Development of a luciferase immunoprecipitation system assay to detect IgG antibodies against human respiratory syncytial virus nucleoprotein

Clin Vaccine Immunol. 2014 Mar;21(3):383-90. doi: 10.1128/CVI.00594-13. Epub 2014 Jan 8.

Abstract

The nucleoprotein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV-N) is immunogenic and elicits an IgG response following infection. The RSV-N gene was cloned into a mammalian expression vector, pREN2, and the expressed luciferase-tagged protein (Ruc-N) detected anti-RSV-N-specific IgG antibodies using a high-throughput immunoprecipitation method (the luciferase immunoprecipitation system [LIPS]-N(RSV) assay). The specificity of the assay was evaluated using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and monospecific pre- and postimmunization rabbit antisera. Blood serum samples from chimpanzees and humans with proven/probable RSV infection were also tested. The pre- and postimmunization serum samples from rabbits given human metapneumovirus (HMPV) or measles virus were negative when tested by the LIPS-N(RSV) assay, while antisera obtained after immunization with either the RSV-A or RSV-B strain gave positive signals in a dose-dependent manner. RSV-N MAb 858-3 gave a positive signal in the LIPS-N(RSV) assay, while MAbs against other paramyxovirus nucleoproteins or RSV-F or RSV-G did not. Serum samples from chimpanzees simultaneously immunized with vaccinia-RSV-F and vaccinia-RSV-G recombinant viruses were negative in the LIPS-N(RSV) assay; however, anti-RSV-N IgG responses were detected following subsequent RSV challenge. Seven of the 12 infants who were seronegative at 9 months of age had detectable anti-RSV-N antibodies when they were retested at 15 to 18 months of age. The LIPS-N(RSV) assay detects specific anti-RSV-N IgG responses that may be used as a biomarker of RSV infection.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood*
  • Immunoprecipitation / methods*
  • Infant
  • Luciferases / analysis*
  • Nucleoproteins / immunology*
  • Pan troglodytes
  • Rabbits
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / immunology*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Viral Proteins / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigens, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Nucleoproteins
  • Viral Proteins
  • Luciferases