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Functional analysis of neutralizing antibodies against Clostridium perfringens epsilon-toxin.

Abstract
The Clostridium perfringens epsilon-toxin causes a severe, often fatal illness (enterotoxemia) characterized by cardiac, pulmonary, kidney, and brain edema. In this study, we examined the activities of two neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against the C. perfringens epsilon-toxin. Both antibodies inhibited epsilon-toxin cytotoxicity towards cultured MDCK cells and inhibited the ability of the toxin to form pores in the plasma membranes of cells, as shown by staining cells with the membrane-impermeant dye 7-aminoactinomycin D. Using an antibody competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), a peptide array, and analysis of mutant toxins, we mapped the epitope recognized by one of the neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to amino acids 134 to 145. The antibody competition ELISA and analysis of mutant toxins suggest that the second neutralizing monoclonal antibody also recognizes an epitope in close proximity to this region. The region comprised of amino acids 134 to 145 overlaps an amphipathic loop corresponding to the putative membrane insertion domain of the toxin. Identifying the epitopes recognized by these neutralizing antibodies constitutes an important first step in the development of therapeutic agents that could be used to counter the effects of the epsilon-toxin.
AuthorsMark S McClain, Timothy L Cover
JournalInfection and immunity (Infect Immun) Vol. 75 Issue 4 Pg. 1785-93 (Apr 2007) ISSN: 0019-9567 [Print] United States
PMID17261609 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)
Chemical References
  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Clostridium perfringens epsilon-toxin
  • Peptides
  • Dactinomycin
  • 7-aminoactinomycin D
Topics
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial (immunology)
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal (immunology)
  • Bacterial Toxins (genetics, immunology, metabolism)
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Membrane Permeability
  • Clostridium perfringens (immunology)
  • Dactinomycin (analogs & derivatives, metabolism)
  • Dogs
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Epitope Mapping
  • Mutation
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Peptides (immunology)

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