Evaluation of anti-influenza efficiency of polyclonal IgG antibodies specific to the ectodomain of M2 protein of influenza A virus by passive immunization of mice

Acta Virol. 2011;55(3):261-5. doi: 10.4149/av_2011_03_261.

Abstract

We attempted to quantify the protective potential of polyclonal IgG antibodies specific to the ectodomain of M2 protein (eM2) of influenza A virus (IAV) against lethal influenza infection of mice. For this purpose, eM2 conjugated with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) or KLH alone were administered with Freund's adjuvant intraperitoneally (i.p.) to BALB/c mice. IgG antibodies specific to the KLH-eM2 conjugate (anti-KLH-eM2 IgGs) and KLH (anti-KLH IgGs), respectively, were purified from ascitic fluids. Analysis of the preparation of anti-KLH-eM2 IgGs by ELISA revealed that it contained about 25% of anti-eM2 IgGs and 75% of anti-KLH IgGs. Taking into account this finding mice were passively immunized by intravenous route with 320, 160, 80, and 40 µg of anti-eM2 IgGs per mouse, respectively, while 320 µg of anti-KLH IgGs were used in control. Following subsequent infection with 3 LD50 IAV the survival of mice was determined. An absolute protection (100% survival) was obtained with 320 µg of anti-eM2 IgGs, and a relatively strong significant protection (~80% survival, p = 0.024) with 160 µg. The amount 160 µg of IgGs represents approx. 100 µg IgGs per 1 ml of blood.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Hemocyanins / immunology
  • Immunization
  • Immunization, Passive / methods*
  • Immunoglobulin G / therapeutic use*
  • Influenza A virus / drug effects*
  • Influenza A virus / immunology
  • Influenza Vaccines / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / immunology
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / prevention & control*
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / immunology*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Influenza Vaccines
  • M2 protein, Influenza A virus
  • Viral Matrix Proteins
  • Hemocyanins
  • keyhole-limpet hemocyanin