1,721,103 research outputs found

    Absolute values of ras p21 defined by direct binding liquid competition radioimmunoassays.

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    Several distinct and high-conserved genes comprise the ras gene family of rodents and humans, i.e., rodent Harvey and Kirsten, and human Harvey, Kirsten and neuroblastoma. Transformation, either by a point-mutation resulting in a change in one amino acid of the 21 kDa ras gene product (p21), or by increased expression of ras p21, has been demonstrated to be mediated by members of this gene family. We report here the development of direct binding liquid competition radioimmunoassays for the detection and quantitation of the ras oncogene and proto-oncogene products. Using these radioimmunoassays and ras p21 purified from Escherichia coli containing the full-length T24 mutant human Harvey ras gene protein product as a standard, we have defined the actual amount of ras p21 per micrograms of total cellular protein, or per cell, in various ras transformed and 'normal' mammalian cell lines. One of the radioimmunoassays developed is group-specific, since the antigenic determinant recognized is shared by both the point-mutated and proto-forms of Harvey, Kirsten and neuroblastoma members of the ras gene family, while the second may be termed type-selective, since it recognizes an antigenic determinant localized primarily on the Harvey ras p21. Both radioimmunoassays are interspecies, since they detect a ras p21 antigenic determinant common to cells of human and rodent origin. These studies thus describe the first means for defining absolute values of any oncogene or proto-oncogene protein product. The assays described, when used in combination with specific c-DNA probes to define specific ras proto-oncogenes or point-mutated oncogenes being expressed, will now permit truly quantitative analyses of ras p21 expression in experimental cell culture systems, animal models and human biopsy material

    Serological and biochemical characterization of recombinant baculovirus carcinoembryonic antigen

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    Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a glycosylated protein of M, 180 kDa, is one of the most widely used human tumor markers. A majority of gastrointestinal cancers as well as breast and nonsmall cell lung carcinomas express CEA. We have previously described a recombinant baculovirus BVCEA-140 expressing the full-length human CEA and a variant, BVCEA-16, that encodes only the NH2-terminal domain, as well as a recombinant (BVNCA) expressing the closely related molecule nonspecific cross-reactive antigen (NCA). We have now compared a panel of 24 anti-CEA and anti-NCA monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) for their ability to bind to these recombinant CEA and NCA proteins, as well as with a new 60 kDa subgenomic form designated BVCEA-60. The epitope mapping studies indicate that all the CEA specific MAbs can recognize BVCEA-140. We also compared the sugar composition of BVCEA-140 to native CEA, using a lectin-linked immunoradiometric assay. The results demonstrated that both the native and recombinant baculovirus CEA contain simple high-mannose carbohydrates as well as biantennary and biantennary hybrid complexes. However, native CEA also contains triantennary and tetraantennary complex sugars, while the recombinant CEA molecule does not. Immunogenicity of the recombinant CEA molecules was demonstrated in mice. ELISA and Western blot analyses were used to determine the cross-reactivity of the anti-CEA sera. Mice immunized with BVCEA-140 elicit antibodies that are reactive to native CEA. When the BVCEA-16 was used as an immunogen, the antisera failed to detect native CEA or BVCEA-140. These studies demonstrate that minor sugar differences exist between native and baculovirus-derived CEA. However, epitope mapping with a panel of 24 anti-CEA MAbs (recognizing at least 10 CEA epitopes) stowed virtual immunologic identity between these two molecules. Moreover, BVCEA-140 appears to be a more potent humoral immunogen in mice than native CEA. These purified recombinant proteins can thus serve as standards in CEA serum assays for the possible detection and characterization of cell-mediated immune responses to CEA and as a potential source of immunogen (primary or for boosting) for active specific immunotherapy protocols of human carcinomas

    Baculovirus expression of a functional single-chain immunoglobulin and its IL-2 fusion protein

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    The baculovirus expression system has been used for the production of a variety of proteins, including antibodies. Two single-gene constructs encoding single-chain immunoglobulins have recently been developed. The antibody employed was monoclonal antibody (MAb) CC49 which reacts with the pancarcinoma antigen, tumor associated glycoprotein, TAG-72. One, single-chain construct designated SCA Delta C(L)C(H)1 (SCIg), consists of the CC49 sFv covalently joined to the human Fc (gamma 1) through the hinge region. The other, SCA Delta C(L)C(H)1-IL-2 (SCIg-IL-2), has a human IL-2 molecule attached to the carboxyl end of the SCIg. These constructs have been used to test the feasibility of producing biologically active antibodies using the baculovirus expression system. Both constructs have been succesfully expressed in insect cells and purified. The baculovirus recombinant single-chain antibodies have been designated, bV-SCA Delta C(L)C(H)1 (bV-SCIg) and bV-SCA Delta C(L)C(H)1-IL-2 (bV-SCIg-IL-2) they have been shown to be secreted in the culture supernatant as dimeric molecules of approximately 115 kDa and 140 kDa, respectively. The specificity and antibody dependent cellular cytolytic activity of the baculovirus recombinant single-chain antibodies were shown to be similar to that of the myeloma derived molecules. Glycosylation analysis showed that baculovirus derived proteins were N-glycosylated, but carried few if any high mannose residues. The biological activity of the IL-2 moiety was retained in bV-SCIg-IL-2, as evidenced by its stimulatory effect on the proliferation of the IL-2 dependent cell line HT-2. The observation that a significantly shorter time is required to develop baculovirus recombinant molecules as compared to myeloma derived molecules and that insect cells express single chain MAbs at acceptable levels may have implications for the production of these molecules for clinical use

    In vivo comparison of CHX-DTPA ligand isomers in athymic mice bearing carcinoma xenografts

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    Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) labeled with radiometallonuclides via metal chelators are being investigated in the laboratory for use in clinical trials. The biodistribution of 111In- and 88Y-labeled antibody (MAb B72.3) using two isomeric forms (CHX-A and CHX-B) of the 2-(p-isothiocyanatobenzyl)-cyclohexyl-DTPA was compared in athymic mice bearing LS-174T tumors, human colon carcinoma xenografts. CHX-(A or B)-125I-DTPA-B72.3 was co-injected in all athymic mice to assess if the chelate conjugation altered the properties of MAb B72.3. In vitro studies demonstrated maintenance of integrity and immunoreactivity for both radioimmunoconjugates. The in vivo analysis, however, indicated major differences between the two isomer forms. In fact, the 88Y-CHX-A-DTPA radioimmunoconjugate demonstrated over the 7-day study period, a more efficient and stable tumor localization as well as a slower blood clearance rate than the CHX-B-DTPA chelate conjugate, suggesting a greater in vivo stability. Differences were also evident in critical normal organ uptake: no significant increase in liver- and spleen- or bone-to-blood ratios was observed when the CHX-A-DTPA chelate was labeled with indium or yttrium. The results described here demonstrate that the CHX-A-DTPA chelate conjugate can be considered more suitable than the CHX-B-DTPA isomer form when radiometallonuclides are coupled to an MAb

    Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis

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    The present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
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