytia formation between CD4+ MT4 cells and HIV chronically infected PBMC was not affected by RL4-24-6 and (c) treatment of freshly infected PBMC with RL4-24-6, however, inhibited viral production. These data, together with those we previously reported using anti-beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m) mAb, suggest that anti-HLA class I/beta 2m complex mAb can modify an early step of the HIV replicative cycle without affecting the viral entry.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Identification of a major human immunodeficiency virus-1 reverse transcriptase epitope recognized by mouse CD4+ T lymphocytes.

Delineation of major T helper cell recognition sites of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) proteins represents one important step in the design of an efficient acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) vaccine. Towards this end, we have explored the immunogenicity of HIV-1BRU proteins in the mouse model. Preliminary experiments revealed that inbred mice primed with whole inactivated HIV-1 developed strong CD4+ T cell proliferative responses to a variety of recombinant viral proteins including reverse transcriptase (RT). To characterize further the mouse T cell responses to this protein, several Ad- or Ed-restricted T hybridoma cells (THC) were established from BALB/c or DBA/2 mice. These THC were tested for their capacity to recognize a series of 15-mer synthetic overlapping peptides spanning three segments of HIV-1 RT that had been preselected on the basis of either alpha-helicity, amphipaticity, and/or for containing rare amino acid sequence patterns. Peptides corresponding to a C-terminal region (residues 528-560) of RT were recognized by several of the THC established from RT-primed mice. Furthermore, a non-alpha-helical peptide from this region (A3, 528-543) was capable of priming mice with different H-2 haplotypes for both peptide A3 and native RT CD4+ T cell recognition. In addition to the recently identified RT determinant 203-219 capable of triggering both mouse and human CD8+ CTL, the present results identify a good candidate for an immunodominant RT epitope capable of eliciting RT-specific T helper cell responses.

Animals

Surface CD4 density remains constant on lymphocytes of HIV-infected patients in the progression of disease.

In an attempt to question the influence of circulating virus, soluble gp120 or CD4 self-reacting antibodies upon results of CD4+ T-cell immunophenotyping in AIDS patients, five anti-CD4 mAb defining several epitopes of the V1 and V2 domains of the CD4 molecule were used to analyse the epitopic density of CD4 on lymphocytes of seropositive patients taken at stages II, III and IV of HIV infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC, Atlanta) classification. Our results demonstrate that each CD4 epitopic density measured on circulating lymphocytes remains constant at a mean level of 46,000 epitopes per cell whatever the stage of the disease and whatever the serum p25 concentration. These data provide evidence that antibody accessibility to several CD4 epitopes is not altered by putative interactions between CD4 molecules and circulating virus, soluble gp120 or anti-CD4 autoantibodies. If such binding events, as expected, do occur in vivo, they are of too low a magnitude to influence the immunophenotyping. Furthermore, we show that mAb specific for different epitopes in the V1 and V2 domains of the CD4 molecule can be used interchangeably for the biological followup of the CD4+ cell population in blood samples of HIV-infected patients.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Structure of adenovirus fibre. I. Analysis of crystals of fibre from adenovirus serotypes 2 and 5 by electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography.

An analysis by electron microscopy in amorphous ice and X-ray diffraction of four types of three-dimensional crystals of adenovirus fibre is presented. Fibre from adenovirus type 2 (Ad2) crystallizes in two forms depending on whether it is native or cleaved near the N terminus at Tyr17. Fibre from Ad5 also crystallizes in two forms, both of which contained fibre cleaved at Tyr17. Analysis of the packing of the fibres in each of these crystals suggests that the overall length of the fibre may be considerably longer (about 350 to 370 A) than previously reported. Crystals of cleaved Ad2 fibre are of sufficient quality to be characterized by X-ray diffraction. They are of space group C2 and cell dimensions a = 134.4 A, b = 77.6 A, c = 539.4 A, beta = 92.7 degrees. These crystals are remarkable in that, despite being monoclinic, the ab plane forms a perfect hexagonal lattice. This is explained by a trigonal packing of the trimeric fibre heads in the crystal. A similar feature is found for one type of Ad5 crystal, although the hexagonal lattice is 12% smaller. The crystals of cleaved Ad2 show very strong meridional intensity at a Bragg spacing of 4.4 A and weaker diffuse intensity corresponding to layer-lines of spacing 26.4 A. This must reflect the quasiperiodicity of the structure of the fibre shaft, which is apparent in the primary sequence. The occurrence of these features combined with the new determination of the length of the fibre (see also the accompanying paper) require a reappraisal of the cross-beta model of the fibre shaft proposed by Green et al.

Adenoviridae

Characterization of monoclonal antibodies directed against distinct conserved epitopes of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 core proteins.

Two mouse hybridoma cell lines secreting antibodies to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) p25 major core protein and its precursors p55 and p41, were developed after immunization with the highly cytopathic Zaïrian HIV-1 isolate, NDK. These monoclonal antibodies also react with the gag gene products from HIV-1-BRU prototype and present cross reaction with HIV-2-ROD, and SIV-AGM. They map into topographically distinct areas of p25 and define epitopic regions topographically separated from those recognized by four other anti-p25 mAb suggesting the existence of at least 6 spatially distinct epitopic regions on HIV-1-p25 core protein.

Animals

An early postinfection signal mediated by monoclonal anti-beta 2 microglobulin antibody is responsible for delayed production of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

We recently found (C. Devaux, J. Boucraut, G. Poirier, P. Corbeau, F. Rey, M. Benkirane, B. Perarneau, F. Kourilsky, and J.C. Chermann, submitted for publication) a latency in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 cytopathic effect in the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I immortalized T-cell line MT4 that was mediated by anti-beta 2 microglobulin (beta 2m) monoclonal antibodies (MAb). Here we describe a delay in viral particle production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) that was mediated by three (B1-1G6, B2-62-2, and HC11-151-1) of four anti-beta 2m MAb tested, the nonefficient MAb (C21-48A) being specific for an epitope on beta 2m that was masked by association with the human leukocyte antigen class I heavy chain. Experiments were designed to determine the mechanism of interference. PBMC incubated with anti-beta 2m MAb before viral exposure were not protected from HIV infection. In addition, anti-beta 2m MAb were not efficient in preventing syncytium formation between HIV-infected PBMC and CD4-positive MT4 cells. In contrast, anti-beta 2m MAb treatment of freshly infected PBMC significantly delayed HIV production in these cells. The window of cell sensitivity to anti-beta 2m MAb treatment took place during a very early post-HIV-binding stage. The possible mechanism of anti-beta 2m MAb action is discussed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Differences in the release of 5'-nucleotidase and alkaline phosphatase from plasma membrane of several cell types by PI-PLC.

1. We have compared the effect of phosphatidyl inositol specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) on the attachment of both 5'-nucleotidase and alkaline phosphatase to the liver plasma membrane from different species. 2. Our results demonstrate differences in the susceptibilities of both enzymes to PI-PLC treatment in relation to their origin. 3. These results were confirmed by immunoblotting using polyclonal anti-5'-nucleotidase antibodies. 4. In addition, in a single animal, susceptibility of both enzymes to PI-PLC treatment is different from one tissue to another. 5. The different percentages of released enzymes could be explained either by a polymorphism in the anchoring of these proteins at the cell surface membrane, or by a different steric hindrance or environment at the cleavage site itself.

5'-Nucleotidase

Establishment and characterization of mouse thymic epithelial cell lines.

Primary stromal cell cultures from fetal day-16 thymuses of Swiss mice were developed using a combination of D-valine-containing DMEM and Ham's F-12 medium supplemented with epidermal growth factor, insulin and cortisone. Using cloning cylinders and subsequent limiting dilution techniques, we obtained two clones, MTE-1 and MTE-2. The presence of cytokeratin filaments established their epithelial origin. These cells expressed class I and class II MHC antigens after induction by gamma-interferon, and lacked conventional lymphoid cell-surface markers. Their ability to form rosettes with thymocytes should allow us to identify cell-surface antigens involved in thymocyte-epithelial cell interaction. Moreover, these lines will be used to set up in vitro thymocyte maturation assays.

Animals

Evidence that murine hematopoietic cell subset marker J11d is attached to a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol membrane anchor.

Glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (G-PI) has been shown to serve as membrane anchor for cell surface molecules such as Thy-1, Ly-6-controlled ThB and Qa antigens. Here, we present several lines of evidence indicating that the hematopoietic cell lineage (i.e. thymocytes, B cell subset and red blood cells) marker defined by the rat monoclonal antibody J11d is also a G-PI-linked structure. First, surface expression of the J11d-defined molecules, and that of the related antigen B2A2, was found to be specifically reduced by treatment of thymocytes and B lymphoma or hybridoma cells with excess of Staphylococcus aureus PI-specific phospholipase C; this enzyme also solubilizes a 35-40-kDa material from erythrocyte microsomal membranes corresponding to the predominant J11d-reactive red cell surface molecules. Second, Thy-1- mutants of the BW5147, T1M1, S1A or S49 murine T lymphoma cells of the complementary classes A, B, C and E (i.e. shown to be defective in the enzymatic machinery that posttranslationally modify Thy-1 molecules) also lack J11d, or express it at a very low level. Although directed at a G-PI-linked structure, the J11d monoclonal antibody, unlike other reagents to Thy-1 or Ly-6-controlled antigens, failed to induce thymocyte proliferation even in the presence of phorbol myristate acetate and cross-linker monoclonal antibody.

Animals