Characterization of Thymus-dependent and Thymus-independent Immunoglobulin Isotype Responses in Mice Using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay. 2018

Almin I Lalani, and Sining Zhu, and Ping Xie
Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience and Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Rutgers University.

Antibodies, also termed as immunoglobulins (Ig), secreted by differentiated B lymphocytes, plasmablasts/plasma cells, in humoral immunity provide a formidable defense against invading pathogens via diverse mechanisms. One major goal of vaccination is to induce protective antigen-specific antibodies to prevent life-threatening infections. Both thymus-dependent (TD) and thymus-independent (TI) antigens can elicit robust antigen-specific IgM responses and can also induce the production of isotype-switched antibodies (IgG, IgA and IgE) as well as the generation of memory B cells with the help provided by antigen presenting cells (APCs). Here, we describe a protocol to characterize TD and TI Ig isotype responses in mice using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In this protocol, TD and TI Ig responses are elicited in mice by intraperitoneal (i.p.) immunization with hapten-conjugated model antigens TNP-KLH (in alum) and TNP-polysaccharide (in PBS), respectively. To induce TD memory response, a booster immunization of TNP-KLH in alum is given at 3 weeks after the first immunization with the same antigen/adjuvant. Mouse sera are harvested at different time points before and after immunization. Total serum Ig levels and TNP-specific antibodies are subsequently quantified using Ig isotype-specific Sandwich and indirect ELISA, respectively. In order to correctly quantify the serum concentration of each Ig isotype, the samples need to be appropriately diluted to fit within the linear range of the standard curves. Using this protocol, we have consistently obtained reliable results with high specificity and sensitivity. When used in combination with other complementary methods such as flow cytometry, in vitro culture of splenic B cells and immunohistochemical staining (IHC), this protocol will allow researchers to gain a comprehensive understanding of antibody responses in a given experimental setting.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007132 Immunoglobulin Isotypes The classes of immunoglobulins found in any species of animal. In man there are nine classes that migrate in five different groups in electrophoresis; they each consist of two light and two heavy protein chains, and each group has distinguishing structural and functional properties. Antibody Class,Ig Isotype,Ig Isotypes,Immunoglobulin Class,Immunoglobulin Isotype,Antibody Classes,Immunoglobulin Classes,Class, Antibody,Class, Immunoglobulin,Classes, Antibody,Classes, Immunoglobulin,Isotype, Ig,Isotype, Immunoglobulin,Isotypes, Ig,Isotypes, Immunoglobulin
D004797 Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay An immunoassay utilizing an antibody labeled with an enzyme marker such as horseradish peroxidase. While either the enzyme or the antibody is bound to an immunosorbent substrate, they both retain their biologic activity; the change in enzyme activity as a result of the enzyme-antibody-antigen reaction is proportional to the concentration of the antigen and can be measured spectrophotometrically or with the naked eye. Many variations of the method have been developed. ELISA,Assay, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent,Assays, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent,Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay,Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays,Immunosorbent Assay, Enzyme-Linked,Immunosorbent Assays, Enzyme-Linked
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000917 Antibody Formation The production of ANTIBODIES by proliferating and differentiated B-LYMPHOCYTES under stimulation by ANTIGENS. Antibody Production,Antibody Response,Antibody Responses,Formation, Antibody,Production, Antibody,Response, Antibody,Responses, Antibody
D000955 Antigens, T-Independent Antigens which may directly stimulate B lymphocytes without the cooperation of T lymphocytes. T-Independent Antigens,Thymus-Independent Antigens,Antigens, T Independent,TI-2 Antigens,Antigens, TI-2,Antigens, Thymus-Independent,Independent Antigens, T,T Independent Antigens,TI 2 Antigens,Thymus Independent Antigens
D013601 T-Lymphocytes Lymphocytes responsible for cell-mediated immunity. Two types have been identified - cytotoxic (T-LYMPHOCYTES, CYTOTOXIC) and helper T-lymphocytes (T-LYMPHOCYTES, HELPER-INDUCER). They are formed when lymphocytes circulate through the THYMUS GLAND and differentiate to thymocytes. When exposed to an antigen, they divide rapidly and produce large numbers of new T cells sensitized to that antigen. T Cell,T Lymphocyte,T-Cells,Thymus-Dependent Lymphocytes,Cell, T,Cells, T,Lymphocyte, T,Lymphocyte, Thymus-Dependent,Lymphocytes, T,Lymphocytes, Thymus-Dependent,T Cells,T Lymphocytes,T-Cell,T-Lymphocyte,Thymus Dependent Lymphocytes,Thymus-Dependent Lymphocyte
D051379 Mice The common name for the genus Mus. Mice, House,Mus,Mus musculus,Mice, Laboratory,Mouse,Mouse, House,Mouse, Laboratory,Mouse, Swiss,Mus domesticus,Mus musculus domesticus,Swiss Mice,House Mice,House Mouse,Laboratory Mice,Laboratory Mouse,Mice, Swiss,Swiss Mouse,domesticus, Mus musculus

Related Publications

Almin I Lalani, and Sining Zhu, and Ping Xie
September 1971, Immunochemistry,
Almin I Lalani, and Sining Zhu, and Ping Xie
June 2003, Epidemiology and infection,
Almin I Lalani, and Sining Zhu, and Ping Xie
July 2005, Clinical and diagnostic laboratory immunology,
Almin I Lalani, and Sining Zhu, and Ping Xie
September 1983, Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease,
Almin I Lalani, and Sining Zhu, and Ping Xie
January 1990, Methods in enzymology,
Almin I Lalani, and Sining Zhu, and Ping Xie
January 2000, Journal of immunoassay,
Almin I Lalani, and Sining Zhu, and Ping Xie
November 2001, Journal of clinical microbiology,
Almin I Lalani, and Sining Zhu, and Ping Xie
September 1997, Chemical research in toxicology,
Almin I Lalani, and Sining Zhu, and Ping Xie
October 1994, Biochemistry and molecular biology international,
Copied contents to your clipboard!