• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.537-546
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• 2015

Classical swine fever (CSF) is a highly contagious disease of pigs caused by CSF virus (CSFV). E2 is the major viral envelope protein of immune dominance that induces neutralizing antibodies and confers protection against CSFV infection. The B/C domains of E2 are variable among CSFV isolates, which could affect immunogenicity and binding to antibodies. We attempted to characterize the epitope recognized by a monoclonal antibody 2B6 (mAb-2B6) raised against the E2 B/C domains of the vaccine C-strain and to examine if mutations in the epitope region would affect antibody binding and viral neutralization. The epitope specific for mAb-2B6 recognition is linear, spanning five residues ⁷⁷⁴DGXNP⁷⁷⁸ in the B/C domains. The residue N777 is indispensable for the specificity. The epitope exists only in group 1 strains, but not in those of group 2. The recombinant viruses containing individual mutations on the epitope region lost the reactivity to mAb-2B6. The mutant virus RecC-N777S had low replication potential, about 10-fold decrease in the yield of progeny virus particles, whereas the mutant virus RecC-P778A reverted to proline upon continuous passaging. The mutations on the mAb-2B6 epitope region did not affect neutralization by anti-C-strain polyclonal sera from pigs. Deletion from aa774 covering the mAb-2B6 epitope, but not that from aa781, also affected binding with the polyclonal antibodies from vaccinated pigs, although the major binding region for the vaccinated antibodies is aa690-773.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.295-301
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• 2017

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT/A) is a neurotoxin that selectively attacks the peripheral cholinergic nerve endings. It is produced by Gram -positive, endospore-forming strict anaerobic bacteria, Clostridium botulinum. Since BoNT/A could be a biothreat agent, as well as a contaminator of food and water supplies, the development of sensitive assays for toxin detection and potent antitoxin for the treatment of intoxication is necessary. In this study, for the purpose of producing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that are capable of neutralizing Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A), scFv (single-chain variable domain fragment) libraries from the rabbit antisera against BoNT/A was fused to a human IgG. The resulting recombinant scFvIgG antibody protein was expressed in stable cell lines and was purified using a protein A affinity chromatography. The efficacy of scFvIgG mAb was confirmed by ELISA and was evaluated for the neutralization of BoNT/A in vivo. Such an in vivo toxin neutralization assay was performed using mice. Although scFvIgG antibody proteins (10 ug) failed to fully protect the mice challenged with BoNT/A (100,000 $LD_{50}$), it significantly prolonged the survival time. These results suggest that scFvIgG mAb may be capable of neutralizing BoNT/A single-chain variable domain fragment.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.651-657
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• 2019

Although smallpox was eradicated in 1980, it is still considered a potential agent of biowarfare and bioterrorism. Smallpox has the potential for high mortality rates along with a major public health impact, eventually causing public panic and social disruption. Passive administration of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is an effective intervention for various adverse reactions caused by vaccination and the unpredictable nature of emerging and bioterrorist-related infections. Currently, vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) is manufactured from vaccinia vaccine-boosted plasma; however, this production method is not ideal because of its limited availability, low specific activity, and risk of contamination with blood-borne infectious agents. To overcome the limitations of VIG production from human plasma, we isolated two human single-chain variable fragments (scFvs), (SC34 and SC212), bound to vaccinia virus (VACV), from a scFv phage library constructed from the B cells of VACV vaccine-boosted volunteers. The scFvs were converted to human IgG1 (VC34 and VC212). These two anti-VACV mAbs were produced in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) DG44 cells. The binding affinities of VC34 and VC212 were estimated by competition ELISA to $IC_{50}$ values of $2{\mu}g/ml$ (13.33 nM) and $22{\mu}g/ml$ (146.67 nM), respectively. Only the VC212 mAb was proven to neutralize the VACV, as evidenced by the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) result with a $PRNT_{50}$ of ~0.16 mg/ml (${\sim}1.07{\mu}M$). This VC212 could serve as a valuable starting material for further development of VACV-neutralizing human immunoglobulin for a prophylactic measure against post-vaccination complications and for post-exposure treatment against smallpox.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2008

Background: Members belonging to the interferon-lambda (IFN-${\lambda}$) family exert protective action against viral infection; however, the mechanisms of their action have remained elusive. To study IFN-${\lambda}$ biology, such as endocytosis of IFN-${\lambda}$, we produced monoclonal antibodies (Abs) against human IFN-${\lambda}$ and examined their usefulness. Methods: We purified recombinant human IFN-${\lambda}$1 expressed in Escherichia coli by using affinity columns. Then, we generated hybridoma cells by fusing myeloma cells with splenocytes from IFN-${\lambda}$1-immunized mice. For evaluating the neutralizing activity of the monoclonal Abs against IFN-${\lambda}$1, we performed RT-PCR for the MxA transcript. In order to study the binding activity of IFN-${\lambda}$ and the monoclonal Ab complex on HepG2 cells, we labeled the monoclonal Ab with rhodamine and determined the fluorescence intensity. Results: Four hybridoma clones secreting Abs specific to IFN-${\lambda}$1 were generated and designated as HL1, HL2, HL3, and HL4. All the Abs reacted with IFN-${\lambda}$1 in the denatured form as well as in the native form. Abs produced by HL1, HL3, and HL4 did not neutralize the induction of the MxA gene by IFN-${\lambda}$1. We also demonstrated the binding of the HL1 monoclonal anbitody and IFN-${\lambda}$ complex on HepG2 cells. Conclusion: Monoclonal Abs against IFN-${\lambda}$1 were produced. These Abs can be used to study the cellular binding and internalization of IFN-${\lambda}$.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2002

Recently, the rabies cases have been reported in Paju- and Yangju-gun, Gyeonggj province near Seoul metropolitan area. The Pukhansan national park, nearly located from the cities, is suspected to be a high risk area for incidence and spread of the rabies to metropolitan area. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence rate for rabies antibody of dogs near the Pukhansan national park and in some other districts in Seoul metropolitan city. From march to october 2001, a total of 306 serum samples were taken from dogs for breeding(189) md pet dogs(117) in 4 districts near the Pukhansan national park and other districts of Seoul. Rabies virus antibodies in sera were detected by neutralizing peroxidase - linked as say (NPLA). Of the 306 sera of dogs tested, 74 (24.2%) were positive to rabies virus antibody. The prevalence rates of rabies antibody in Pukhansan national park area and in the other districts of Seoul city were 23.7% and 25.3%, respectively There was no significant difference in the prevalence rate between these two districts. The prevalence rates of rabies antibody in pet dogs and dogs for breeding were 40.2% and 14.3% respectively. The prevalence rates of rabies antibodies in less than 1 year, 1∼<2 years, 2∼<3 years, and over 3 years old dogs were 14.5%, 22.4%, 32.6%, and 27.1%, respectively, and overall 24.2% in the dog population. In addition, we found that dogs less than 1 year old had lower antibody prevalence than those over 1 year old. It was concluded that enhancement of vaccination is important in the prevention of the rabies, and that rabies vaccines should not be less supplied than the population of the dog.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.528-533
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• 2007

In a previous study we generated an anti-Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) preS1 humanized antibody (HzKR127) that showed in vivo HBV-neutralizing activity in chimpanzees. However, the antigen-binding affinity of the humanized antibody may not be sufficient for clinical use and thus affinity maturation is required for better therapeutic efficacy. In this study, phage display technique was employed to increase the affinity of HzKR127. All six amino acid residues (Glu95-Tyr96-Asp97-Glu98-Ala99-Tyr100) in the heavy (H) chain complementary-determining region 3 (HCDR3) of HzKR127 were randomized and phage-displayed single chain Fv (scFv) library was constructed. After three rounds of panning, 12 different clones exhibiting higher antigen-binding activity than the wild type ScFv were selected and their antigen-binding specificity for the preS1 confirmed. Subsequently, five ScFv clones were converted to whole IgG and subjected to affinity determination. The results showed that two clones (B3 and A19) exhibited an approximately 6 fold higher affinities than that of HzKR127. The affinity-matured humanized antibodies may be useful in anti-HBV immunotherapy.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.343-350
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• 2001

The neutralization epitopes of the outer capsid protein VP4 of a porcine rotavirus, Gottfried strain, were studied using neutralizing monocolonal antibodies(N-MAbs). Eight N-MAbs which are specific for the VP4 of Gottfried strain were used for analyzing the antigenic sites of VP4. Three different approaches were used for this analysis; i)testing the serological reactivity of each N-MAb against different G and P types of human and animal rotavirusese ii) analyzing N-MAb-resistant viral escape mutants and iii) performing nucleotide sequence analysis of the VP4 gene of each N-MAb-resistant viral escape mutant. From experimental results, at least four antigenic sites(I, II, III, and IV) were identified. Antigenic site I recognized by N-MAbs 24B9, 23G10, and 26A2 was separated from antigenic site II recognized by N-MAbs 30H5, 32B3, and 29B3. However, these antigenic sites were overlapped with antigenic site III recognized by N-MAb 21A1. The other antigenic site IV recognized by N-MAb 16D2 was separated from antigenic sites I, II, and III.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.173-178
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• 2001

A monoclonal antibody (mAb) to the glucoprotein D (gD) of Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) was successfully generated by hybridoma technology and characterized. The mAb, SKS2v, recognized a gD antigen with an apparent molecular mass of 60kDa in a Western blot analysis. The isotype was determined by a sandwich ELISA to be IgG2a. HSV-2 exhibited major antigens of 36, 43, 46, 47, 60, 69, 81, 96, 109, 112, 159, and 227 kDa among 25 protein profiles in SDS-PAGE, and among these antigens, those of 60, 112, 125, and 227 kDa were immunodominant in a Western blot analysis using antisera, thereby indicating that they play a role in inducing neutralizing antibodies in HSV-2 infection. When reacted with Vero cells infected with HSV-1 and HSV-2 SKSv2 showed a reactivity to the surface of the infected cells, and a gD antigen of 60 kDa appeared to be expressed in both types of HSV.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.211-218
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• 1993

The effect of active immunization against porcine somatostatin (SRIF-14) on somatostation and somatotropin secretion profile in 18 gilts was investigated. Gilts were assigned to the following treatments: control (sham injection, n = 6); bovine serum albumin (BSA) (injection of BSA with bacterial protein adjuvant, n = 6); SRIF (injection of BSA-SRIF-14 conjugate with bacterial protein adjuvant n = 6). Serum SRIF and pST were assayed from the blood samples taken on day 7 after the last immunization injection. Anti-SRIF antibody titres were assayed in weekly samples two weeks after the initial immunization to one week after the last immunization. Results revealed that the immunization protocol used in the present investigation failed to produce antibodies capable of neutralizing endogenous somatostatin. In addition, the porcine somatotropin assay revealed no significant differences in baseline pST concentration, mean peak amplitude and number of peaks during a 24 h secretory period among SRIF, BSA and control treatment. There were also no differences in SRIF baseline concentration, peak amplitude, and number of peaks during a 24 h secretory period among any of the three treatments. Circulating concentrations of pST and pSRIF were highly correlated (r = -0.09). Furthermore, anti-SRIF antibody titre was not detected in the serum of the gilts actively immunized against SRIF. These data, collectively, suggest that the protocol employed in the present investigation for active immunization against SRIF is not an effective method for changing SRIF and pST secretion profiles of the gilt and thus to enhance performance.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.213-221
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• 2010

The results from a total of 412 blood samples consisted of 187 samples from regular visiting group (RV), 94 samples from first visiting group (FV), 52 samples from abandoned group (A), 54 samples from special breeder group (SB), and 25 samples from preliminary breeder group (PB) showed that RV(94.7%) and SB(88.9%) groups had the higher levels of protective antibody, but PB (36.0%) group revealed the lowest level. Among 96 blood samples with lower protective antibody levels, 14 samples (14.6%), 72 samples (75.0%) and 10 samples (10.4%) were below the protective antibody levels to distemper/parvo-virus, distemper only and parvovirus only, respectively. These results implied that antibody to parvovirus was well generated than that to distemper. Eighty six samples (20.9%) showed the protective antibody titer under 1:96 to distemper and 24 samples (5.8%), the protective antibody titer under 1:40 to parvovirus.