Title
Generation and characterization of a recombinant chimeric protein (rCpLi) consisting of B-cell epitopes of a dermonecrotic protein from Loxosceles intermedia spider venom
Date Issued
07 June 2013
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Mendes T.M.
Oliveira D.
Figueiredo L.F.M.
Machado-de-Avila R.A.
Duarte C.G.
Dias-Lopes C.
Guimarães G.
Felicori L.
Minozzo J.C.
Universidad Federal de Minas Gerais
Abstract
A chimeric protein was constructed expressing three epitopes of LiD1, a dermonecrotic toxin from the venom of Loxosceles intermedia spider. This species is responsible for a large number of accidents involving spiders in Brazil. We demonstrated that the chimeric protein (rCpLi) generated is atoxic and that antibodies previously developed in rabbits against synthetic epitopes reactive with rCpLi in ELISA and immunoblot assays. The antibody response in rabbits against the rCpLi was evaluated by ELISA and we have detected an antibody response in all immunized animals. Overlapping peptides covering the amino acid sequence of the rCpLi were synthesized on a cellulose membrane, and their recognition by rabbit anti-rCpLi serum assessed. Three different antigenic regions were identified. The percentage of inhibition of the dermonecrotic, hemorrhagic and edematogenic activities caused by the recombinant protein LiD1r in naïve rabbits was assessed by pre-incubation with anti-rCpLi antibodies. Anti-rCpLi induced good dermonecrotic and hemorrhagic protection. The levels of protection were similar to the antiboides anti-LiD1r. In summary, we have developed a polyepitope recombinant chimeric protein capable of inducing multiple responses of neutralizing antibodies in a rabbit model. This engineered protein may be a promising candidate for therapeutic serum development or vaccination. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.
Start page
2749
End page
2755
Volume
31
Issue
25
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Inmunología
Toxicología
Subjects
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-84878353021
PubMed ID
Source
Vaccine
ISSN of the container
0264410X
Sponsor(s)
Funding text
This research was supported by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Brazil – CAPES (Toxinologia No. 23038000825/2011-63 ), Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil (FAPEMIG) and by funds of the INCTTOX Program of Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Brazil (CNPq). We would like to express our gratitude to Dra. Jessica Mc Cormack for revising this manuscript.
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus