Enhancement of the antigen-binding capacity of incomplete IgG antibodies to Brucella melitensis through Fc region interactions with staphylococcal protein A

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10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Incomplete IgG anti-Brucella antibodies in human sera were detected using both a conventional ELISA and a modified method. In the ELISA procedure serum IgG was allowed to bind solid-phase B. melitensis antigen and, after washing, biotinylated staphylococcal protein A (BioSPA) was used as an Fc-specific tracer followed by streptavidin-HRP conjugate. In the modified method, serum IgG was co-incubated with a defined quantity of BioSPA in the presence of solid-phase antigen. BioSPA bound Fc regions of serum IgG irrespective of antigen specificity whilst antibodies which were specific for Brucella bound the solid-phase antigen through their Fab regions and were detected subsequently by streptavidin-HRP. IgG anti-Brucella antibodies were detectable with a 5-25-fold increase in sensitivity when they were thus 'activated' in situ with BioSPA. In contrast with the IgG antibodies of untreated human sera, BioSPA-activated IgG showed strong antigen binding capacity and resisted the dissociation effect of the chaotropic agent, guadinene hydrochloride. In similar experiments, BioSPA did not enhance the affinity of IgG anti-Salmonella antibodies of human sera towards S. typhi antigen. The activating effect of BioSPA on the incomplete IgG anti-Brucella antibodies from patients with brucellosis possibly involves a re-orientation of Fab sites.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)251-257
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Immunological Methods
Volume124
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 30 1989

Keywords

  • Avidin-Biotin ELISA
  • Brucellosis
  • Incomplete IgG
  • Protein A

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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