• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.335-338
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• 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic, triggered by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has not only impacted human health on a global scale but also raised concerns about the vulnerability of a wide array of animals that are in close contact with humans. Particularly, the potential for infection and the subsequent immune response in domestic pets such as dogs and cats remain largely unexplored under natural living conditions. In this study, we have undertaken the task of detecting and tracking the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in a small cohort of household pets-specifically, two dogs and two cats. Employing techniques such as the indirect ELISA and plaque reduction neutralization tests, we observed that the neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in these animals were maintained for a duration of up to six months following their initial positive test result. This duration mirrors the antibody response documented in human cases of COVID-19, suggesting a comparable post-infection immune response timeline between humans and these domestic animals.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.105-111
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• 2010

Rabies virus which belongs to the genus Lyssavirus of the family Rhabdoviridae is known as a highly neurotropic virus and causes fatal encephalitis accompanied by severe neurological symptoms in almost all mammals, including humans. In this study, monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against rabies virus were produced, characterized and applications of MAbs as diagnostic reagents were assessed Spleen and inguinal lymph node cells from Balb/c mouse immunized with purified rabies virus were fused with SP2/O myeloma cells using polyethylene glycol (PEG) and hybridoma cells producing rabies virus-specific MAbs were screened by an indirect fluorescent antibody test. A total of ten MAbs were produced against rabies virus. The protein specificity and neutralizing activity of MAbs were determined by Western blot analysis and fluorescent antibody virus neutralization test, respectively. As a result, two MAbs, 5G3 and 6H4 had specificity for nucleoprotein (N protein) and two other MAbs, 5B1 and 5C1 had neutralizing activity for rabies virus. Some MAbs recognized the rabies virus-infected bovine brain stem cells by immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay. In conclusion, it was confirmed that MAbs produced in this study were rabies virusspecific and could be used as reliable diagnostic reagents for the detection of rabies virus.

• BMB Reports
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.483-492
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• 2000

The Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) strain F glycoprotein H (gH) gene in the pHLB-4 plasmid was recombinated into a baculovirus expression vector (lacZ-HcNPV) to construct a recombinant virus GH-HcNPV expressing gH. The sequences of gH and its expression were analyzed. The gH gene was located in the 6.41 kb BglII fragment. The open reading frame (ORF) of the gH gene was 2,517 bp and codes 838 amino acid residues. Insect cells infected with this recombinant virus synthesized a high level of the matured and gX-gH fusion protein with approximately 112 kDa. The fusion gH protein was localized on the membrane of the insect cells as seen by using immunofluorescence assay and accumulated in the cultured media by the SDS-PAGE and immunoprecipitation assays. The amino acid sequence presents additional characteristics compatible with the structure of a viral glycoprotein: signal peptide, putative glycosylation sites and a long C-terminal transmembrane sequence. Antibodies raised in mice to this recombinant protein recognized viral gH and neutralized the infectivity of HSV-1 in vitro. These results demonstrate that it is possible to produce a mature protein by gene transfer in eukaryotic cells, and indicate the utility of the HcNPV-insect cell system for producing and characterizing eukaryotic proteins. Furthermore, the neutralizing antibodies would appear to protect mice against HSV; accordingly, this particular recombinant protein may be useful in the development of a subunit vaccine.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.219-228
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• 2009

The genomic and subgenomic RNAs of fish nodavirus encode the four proteins, protein A, capsid protein, non-structural protein B1 and B2. In this study, we describe the immune response of olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus immunized with live fish nodavirus or recombinant capsid protein, non-structural protein B1 and B2 expressed in E. coli. Nodavirus-infected flounder produced antibodies to capsid protein, B1 and B2 and nodavirus-neutralizing activities were detected in the serum of the nodavirus-infected flounder. The flounder were immunized against the three recombinant proteins of fish nodavirus and the sera from these immunized fishes were assayed for nodavirus-specific antibody by ELISA and a neutralization test. In the immunized flounder, all three recombinant proteins induced the production of similar levels of antibody, but only the antibody to capsid protein significantly neutralized nodavirus. These results indicate that all three nodaviral proteins are immunogenic in flounder, but only the capsid protein can induce neutralizing antibody against nodavirus.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.161-166
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• 2009

Human erythropoietin(EPO) is a glycoprotein that enhances red blood cell production by stimulating proliferation and differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. Patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD) suffer from anemia caused by reduced production of EPO in the kidney. Recombinant human EPO protein has been used successfully for the treatment of anemia associated with CKD. Recently, attention has been paid to the development of side effect of EPO, pure red cell aplasia(PRCA), in some patients with CKD. PRCA is a rare disorder of erythropoiesis that leads to a severe anemia due to an almost complete cessation of red blood cell production. EPO-related PRCA is caused by the production of EPO-neutralizing antibodies(Abs) that eliminate the biological activity of EPO as well as endogenous EPO in patients undergoing therapy. Since 1988, almost 200 cases worldwide have been reported with Ab-positive PRCA after receiving EPO therapeutics. The underlying mechanisms of the breaking of immune tolerance to self-EPO have been investigated. Modification of formulation, organic compounds of container closures, and route of administration has been suggested for the possible mechanism of increased immunogenicity of EPO. A number of assays have been used to detect Abs specific to EPO. These assays are generally grouped into two major categories: binding Ab assays and neutralizing Ab assays(bioassays). There are several types of binding Ab assays, including radioimmunoprecipitation assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the BIAcore biosensor assay. In vitro cell-based bioassays have been utilized for the detection of neutralizing Abs. Finally, the recent experience with anti-EPO Abs may have considerable implications for the future development and approval of EPO preparations. Also, considering that millions of patients are being treated with EPO, clinicians need to be aware of signs and consequences of this rare but severe clinical case.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.377-392
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• 1987

Monoclonal antibody to the Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin(ST) was produced to develop a rapid and convenient diagnostic method to the ST. The toxin was purified from culture supernatant of enterotoxigenic E. coli O148H28($ST^+/LT^+$) and conjugated to bovine serum albumin(BSA). The ST-BSA conjugate was used to immunize BALB/c mice and the immune spleen cells from these mice were fused with $P3{\times}63$ Ag8.V653 plasmacytoma cells. Hybridomas were screened by ELISA and positive hybridomas were cloned by limiting dilution. Finally, one stable clone (AS36) specific to ST was selected for further growth and characterization. Antibody titers of culture supernatant and ascitic fluid from BALB/c mice were 1:1,024 and 1:20,480 respectively in ELISA. The isotype and subclass of monoclonal antibody was IgG1 in sandwich ELISA. To test the neutralizing effect of monoclonal antibody on toxin activity of ST, mixture of ascitic fluid and ST was assayed by infant mouse assay and this monoclonel antibody was proved to be a neutralizing antibody. The titer of ascitic fluid which completely neutralized biological activity of 4 units of ST was 1:4. Purified ST was quantitatively measured by competitive ELISA and minimum amount of ST detectable by this assay was 250pg, which was an amount six-fold smaller than that detectable by infant mouse assay. Four reference strains of enterotoxigenic E. coli from WHO were detected by competitive ELISA and highly specific, sensitive and reproducible result was obtained.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.83-90
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• 1989

The changes in serum total protein and immunoglobulin levels, and BVD, IBR and PI-3 viral neutralizing antibody titers in colostrum-conferred Korean native calves during the first 12 weeks postpartum were studied, and the results obtained were summerized as follows: The Mean concentration of total protein, total immunoglobulin, IgG, IgM and IgA in sera of 9 calves at birth were $3.8{\pm}0.5g/dl$, $0.27{\pm}0.15mg/ml$, $0.06{\pm}0.08mg/ml$, $0.21{\pm}0.11mg/ml$, and extremely low concentration, respectively. Serum total protein level reached a maximum at 20 hours after birth, total immunoglobulin, IgG, and IgM levels at 24 hours, and IgA level at 28 hours, respectively. Serum IgA level reached a minimum at 4 weeks old, IgM level at 5 weeks, total immunoglobulin level at 8 weeks, and IgG level at 10 weeks, respectively. After then those levels had begun to increase, but total protein level was still decreasing at 12 weeks old. The half-lives of IgG, IgM, and IgA were 21.1 days, 4.0 days, and 2.6 days-respectively. In 10 Korean native cows immediately after parturition, serum neutralizing antibody titers specific to BVD, IBR and PI-3 virus were $8.7{\pm}1.5{\log}_2$, $5.7{\pm}1.2{\log}_2$, and $6.8{\pm}1.01{\log}_2$, respectively. And colostral neutralizing antibody titers against BVD, IBR, and PI-3 virus were $10.1{\pm}1.4{\log}_2$, $6.8{\pm}1.3{\log}_2$ and $7.8{\pm}1.7{\log}_2$, respectively. Before suckling the colostrum, SN antibody titers against BVD, IBR, and PI-3 virus were undetectable from all of 9 Korean native calves. Nevertheless SN antibody titer against BVD virus reached a maximum level ($9.2{\pm}0.6{\log}_2$) at 24 hours after birth, that against IBR virus ($6.1{\pm}1.0{\log}_2$) at 20 hours after birth, and that against PI-3 virus ($6.8{\pm}0.9{\log}_2$) at 32 hours after birth, respectively. In 12 weeks old calves, the SN antibodies against BVD and IBR virus were still decreasing, but that against PI-3 virus reached a minimum at 10 weeks, and increased after 12 weeks of age. The half-lives of SN antibodies against BVD, PI-3 and IBR, virus were 16.0 days, 22.6 days, and 25.5 days, respectively.

• BMB Reports
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.461-467
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• 1999

Recombinant Mycobacterium smegmatis expressing ovalbumin was used to immunize C57BL/6(H-$2^b$) mice, and the humoral immunity against recombinant ovalbumin was analyzed. Antibodies were purified by denatured ovalbumin-conjugated affinity chromatography. The epitopes of the antibodies were screened with a random peptide library displayed on the tip of fUSE5 filamentous phage pIII minor coat proteins. Two peptides, IRLADR and SPGAEV, were selected predominantly by the recognition of purified antibodies using biopanning methods. The composition of the peptide sequence with the primary structure of OVA revealed that the peptide sequence analogizes to INEAGR, part of the $^{323}ISQAVHAAHAEINEAGR^{339}$ sequence previously reported as the antigenic determinant for murine Band also Th cell epitopes (I-$A^d$ binding). Also, the structures of these mimotopes obtained from restrained molecular dynamic computations resulted in the formation of a $\beta$-turn proven to be a secondary structure of the parent peptide within the ovalbumin molecule, enabling us to confirm the structural similarity. This study demonstrates that immunization with recombinant M. smegmatis can generate neutralizing antibodies identical with those induced by the administration of natural antigenic proteins and supports the potential use of mycobacteria as vaccine delivery vehicles.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.365-376
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• 2006

To identify immune response of leukocytes in peripheral blood of cattle vaccinated with an attenuated live Akabane virus vaccine, leukocytes were reacted with monoclonal antibodies which are specific to bovine lymphocyte surface antigens and assayed by the flow cytometry. Serum neutralizing (SN) test was used to measure antibody titers after vaccination, SN antibody was appeared to 7 days post-vaccination (PV) and 2-8 antibody titers were observed in 14 days PV. Proportion of $CD8^-$ MHC $class II^+$ expressing cells were rapidly increased at 3 days PV. $CD8^+$ MHC $class II^-$ cells were increased at 7 days PV. $CD4^+CD8^-,\;WC^+CD4^-,\;CD4^+CD8^+,\;WC1^-CD4^+, \;WC1^-CD8^+$, and $CD4^-CD8^+$ cells were highly increased at 3, 3, 7, 7, 14, 14 days PV, respectively.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.255-267
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• 2017

Malaria is an infectious disease affecting humans, which is transmitted by the bite of Anopheles mosquitoes harboring sporozoites of parasitic protozoans belonging to the genus Plasmodium. Despite past achievements to control the protozoan disease, malaria still remains a significant health threat up to now. In this study, we cloned and characterized the full-unit Plasmodium yoelii genes encoding merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1), circumsporozoite protein (CSP), and Duffy-binding protein (DBP), each of which can be applied for investigations to obtain potent protective vaccines in the rodent malaria model, due to their specific expression patterns during the parasite life cycle. Recombinant fragments corresponding to the middle and C-terminal regions of PyMSP1 and PyCSP, respectively, displayed strong reactivity against P. yoelii-infected mice sera. Specific native antigens invoking strong humoral immune response during the primary and secondary infections of P. yoelii were also abundantly detected in experimental ICR mice. The low or negligible parasitemia observed in the secondary infected mice was likely to result from the neutralizing action of the protective antibodies. Identification of these antigenic proteins might provide the necessary information and means to characterize additional vaccine candidate antigens, selected solely on their ability to produce the protective antibodies.