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Infection and Immunity, May 2000, p. 2608-2616, Vol. 68, No. 5
Department of Veterinary Science and
Microbiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721
Received 11 November 1999/Returned for modification 10 January
2000/Accepted 26 January 2000
The coccidian parasite Cryptosporidium parvum causes
diarrhea in humans, calves, and other mammals. Neither immunization nor parasite-specific pharmaceuticals that are consistently effective against this organism are available. While polyclonal antibodies against whole C. parvum reduce infection, their efficacy
and predictability are suboptimal. We hypothesized that passive
immunization against cryptosporidiosis could be improved by using
neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) targeting functionally
defined antigens on the infective stages. We previously reported that
the apical complex and surface-exposed zoite antigens CSL, GP25-200,
and P23 are critical in the infection process and are therefore
rational targets. In the present study, a panel of 126 MAbs generated
against affinity-purified CSL, GP25-200, and P23 was characterized to
identify the most efficacious neutralizing MAb formulation targeting
each antigen. To identify neutralizing MAbs, sporozoite infectivity
following exposure to individual MAbs was assessed by enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay. Of 126 MAbs evaluated, 47 had neutralizing
activity. These were then evaluated individually in oocyst-challenged
neonatal mice, and 14 MAbs having highly significant efficacy were
identified for further testing in formulations. Epitope specificity
assays were performed to determine if candidate MAbs recognized the
same or different epitopes. Formulations of two or three neutralizing MAbs, each recognizing distinct epitopes, were then evaluated. A
formulation of MAbs 3E2 (anti-CSL [
0019-9567/00/$04.00+0
Copyright © 2000, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.
Characterization and Formulation of Multiple
Epitope-Specific Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies for Passive
Immunization against Cryptosporidiosis
CSL]), 3H2 (
GP25-200), and
1E10 (
P23) provided highly significant additive efficacy over that
of either individual MAbs or combinations of two MAbs and reduced
intestinal infection by 86 to 93%. These findings indicate that
polyvalent neutralizing MAb formulations targeting epitopes on defined
antigens may provide optimal passive immunization against cryptosporidiosis.
*
Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of
Veterinary Science and Microbiology, Veterinary Science and
Microbiology Building, Room 202, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
85721. Phone: (520) 621-2355. Fax: (520) 621-6366. E-mail:
mriggs{at}u.arizona.edu.
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