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Toxins2021; 13(11); 818; doi: 10.3390/toxins13110818

Development of Antibody Detection ELISA Based on Immunoreactive Toxins and Toxin-Derived Peptides to Evaluate the Neutralization Potency of Equine Plasma against Naja atra in Taiwan.

Abstract: , also known as Taiwanese cobra, is one of the most prevalent venomous snakes in Taiwan. Clinically, freeze-dried neurotoxic antivenom (FNAV) produced from horses by Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has been the only approved treatment for envenoming for the last few decades. During antivenom production, large numbers of mice are used in the in vivo assay to determine whether the neutralization potency of hyperimmunized equines is satisfactory for large-scale harvesting. However, this in vivo assay is extremely laborious, expensive, and significantly impairs animal welfare. In the present study, we aimed to develop an in vitro ELISA-based system that could serve as an alternative assay to evaluate the neutralization potency of plasma from hyperimmunized equines. We initially obtained 51 plasma samples with known (high or low) neutralization potency assessed in vivo from 9 hyperimmunized equines and subsequently determined their antibody titers against the five major protein components of venom (neurotoxin (NTX), phospholipase A2 (PLA), cytotoxin (CTX), cysteine-rich secretory protein (CRISP), and snake venom metalloproteinase (SVMP)) via ELISA. The antibody titer against NTX was the most effective in discriminating between high and low potency plasma samples. To identify the specific epitope(s) of NTX recognized by neutralization potency-related antibodies, 17 consecutive NTX-derived pentadecapeptides were synthesized and used as antigens to probe the 51 equine plasma samples. Among the 17 peptides, immunoreactive signals for three consecutive peptides (NTX1-8, NTX1-9, and NTX1-10) were significantly higher in the high potency relative to low potency equine plasma groups ( < 0.0001). Our ELISA system based on NTX1-10 peptide (RWRDHRGYRTERGCG) encompassing residues 28-42 of NTX displayed optimal sensitivity (96.88%) and specificity (89.47%) for differentiating between high- and low-potency plasma samples (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) = 0.95). The collective data clearly indicate that the antibody titer against NTX protein or derived peptides can be used to efficiently discriminate between high and low neutralization potency of plasma samples from venom-immunized horses. This newly developed antibody detection ELISA based on NTX or its peptide derivatives has good potential to complement or replace the in vivo rodent assay for determining whether the neutralization potency of equine plasma is satisfactory for large-scale harvesting in the antivenom production process against
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Publication Date: 2021-11-19 PubMed ID: 34822602PubMed Central: PMC8622849DOI: 10.3390/toxins13110818Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study discusses the development of a lab-based method (ELISA) to gauge the effectiveness of antivenom from hyperimmunised horses against the venom of Naja atra, a Taiwanese cobra. This method aims to replace the current procedure that uses mice, which is manpower intensive, costly, and raises animal welfare concerns.

Background

  • The Taiwanese cobra (Naja atra), a venomous snake prevalent in Taiwan, needs a specific antivenom for effective treatment after an encounter.
  • Currently, this antivenom is produced from horse plasma by the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control, and its potency (i.e., effectiveness) is tested using live mice.
  • This in vivo testing method is not only time-consuming and costly but also adds to animal suffering.

Objective of the Study

  • The researchers aim to find an alternative method for checking the serum’s anti-venom potency developed from hyperimmunized horses.
  • They propose an in vitro (lab-based) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system which determines the level of antibodies (that could neutralize the venom) in the horse plasma.

Method and Findings

  • For this study, they collected 51 plasma samples from nine hyperimmunized horses that were known to have high or low neutralization potency.
  • They then checked the antibody levels in these samples against five main elements of cobra venom using ELISA.
  • They found that the antibody against one particular toxin (neurotoxin) was best at distinguishing between high- and low-potency samples.
  • Also, they found specific regions of this neurotoxin (known as epitopes) that the neutralizing antibodies would recognize.
  • Initial findings show that their ELISA system, based on this neurotoxin or its derivatives, has high sensitivity and specificity for classifying high- and low-potency plasma samples.

Conclusion

  • This research paves the way for a new method of assessing the neutralizing potential of horse-plasma-based antivenom against Naja atra.
  • This method, rooted in ELISA systems, works by identifying the presence and extent of antibodies against the neurotoxin component of the venom.
  • As it moves away from the use of mice for testing, it represents an improvement in both cost and animal welfare, while retaining accuracy and efficacy.
  • This new method has the promise to augment or even replace in vivo testing in the large-scale production of antivenom.

Cite This Article

APA
Liu CC, Hsiao YC, Chu LJ, Wang PJ, Liu CH, Hsieh WC, Yu JS. (2021). Development of Antibody Detection ELISA Based on Immunoreactive Toxins and Toxin-Derived Peptides to Evaluate the Neutralization Potency of Equine Plasma against Naja atra in Taiwan. Toxins (Basel), 13(11), 818. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13110818

Publication

Toxins
ISSN: 2072-6651
NlmUniqueID: 101530765
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 11
PII: 818

Researcher Affiliations

Liu, Chien-Chun
  • Molecular Medicine Research Center, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan 33302, Taiwan.
Hsiao, Yung-Chin
  • Molecular Medicine Research Center, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan 33302, Taiwan.
  • Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan 33302, Taiwan.
  • Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Tao-Yuan 33305, Taiwan.
Chu, Lichieh Julie
  • Molecular Medicine Research Center, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan 33302, Taiwan.
  • Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan 33302, Taiwan.
  • Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Tao-Yuan 33305, Taiwan.
Wang, Po-Jung
  • Molecular Medicine Research Center, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan 33302, Taiwan.
Liu, Chien-Hsin
  • Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei 11561, Taiwan.
Hsieh, Wen-Chin
  • Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei 11561, Taiwan.
Yu, Jau-Song
  • Molecular Medicine Research Center, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan 33302, Taiwan.
  • Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan 33302, Taiwan.
  • Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Tao-Yuan 33305, Taiwan.
  • Research Center for Food and Cosmetic Safety, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Tao-Yuan 33303, Taiwan.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology
  • Antivenins / immunology
  • Cobra Neurotoxin Proteins / immunology
  • Elapid Venoms / immunology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Naja naja
  • Peptides / immunology

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
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