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Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a circulatory fluid of the central nervous system and it can reflect the biochemical changes occurring in the brain. Although CSF retrieval through lumbar puncture is invasive, it remains the most commonly used fluid in exploring brain pathology as it is less complex and contains a higher concentration of brain-derived proteins than plasma (Reiber, H. Clin. Chim. Acta2001, 310, 173−186; Macron et al. J. Proteome Res.2018, 17, 4315−4319). We hypothesize that proteins produced by the brain will have diagnostic significance for brain pathologies. Hence, we expanded the previously in-house-developed 31-protein panel with more proteins classified as brain-specific by the Human Protein Atlas (HPA). Using the HPA, we selected 76 protein coding genes and screened CSF using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) and narrowed the protein list to candidates identified endogenously in CSF. Next, we developed a parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) assay for the 21 new proteins and merged it with the 31-protein assay developed earlier. In the process, we evaluated different screening strategies and optimized MS collision energies and ion isolation windows to achieve the highest possible analyte signal resulting in the PRM assay with an average linear dynamic range of 4.3 × 103. We also assessed the extent of Asn (N)–Gln (Q) deamidation, N-terminal pyro-Glu (E) conversion, and Met (M) oxidation and found that deamidation can be misassigned without high mass accuracy and high-resolution settings. We also assessed how many of these proteins could be reliably measured in 10 individual patient CSF samples. Our approach allows us to measure the relative levels of 52 brain-derived proteins in CSF by a single LC–MS method. This new assay may have important applications in discovering CSF biomarkers for various neurological diseases.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a promising clinical sample for identification of novel biomarkers for various neurological disorders. Considering its direct contact with brain tissue, CSF represents a valuable source of brain-related and brain-specific proteins. Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory, demyelinating neurological disease affecting the central nervous system, and so far there are no diagnostic or prognostic disease specific biomarkers available in the clinic. The primary aim of the present study was to develop a targeted mass spectrometry assay for simultaneous quantification of 30 brain-related proteins in CSF and subsequently to demonstrate assay feasibility in neurological samples derived from multiple sclerosis patients. Our multiplex selected reaction monitoring assay had wide dynamic range (median fold range across peptides = 8.16 × 103) and high assay reproducibility (median across peptides CV = 4%). Candidate biomarkers were quantified in CSF samples from neurologically healthy individuals (n = 9) and patients diagnosed with clinically isolated syndrome (n = 29) or early multiple sclerosis (n = 15).

Monoclonal antibodies that bind the native conformation of proteins are indispensable reagents for the development of immunoassays, production of therapeutic antibodies and delineating protein interaction networks by affinity purification-mass spectrometry. Antibodies generated against short peptides, protein fragments, or even full length recombinant proteins may not bind the native protein form in biological fluids, thus limiting their utility. Here, we report the application of immunocapture coupled with selected reaction monitoring measurements (immunocapture-SRM), in the rapid screening of hybridoma culture supernatants for monoclonal antibodies that bind the native protein conformation. We produced mouse monoclonal antibodies, which detect in human serum or seminal plasma the native form of the human testis-expressed sequence 101 (TEX101) protein–a recently proposed biomarker of male infertility. Pairing of two monoclonal antibodies against unique TEX101 epitopes led to the development of an ELISA for the measurement of TEX101 in seminal plasma (limit of detection: 20 pg/ml) and serum (limit of detection: 40 pg/ml). Measurements of matched seminal plasma samples, obtained from men pre- and post-vasectomy, confirmed the absolute diagnostic specificity and sensitivity of TEX101 for noninvasive identification of physical obstructions in the male reproductive tract. Measurement of male and female serum samples revealed undetectable levels of TEX101 in the systemic circulation of healthy individuals. Immunocapture-SRM screening may facilitate development of monoclonal antibodies and immunoassays against native forms of challenging protein targets.

Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn can be effectively prevented by administration of anti-D to the mother. In this setting, the IgG purified from the plasma of D-alloimmunized donors prevents the maternal immune response to D-positive red blood cells (RBC). Several monoclonal anti-D antibodies have recently been developed for potential use in the setting of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn; the functional assays used to assess the potential success of these antibodies have often assumed antigen clearance as the predominant mechanism of anti-D. Unfortunately, the in-vivo success of these monoclonal antibodies has thus far been limited. A similar inhibitory effect of IgG has been observed in animal models with a vast array of different antigens, referred to as antibody-mediated immune suppression (AMIS). Here, studies of AMIS are reviewed and the relevance of these findings for anti-D-mediated immunoprophylaxis is discussed.

Anti-D is routinely and effectively used to prevent hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) caused by the antibody response to the D antigen on fetal RBCs. Anti-D is a polyclonal IgG product purified from the plasma of D-alloimmunized individuals. The mechanism of anti-D has not been fully elucidated. Antigenic epitopes are not fully masked by anti-D and are available for immune system recognition. However, a correlation has frequently been observed between anti-D-mediated RBC clearance and prevention of the antibody response, suggesting that anti-D may be able to destroy RBCs without triggering the adaptive immune response. Anti-D-opsonized RBCs may also elicit inhibitory Fc?RIIB signaling in B cells and prevent B cell activation. The ability of antigen-specific IgG to inhibit antibody responses has also been observed in a variety of animal models immunized with a vast array of different antigens, such as sheep RBCs (SRBC). This effect has been referred to as antibody-mediated immune suppression (AMIS). In animal models, IgG inhibits the antibody response, but the T-cell response and memory may still be intact. IgG does not mask all epitopes, and IgG-mediated RBC clearance or Fc?RIIB-mediated B-cell inhibition do not appear to mediate the AMIS effect. Instead, IgG appears to selectively disrupt B cell priming, although the exact mechanism remains obscure. While the applicability of animal models of AMIS to understanding the true mechanism of anti-D remains uncertain, the models have nevertheless provided us with insights into the possible IgG effects on the immune response.

To evaluate the performance of the epoc hand-held analyzer against the RAPIDPoint 500 blood gas analyzer and laboratory analyzers where applicable.

Using a murine model of ITP, we have previously demonstrated that both IVIg and a monoclonal antibody which reacts with red cells (TER-119), ameliorates thrombocytopenia. We have also recently demonstrated that passive transfer of IVIg-primed splenic leukocytes can completely recapitulate the effects of standard IVIg therapy in the amelioration of murine ITP, and further showed that CD11c+ dendritic cells were the primary cell mediating IVIg functions (Nat Med2006;12:688–692). However, the duration of action of IVIg, TER-119 and IVIg-primed leukocytes in the inhibition of murine ITP has not been evaluated. Herein, we have evaluated the efficacy and duration of action of IVIg-primed leukocytes compared with standard therapeutic delivery of IVIg and TER-119. On day 1, mice were pre-treated with 50 ug TER-119 or 50 mg IVIg, or with only 106 leukocytes that had been primed for 30 minutes with IVIg, followed by extensive washing to remove all extraneous IVIg. Alternatively, leukocytes were also primed as above with BSA as a negative control. On days 2, 5, 8 and 11, mice from each group were injected with an antibody directed to integrin αIIβ to induce immune thrombocytopenia and bled the following day for platelet enumeration. On days 3 and 6, platelet counts revealed that mice receiving IVIg-primed leukocytes, IVIg or TER-119 were all protected from thrombocytopenia to the same extent. Mice that were pre-treated with leukocytes primed with BSA were not protected, as expected. However, at day 9, mice that received IVIg-primed leukocytes were still completely protected from thrombocytopenia, while mice receiving IVIg or TER-119 were not protected. By day 12, none of the treatment regimens conferred protection from thrombocytopenia. We are currently repeating these experiments with IVIg-primed bone marrow-derived dendritic cells and these results will also be presented. These data confirm that in the treatment of murine immune thrombocytopenia, pre-treatment of mice with IVIg-primed leukocytes offers up to 50% longer duration of protection from thrombocytopenia than standard therapies with IVIg or TER-119.

Using a murine model of ITP, we have previously demonstrated that both IVIg and a monoclonal antibody which reacts with red cells (TER-119), ameliorates thrombocytopenia. We have also recently demonstrated that passive transfer of IVIg-primed splenic leukocytes can completely recapitulate the effects of standard IVIg therapy in the amelioration of murine ITP, and further showed that CD11c+ dendritic cells were the primary cell mediating IVIg functions (Nat Med 2006; 12:688–692). However, the duration of action of IVIg, TER-119 and IVIg-primed leukocytes in the inhibition of murine ITP has not been evaluated. Herein, we have evaluated the efficacy and duration of action of IVIg-primed leukocytes compared with standard therapeutic delivery of IVIg and TER-119. On day 1, mice were pre-treated with 50 ug TER-119 or 50 mg IVIg, or with only 106leukocytes that had been primed for 30 minutes with IVIg, followed by extensive washing to remove all extraneous IVIg. Alternatively, leukocytes were also primed as above with BSA as a negative control. On days 2, 5, 8 and 11, mice from each group were injected with an antibody directed to integrin αIIβto induce immune thrombocytopenia and bled the following day for platelet enumeration. On days 3 and 6, platelet counts revealed that mice receiving IVIg-primed leukocytes, IVIg or TER-119 were all protected from thrombocytopenia to the same extent. Mice that were pre-treated with leukocytes primed with BSA were not protected, as expected. However, at day 9, mice that received IVIg-primed leukocytes were still completely protected from thrombocytopenia, while mice receiving IVIg or TER-119 were not protected. By day 12, none of the treatment regimens conferred protection from thrombocytopenia. We are currently repeating these experiments with IVIg-primed bone marrow-derived dendritic cells and these results will also be presented. These data confirm that in the treatment of murine immune thrombocytopenia, pre-treatment of mice with IVIg-primed leukocytes offers up to 50% longer duration of protection from thrombocytopenia than standard therapies with IVIg or TER-119.

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) mediates protection from the effects of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). In addition, an IVIg specific for a cell-associated antigen (anti-D) is also able to increase platelet counts in D positive subjects with ITP. Whether an IVIg directed to a soluble antigen can likewise be beneficial in ITP is, however, unknown. A murine model of ITP was used to determine the effectiveness of IgG specific to soluble antigens in treating immune thrombocytopenia. Ovalbumin (OVA) was selected as the primary target antigen because it can be used in its soluble form or can be coupled to syngeneic red blood cells (OVA-RBC), and the same anti-OVA antibody could be used with both OVA and OVA-RBC. Mice were injected with either preformed soluble OVA + anti-OVA, OVA-RBC’s presensitised with anti-OVA, or appropriate control preparations, followed by an anti-platelet antibody to induce thrombocytopenia. Both experimental regimes, but none of the control preparations, protected mice from ITP. Similar to IVIg, soluble OVA + anti-OVA did not have any effect on thrombocytopenia in mice lacking the inhibitory receptor FcγRIIB (FcγRIIB−/−). In contrast, injection of anti-OVA sensitised OVA-RBC’s did ameliorate thrombocytopenia in FcγRIIB−/− mice. Finally, mice injected with IgG specific for the endogenous soluble antigens, albumin and transferrin, also inhibited ITP in an FcγRIIB-dependent manner. We conclude that IgG antibodies directed to soluble antigens can inhibit or reverse immune thrombocytopenia in an FcγRIIB-dependent manner.

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) mediates protection from the effects of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). In addition, an IVIg specific for a cell-associated antigen (anti-D) is also able to increase platelet counts in D positive subjects with ITP. Whether an IVIg directed to a soluble antigen can likewise be beneficial in ITP is, however, unknown. A murine model of ITP was used to determine the effectiveness of IgG specific to soluble antigens in treating immune thrombocytopenia. Ovalbumin (OVA) was selected as the primary target antigen because it can be used in its soluble form or can be coupled to syngeneic red blood cells (OVA-RBC), and the same anti-OVA antibody could be used with both OVA and OVA-RBC. Mice were injected with either preformed soluble OVA + anti-OVA, OVA-RBC's presensitised with anti-OVA, or appropriate control preparations, followed by an anti-platelet antibody to induce thrombocytopenia. Both experimental regimes, but none of the control preparations, protected mice from ITP. Similar to IVIg, soluble OVA + anti-OVA did not have any effect on thrombocytopenia in mice lacking the inhibitory receptor FcγRIIB (FcγRIIB−/−). In contrast, injection of anti-OVA sensitised OVA-RBC's did ameliorate thrombocytopenia in FcγRIIB−/−mice. Finally, mice injected with IgG specific for the endogenous soluble antigens, albumin and transferrin, also inhibited ITP in an FcγRIIB-dependent manner. We conclude that IgG antibodies directed to soluble antigens can inhibit or reverse immune thrombocytopenia in an FcγRIIB-dependent manner.