This proposal capitalizes on recent methodological advances in immunology and protein engineering in order to analyze and characterize the antibody responses of humans to Streptokinase (SK). SK is a plasminogen activator protein isolated from pathogenic streptococci (Lancefield group C) and has been used for many years as a thrombolytic agent to treat diseases involving clot formation, such as heart attack. However, SK has potential side effects, since it is immunogenic. Patients treated with SK develop high titers of antibodies which neutralize SK activity. Further, some develop anaphylactic shock, immune complex diseases and delayed-type hypersensitivity. It is therefore crucial to elucidate the structural basis of SK antigenicity in humans in order to ascertain which regions of the molecule are more immunogenic than others and to study the molecular mechanisms responsible for antibody:.mediated neutralization of SK activity. These goals will be attained by producing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to SK in order to generate probes to map the antigenic epitopes of SK and to investigate the relationship between the structures composing the antigenic epitopes and the plasminogen activation function. The peptide sequences recognized by these mAbs will be studied using genetically engineered truncated SK fragments. These mAbs and recombinant SK fragments will be used as molecular probes to characterize the antigenic epitopes of SK in humans by analyzing the crossreactivity of human anti-SK antibodies with mAbs and recombinant SK fragments. Detailed analysis of antigenic epitopes of SK in humans and the elucidation of the structural basis for its plasminogen activation function should eventually enable us to uncouple its antigenic and functional structure(s) and to design a non-antigenic, effective plasminogen activator for therapeutic use.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
First Independent Research Support & Transition (FIRST) Awards (R29)
Project #
5R29AI033175-05
Application #
2413631
Study Section
Immunological Sciences Study Section (IMS)
Project Start
1993-05-01
Project End
1999-04-30
Budget Start
1997-05-01
Budget End
1999-04-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Massachusetts General Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02199
Parhami-Seren, Behnaz; Haberly, Richard; Margolies, Michael N et al. (2002) Ouabain-binding protein(s) from human plasma. Hypertension 40:220-8
Parhami-Seren, Behnaz; Krudysz, Jolanta; Tsantili, Panayota (2002) Affinity panning of peptide libraries using anti-streptokinase monoclonal antibodies: selection of an inhibitor of plasmin(ogen) active site. J Immunol Methods 267:185-98
Parhami-Seren, B; Bell, C; Margolies, M N et al. (1999) Monoclonal antibodies that distinguish between two related digitalis glycosides, ouabain and digoxin. J Immunol 163:4360-6
Wong, Y W; Gill, D S; Parhami-Seren, B et al. (1998) Structural requirements for a specificity switch and for maintenance of affinity using mutational analysis of a phage-displayed anti-arsonate antibody of Fab heavy chain first complementarity-determining region. J Immunol 160:5990-7
Parhami-Seren, B; Lynch, M; White, H D et al. (1995) Mapping the antigenic regions of streptokinase in humans before and after streptokinase therapy. Mol Immunol 32:717-24