Development of the covalent antibody-DNA conjugates technology for detection of IgE and IgM antibodies by immuno-PCR

PLoS One. 2019 Jan 4;14(1):e0209860. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209860. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Immuno-PCR (iPCR) is one of the methods used for the detection of a wide range of analytes and features the high sensitivity of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. iPCR uses antibodies coupled to DNA, followed by the amplification of the attached DNA using RT-PCR. Two major types of antibody-DNA conjugates are currently used, which are obtained as a result of non-covalent (biotin-streptavidin) or covalent interactions. Using a strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC), we synthesized covalent DNA-antibody conjugates, optimized the reaction conditions, and developed an efficient protocol for the purification of conjugates, with which all unreacted antibodies and oligonucleotides are separated. Covalent DNA-antibody conjugates were tested with iPCR assays that were previously developed for the detection of IgE and IgM antibodies with the use of the supramolecular complex of 5'- and 3'-biotinylated DNA and streptavidin. The results show that the modification of antibodies with amino groups did not allow us to obtain monolabeled antibodies or antibodies with a strictly defined number of DNA-labels. The degree of labeling determined by the dyes introduced through the azido group reflects the actual labeling degree statistically. If the average labeling degree for azido groups is 1.1, the conjugates contain 25% mono-labeled antibodies, 50% double-labeled antibodies, and 25% unlabeled ones. The specificity of the monoclonal antibody to human IgE (BE5) changed after conjugation with the oligonucleotide. The sensitivity of iPCR in the detection of IgM antibodies produced against the LeC disaccharide using a covalent conjugate was similar to that of a supramolecular complex of 5'- and 3'-biotinylated DNA and streptavidin, but the new procedure is two steps shorter.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / genetics
  • Antigens / immunology
  • Biotin
  • Biotinylation
  • DNA / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / analysis
  • Immunoglobulin E / genetics*
  • Immunoglobulin M / analysis
  • Immunoglobulin M / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Oligonucleotides / genetics
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Streptavidin

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Oligonucleotides
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Biotin
  • DNA
  • Streptavidin

Grants and funding

MAS, VDP, DVV, PED, SKZ, DYuR were supported by the Russian Science Foundation (project no. 16-14-00136). OOO DNA-Technology TS provided support in the form of salary for author AVM, but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section.