Preparation and characterization of hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies to tick-borne encephalitis virus.

Monoclonal antibodies (MA) were prepared to two strains of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus: strain 4072 isolated from a patient in the U.S.S.R. and low-pathogenic for mice strain Skalica, isolated from a bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) in Slovakia. MA specific to the 4072 and Skalica strains were produced by hybridomas of the KEN (60 clones) and NEK (65 clones) series, respectively. Chromosomal analysis of MA producing 114 hybridoma clones of both series revealed a great variability in the number of chromosomes either in the range of given clones or between individual clones. The hybridoma cells under study possessed a high degree of transformation manifested by good growth in the mouse peritoneal cavity and marked accumulation in ascitic fluid (AF).

Two kinds of monoclonal antibodies to tick-borne encephalitis virus.

Two types of monoclonal antibodies (MA) of the KEN and NEK series prepared to tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus differed in the spectrum of their reactivity in serological tests and in their ability to react with individual representatives of the TBE virus complex. The KEN series MA were induced to the 4072 strain isolated from the blood of a patient in the U.S.S.R. The NEK series MA were prepared to the Skalica strain isolated from a bank vole in Czechoslovakia. Both groups of MA belonged to IgG class, reacted in immunofluorescence (IF) test, but possessed no haemagglutination inhibiting (HI) activity. MA of the NEK series reacted in the IF and complement fixation (CF) tests with all members of the TBE virus complex, except of the Powassan virus. MA of the KEN series had no CF activity and in the IF test, they did not react with Powassan and Langat TP-21 viruses and with the Skalica strain of TBE virus.

Binding of staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) with human splenic lymphocytes.

1. The presence of specific binding of [125I]SEA with human splenocytes is established. 2. The association of toxin at 4 C is characterized by saturation, reversibility and a great affinity to a receptor (Kd = 4.0 x 10(-7) M). 3. The number of binding sites on a cell is equal to 6000. 4. At 23 C the binding of labelled toxin with a cell described by a biphasic curve. 5. Priming increases the association of SEA with the splenocytes and correspondingly increases the production level of gamma-interferon.

Investigation of a continuous murine cell line RVP3 by C-staining of chromosomes.

A continuous murine cell line RVP3 was karyologically examined, using staining for centromeric heterochromatin. All cells of this line contained microchromosomes with centromeric heterochromatin. The origin of the microchromosomes is discussed.

Induction of interferon and radioprotective activity of polyriboguanylic-polyribocytidylic acid complex in mice.

The effect of polyriboguanylic-polyribocytidylic acid complex was investigated against acute X- and prolonged 60Co-gamma irradiation. Prophylactic administration of the polyribonucleotide complex increased endogenous spleen colony formation and the percentage of survival of irradiated BALB/c mice. The most pronounced effect was observed when the animals had been irradiated at the time of maximum interferon accumulation in blood, i.e. 24 hr after interferon induction by the polyribonucleotide complex.

Comparative analysis of interferon and antiviral protein messenger RNAs.

A comparative analysis of interferon and antiviral protein messenger RNAs was carried out. Differences in their biological activities and sedimentation coefficients were found. In RNA preparations from superinduced cells (cells treated with poly(I).poly(C) and antimetabolites) and from cells treated with interferon, messenger RNAs possesing interferon and antiviral activities were detected. The results suggest the existence of two types of mRNA (for interferon and antiviral protein, respectively) and support the hypothetic model of interferon action via an antiviral protein.

The effect of combination of different inducers on the refractory state in interferon production.

A second injection of 100 mug poly (rI) poly (rC) per mouse at 6 and 24 hours after the first injection stimulated additional peaks of interferon production. The dynamics of the process of accumulation and disappearance of interferon was similar to that after a single injection of poly (rI). poly (rC). Injection of the above dose 12 hours after the first injection induced no interferon production as it apparently coincided with the refractory state in interferon production. After pretreatment of poly (rI) poly (rC) with DEAE-dextran, the refractory phase occurred in 6 hours. Inoculation of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus as a second interferon inducer resulted in a repeated stimulation of interferon production both in animals and in tissue culture; however, interferon titres in this case were low. The use of an inactivated virus as a second interferon inducer stimulated interferon production to higher titres (5120 IU/ml) than a single injection of DEAE-dextran-treated poly (rI). poly (rC). It is possible that a combined use of poly (rI). poly (rC) and noninfectious virus as a second interferon inducer eliminates the development of the refractory state.

The dynamics of development of cell resistance to viruses induced by synthetic polynucleotides.

The dynamics of interaction of complexes of synthetic polynucleotides (polyinosinic and polycitidylic acid--poly (rI)-poly (rC), and polyguanylic and polycytidylic acid--poly (rG)-poly (rC)) with cells as well as the dynamics of interferon accumulation and development of antiviral effect against some RNA viruses were studied in primary chick embryo cell (CEC) cultures. Four phases were observed in the development of the antiviral effect of synthetic polynucleotides: adsorption, increase, marked antiviral effect and waning. The duration and extent of the antiviral effect depended upon the activity and the dose of the preparation and less so upon virus type. At the same time, the dynamics of the development of the antiviral effect in early stages differed significantly depending on the virus model.

Double-stranded complex of polyguanylic and polycytidylic acids and its antiviral activity in tissue culture.

The antiviral activity and conditions of formation of the most active double-stranded complexes of synthetic homopolynucleotides, polyriboguanylic and polyribocytidylic acids, were studied on the model of primary trypsinized chick embryo cells and RNA-containing viruses. The (poly G).(poly C) complex was very active against the viruses tested; their replication in cell cultures was inhibited completely. The antiviral activity of the (poly G).(poly C) complex increased markedly in the presence of diethylaminoethyl- (DEAE-) dextran. After treatment with 1 mug/ml of (poly G). (poly C) for 1 hour in the presence of 100 mug/ml DEAE-dextran, the cell sheet remained protected for 5-7 days. Preparations of (poly G).(poly C) obtained under optimal conditions were as active as (poly I).(poly C) complexes and exceeded them markedly in the level of the therapeutic index which under the present experimental conditions was 5-10 times 10(3) for (poly G).(poly C). Highly purified homopolymers with sufficiently high molecular weight must be used for production of active and stable (poly G).(poly C) complexes.