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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Conformational Evaluation of HIV-1 Trimeric Envelope Glycoproteins Using a Cell-based ELISA Assay
Published on: September 14, 2014
Reactivity of monoclonal antibodies established against a recombinant human endogenous retrovirus-K (HERV-K) envelope
W Vogetseder1, J Feng, M P Dierich
1Institut für Hygiene, Leopold Franzens Universität, Innsbruck, Austria.
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are widely believed to represent possible pathogenic agents in autoimmune disorders and carcinogenesis. We generated 2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against a recombinant HERV-K outer-membrane envelope protein. These mAbs were capable of immunoprecipitating protein bands of 55, 51 and 45 kDa, respectively, from [35S]methionine-labeled lysates of T47D (human breast carcinoma), Raji, Bjab (both human beta-lymphoblastoid) and H9 (human T-cell lymphoma) cells. Furthermore, the 55 kDa band could be precipitated from cell-free supernatant of biosynthetically labeled T47D cells, indicating that this molecule may be secreted. Indirect immunofluorescence and subsequent FACS analysis demonstrated the presence of these molecules on T47D, HeLa, Raji, Bjab and H9 cells as well as on lymphocytes isolated from tonsils and stimulated with poke weed mitogen (PWM). Due to the broad distribution and lack of detection of HERV-K-env mRNA in these cells, we believe that these antigens are of cellular origin detected by crossreactivity of mAbs against HERV-K-env protein with cellular molecules.
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are widely believed to represent possible pathogenic agents in autoimmune disorders and carcinogenesis. We generated 2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against a recombinant HERV-K outer-membrane envelope protein. These mAbs were capable of immunoprecipitating protein bands of 55, 51 and 45 kDa, respectively, from [35S]methionine-labeled lysates of T47D (human breast carcinoma), Raji, Bjab (both human beta-lymphoblastoid) and H9 (human T-cell lymphoma) cells. Furthermore, the 55 kDa band could be precipitated from cell-free supernatant of biosynthetically labeled T47D cells, indicating that this molecule may be secreted. Indirect immunofluorescence and subsequent FACS analysis demonstrated the presence of these molecules on T47D, HeLa, Raji, Bjab and H9 cells as well as on lymphocytes isolated from tonsils and stimulated with poke weed mitogen (PWM). Due to the broad distribution and lack of detection of HERV-K-env mRNA in these cells, we believe that these antigens are of cellular origin detected by crossreactivity of mAbs against HERV-K-env protein with cellular molecules.
