METHODS FOR THE DETECTION OF HTLV-II ANTIBODIES EMPLOYIING NOVEL HTLV-II nra ENVELOPE PEPTIDES

Abstract

Compositions including lysates, DNA and amino acid sequences derived from HTLV-IINRA are provided. Assays for detecting HTLV infection that employ the disclosed HTLV-IINRA compositions are also provided. Kits for performing HTLV assays are further provided.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/086,415, filed Jul. 1, 1993, incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to an isolate of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type II (“HTLV-II”) referred to as “NRA.” More particularly, the invention relates to compositions derived from the NRA provirus, and to the use of such compositions in assays and kits to detect HTLV infection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (“HTLV-I”) has been established as the etiologic agent of two diseases, adult T-cell leukemia (“ATL”) [Poiesz et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 77:7415-7419 (1980); Uchiyama et al., Blood, 50:481-492 (1977)] and a neurologic disorder known either as HTLV-associated myelopathy (“HAM”) [Tsujimoto et al., Mol. Biol. Med., 5:29-42 (1988)] or tropical spastic paraparesis (“TSP”). [Gessain et al., Lancet, II:407-409 (1985)].

[0004] Genetic analysis of HTLV-I genomes has been performed. [Ratner et al., AIDS Res. and Human Retroviruses, 7:923-941 (1991); Goodenow et al., J. Acquired Immune Defic. Syndr., 2:344-352 (1989); Gray et al., Virology, 177:391-395 (1990)]. Genetic diversity within the HTLV-I genome has been reported to be associated with the geographical origin of the isolate. [Gessain et al., J. Virol., 66:2288-2295 (1992); Sherman et al., J. Virol, 66:2556-2563 (1992)].

[0005] Another type of human lymphotropic virus, HTLV-II, has been identified among approximately half of the U.S. blood donors with anti-HTLV reactivity [Hjelle et al., Blood, 76:450-454 (1990); Lee et al., Lancet, 337:1435-1439 (1991)], and a high risk association has been reported in intravenous drug users (“IVDU”) from New Orleans [Lee et al., Science, 244:471-475 (1989)], New York City [Robert-Guroff et al., JAMA, 255:3133-3137 (1986); Ehrlich et al., Blood, 74:1658-1664 (1989)], the United Kingdom [Tedder et al., Lancet, 11:125-128 (1984)], and Italy [Zella et al., Lancet, 336:575-576 (1990)]. HAM/TSP-like myelopathy has also been described in one patient coinfected with HIV-1 and HTLV-II [Berger et al., Neurology, 41:85-87 (1991)] and in several additional HTLV-II infected individuals. [Hjelle et al., Lancet, 339:645-646 (1992); Rosenblatt et al., AIDS, 6:1151-1158 (1992)].

[0006] HTLV-II was first identified in a patient (“Mo”) with a T-cell variant hairy cell leukemia. [Saxon et al., Ann. Intern. Med., 88:323-326 (1978); Kalyanaraman et al., Science, 218:571-573 (1982)]. A “Mo” cell line was established from the spleen cells of that patient, and the Mo provirus was characterized. [Chen et al., Nature, 305:502-505 (1983)]. U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,032 to Golde et al. further describes the Mo T-lymphoblast cell line and the proteinaceous products produced by that cell line. The nucleotide sequence of the Mo provirus has also been determined. [Shimotohno et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82:3101-3105 (1985)].

[0007] In 1986, Rosenblatt et al. reported the second isolation of HTLV-II in a patient (“NRA”) with an atypical hairy cell leukemia. [Rosenblatt et al., New Engl. J. Med., 315:372-377 (1986)]. Cell lines, NRA, NRA-P, NRA-WM 2, and NRA-SH were established and restriction enzyme analysis of the new HTLV-II isolate was performed. The data from the genetic analysis of the NRA isolate showed that the genomes of HTLV-IIMo and HTLV-IINRA are not identical. [Id.]. Rosenblatt et al., Blood, 71:363-369 (1988), later reported in a follow-up analysis of the NRA patient's HTLV infection that the patient had two coexistent lymphoproliferative disorders of distinct T and B cell origin.

[0008] Recently, Hall et al. and Dube et al. have described and compared various HTLV-II isolates. Based on partial sequencing of the gp21e envelope region and restriction mapping of several HTLV-II isolates from intravenous drug users, Hall et al. have proposed that HTLV-IIMo and HTLV-IINRA are two different HTLV-II subtypes. [Hall et al., J. Virol., 66:2456-2463 (1992)]. Particularly, Hall et al. describe HTLV-IIMo as being subtype A and HTLV-IINRA as being subtype B.

[0009] Dube et al., J. Virol., 67:1175-1184 (1993) have also investigated the heterogeneity of HTLV-II in different patients residing in the Western hemisphere. Dube et al. report that at least two genetically distinct HTLV-II strains are present in the Western hemisphere. Based on the data obtained in the study, Dube et al. suggest that HTLV-II isolates introduced into the New World were more heterogeneous than the HTLV-I strains.

[0010] Various compositions and assays for detecting HTLV-I infection have been described. [See, for example, WO 85/01803 to Slamon, published Mar. 27, 1986]. The Abbott Laboratories' HTLV-I EIA is a commercially available kit assaying for HTLV-I antibodies. The kit employs HTLV-I viral lysate-coated beads. There is also commercially available from Cambridge Technologies a kit assaying for HTLV-I antibodies. That kit employs HLTV-I viral lysate and recombinant gp21E protein attached to microtiter plate wells.

[0011] Compositions and assays for detecting and/or differentiating HTLV-I and HTLV-II infection have also been described. [See, for example, co-owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/170,063, filed Dec. 20, 1993; WO 90/10231 to Blomberg, published Mar. 5, 1990; WO 90/15820 to Vahlne, published Dec. 27, 1990; Lal et al., J. Infectious Diseases, 163:41-46 (January 1991)].

[0012] To Applicants' knowledge, prior to the filing of the present application the NRA provirus and NRA infected cell lines were not publicly available. Moreover, Applicants are not aware of any publications reporting the use of the presently disclosed NRA compositions in assays or kits to detect HTLV infection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] One embodiment of the invention is directed to various DNA sequences derived from HTLV-IINRA provirus. More particularly, there is provided:

[0014] a DNA sequence coding the genome of HTLV-IINRA provirus;

[0015] a DNA sequence coding for the HTLV-IINRA gag region and for gag p19, p24, and p15;

[0016] a DNA sequence coding for the HTLV-IINRA pol region;

[0017] a DNA sequence coding for the HTLV-IINRA env region and for env p21e;

[0018] a DNA sequence coding for the HTLV-IINRA tax region; and

[0019] a DNA sequence coding for the HTLV-IINRA rex region. Amino acid sequences corresponding to the respective DNA sequences are also provided.

[0020] Another embodiment of the invention is directed to HTLV-IINRA compositions, including polypeptides and proteins coded by the sequences disclosed in the present application, purified HTLV-IINRA viral lysate, purified HTLV-IINRA, and tissue culture grown cells infected with HTLV-IINRA.

[0021] Another embodiment of the invention is directed to methods and assays for detecting anti-HTLV antibodies in a test sample.

[0022] A further embodiment of the invention is directed to kits for detecting anti-HTLV antibodies in a test sample.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a genomic sequence diagram and restriction map of the HTLV-IINRA provirus.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows the complete nucleotide sequence of the HTLV-IINRA genome.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a graph comparing results of the HTLV-I EIA and the HTLV-I/HTLV-II NRA lysate bead assay for a dilution panel of HTLV-I positive samples.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a graph comparing results of the HTLV-I EIA and the HTLV-I/HTLV-II NRA lysate bead assay for a dilution panel of HTLV-II positive samples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] The present invention provides various compositions derived from HTLV-IINRA provirus and HTLV-IINRA infected cell lines. The compositions of the invention include HTLV-IINRA provirus lysates and DNA sequences coding the entire genome of the NRA provirus and parts thereof. These and other compositions are described further below. The NRA isolate of HTLV-II was first identified in a patient diagnosed with an atypical hairy cell leukemia. [Rosenblatt et al., New Engl. J. Med., 315:372-377 (1986)]. Cell lines infected with the NRA isolate, NRA, NRA-P, NRA-WM 2, and NRA-SH, were then established. The NRA-P cell line is a Leu 4+ T-cell line established from a culture of Patient NRA's peripheral blood lymphocytes in the presence of phytohemagglutinin. [Rosenblatt et al., New Engl. J. Med., 315:372-377 (1986)]. The WIL-NRA cell line, produced from cocultivation of Patient NRA's peripheral blood lymphocytes with the EBV-transformed B-cell line, WIL-2, is a B cell line that does not produce factors such as cytokines, colony stimulating factor, interferon, or growth factors. Prior to the filing of the present application, the NRA provirus and NRA infected cell lines were not publicly available.

[0028] The WIL-NRA cell line has been deposited at the American Type Culture Collection, 12301 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, Md. 20852, as of Mar. 15, 1994, under the terms of the Budapest Treaty, and will be maintained for a period of thirty (30) years from the date of deposit, or for five (5) years after the last request for the deposit, or for the enforceable period of the U.S. patent, whichever is longer. The deposit described herein is provided for convenience only, and is not required to practice the invention in view of the teachings provided herein. The WIL-NRA cell line was accorded ATCC No. CRL 11580.

[0029] One embodiment of the invention relates to a NRA lysate. NRA lysates useful in the practice of the invention include lysates of NRA infected cell lines and NRA provirus which may be prepared in a variety of ways. For example, the lysate may be prepared by standard procedures known in the art. Modifications of standard procedures for preparing the NRA lysate can also be used. For instance, a purified NRA lysate may be prepared according to the process described in Example 1 below. Other suitable and equivalent modifications and preparations of NRA lysate are also contemplated and will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0030] Nucleotide and amino acid sequences derived from the NRA provirus are also provided by the invention. The NRA provirus was cloned and sequenced, as described in Example 2 below. The entire genomic sequence of the NRA provirus is disclosed in FIG. 2. The genomic sequence of the NRA provirus is also provided in SEQ ID NO:1 in the SEQUENCE LISTING below.

[0031] The nucleotide sequence encoding the NRA provirus gg region is also provided. The gag region comprises nucleotides 810-2111 of the genomic sequence shown in FIG. 2 and SEQ ID NO:2. The corresponding amino acid sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO:3. As shown in FIG. 1, the gag region encodes p19, p24, and p15. Gag p19 comprises nucleotides 810-1217. Gag p24 comprises nucleotides 1218-1859, and gag p15 comprises nucleotides 1860-2111. These nucleotide sequences are shown in SEQ ID NOs 4, 6, and 8, respectively, of the SEQUENCE LISTING. The amino acid sequences corresponding to the p19, p24, and p15 nucleotide sequences are provided in SEQ ID NOs 5, 7, and 9, respectively.

[0032] The nucleotide sequence encoding the NRA pol region is also provided. The pol region, which includes the pol precursor, comprises nucleotides 2242-5190 in the sequence shown in FIG. 2 and SEQ ID NO:10. The amino acid sequence corresponding to the nucleotide sequence encoding the pol region is provided in SEQ ID NO:11 in the SEQUENCE LISTING.

[0033] The invention further provides the nucleotide sequence encoding the NRA env region. The env region comprises nucleotides 5183-6643 in the sequence shown in FIG. 2 and SEQ ID NO:12. The corresponding amino acid sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO:13. As shown in FIG. 1, the env region encodes gp46 and p21e. Env p21e comprises nucleotides 6107-6643. (See, SEQ ID NO:14). The amino acid sequence corresponding to the p21e nucleotide sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO:15.

[0034] The nucleotide sequence encoding the NRA tax/rex region is also provided. The NRA tax region comprises nucleotides 5183-5186 and 7216-8282 in the sequence of FIG. 2 and SEQ ID NO:16. As shown in FIG. 1, the tax region encodes p40x. The rex region comprises nucleotides 5124-5186 and 7216-7665 in the sequence shown in FIG. 2 and SEQ ID NO:18. The rex region encodes p26. (FIG. 1). The amino acid sequences corresponding to the tax and rex region nucleotide sequences are shown in SEQ ID NOs 17 and 19, respectively. As described in Example 3 below, the sequence encoding the NRA tax/rex region comprises an additional 25 amino acids as compared to the tax/rex region of the HTLV-IIMo provirus. Further comparisons are shown in Table 4d below. Typically, the tax/rex region is involved in regulating or controlling expression of genes. Although not fully understood, it is believed that the additional amino acids may alter the function of the tax gene since it has been reported that carboxy terminal mutants of HTLV-I tax may affect specificity of cellular targets by altering transactivation through specific pathways such as the NFkB pathway. [Ruben et al., Neu. Biol., 1:275 (1989)].

[0035] The sequences described above may be produced by techniques known in the art. For example, the sequences may be obtained by purification of proviral DNA by phenol/chloroform extraction or PCR, or produced by recombinant cloning techniques or chemical synthesis. The nucleotide sequences may be single stranded or double stranded. It is contemplated that NRA peptides, polypeptides, and proteins corresponding to the disclosed sequences or fragments thereof may also be produced by techniques known in the art.

[0036] Fragments of the disclosed nucleotide and amino acid sequences may have the functionality or capacity of the NRA sequences specified herein. Nucleotide and amino acid sequences having certain deletions, insertions, or substitutions may also have the functionality or capacity of the NRA sequences specified herein. All such sequences and the use of such sequences are considered to come within the scope of the present invention.

[0037] The NRA compositions disclosed by the invention may be utilized in a variety of ways. For instance, the nucleotide sequences may be used to detect the presence of complementary sequences associated with HTLV. The sequences may also be used as primers or probes in ligase chain reaction (“LCR”) or polymerase chain reaction (“PCR”) techniques. PCR amplification is known in the art and is further described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195 and 4,683,202. LCR techniques are also known in the art and are described further in EP-A-320-308, EP-A-336-731, WO 89/09835, and WO 89/12696. The NRA compositions may also be used as either probes or antigens in Southern or Western Blot techniques known in the art. [Towbin et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 76:4350-4354 (1979); Southern, J. Mol. Biol., 98:503-517 (1975)]. It is also contemplated that the NRA compositions may be used to produce antibodies and vaccines. Further, the NRA compositions may be employed in the methods and kits described below.

[0038] The methods of the present invention relate to assays for detecting antibodies associated with HTLV in a test sample. The assays include but are not limited to, conventional immunoassays such as agglutination, radioimmunoassays, enzyme immunoassays, luminescence assays and fluorescence assays. Various assay formats known in the art may be utilized, such as direct and indirect sandwich assays and dot blot assays. In one embodiment, HTLV-II antibodies are detected. In an alternative embodiment, HTLV-I and/or HTLV-II antibodies are detected. The methods of the invention employ at least one NRA composition. The NRA composition may include viral lysate, purified, synthetic, or recombinant-produced protein, polypeptide or peptide, nucleic acid sequence, or combinations thereof. It is contemplated that the NRA composition may be used alone or in combination with other diagnostic reagents. For instance, as described in Example 1 below, NRA lysate and HTLV-I viral lysate are used to detect HTLV-I and/or HTLV-II antibodies. It is contemplated that the NRA lysate can be used in combination with a spike antigen or recombinant or synthetic proteins. It is further contemplated that the NRA composition can be employed in combination with other known reagents to detect antibodies and/or antigens, including but not limited to those antibodies and/or antigens associated with human immunodeficiency virus (“HIV”), hepatitis B virus (“HBV”) or hepatitis C virus (“HCV”).

[0039] In a preferred embodiment of the present methods, antibodies to HTLV-I and/or HTLV-II are detected. The method comprises contacting a test sample with NRA lysate and HTLV-I viral lysate to form a reaction mixture. One or more solid phases may be used in the assay. As used in the present application, the term “test sample” refers to a sample of human or animal biological fluid, including but not limited to, serum, plasma, ascites, urine, cerebral spinal fluid or any other body constituents or tissue culture supernatants. The term “solid phase” is used in a broad sense and refers to any material which is insoluble, or can be made insoluble by a subsequent reaction. The solid phase can be a variety of materials and can be selected by one skilled in the art without undue experimentation. Examples of solid phases for use in the invention include, but are not limited to, porous and non-porous materials, latex particles, microparticles, beads, membranes, plastic tubes, and microtiter wells. The size, dimensions, and shape of the solid phase may be selected by one skilled in the art. Those skilled in the art may determine empirically suitable solid phases for the assay and will readily appreciate that the selection of the solid phase will depend on various factors such as the quantity of test sample, the steps involved in the assay, and the means utilized for detecting and measuring the labels.

[0040] Suitable methods for attaching the lysate on the solid phase include ionic, hydrophobic and covalent bonding. Such techniques for attaching the lysate are within the ordinary skill in the art. Linking agents known in the art may also be utilized to secure attachment of the lysate on the solid phase. The linking agent may be incorporated as part of, or derivatized onto, the solid phase before the lysate is added.

[0041] The reaction mixture is incubated for a time and under conditions sufficient for HTLV antigen/antibody complexes to form. Selecting appropriate times, temperature, and other conditions of the incubation are well within the skill in the art. The reaction mixture may be simultaneously contacted, or subsequently contacted, with an indicator reagent comprising a binding member attached to a signal generating compound, to form a second reaction mixture. The binding member can be any molecule capable of specifically binding HTLV antigen or antibody, including a hapten or anti-hapten such as biotin or anti-biotin, avidin or biotin, carbohydrate, lectin, complementary nucleotide sequence, and enzymes. Such binding members are known in the art and are commercially available. The signal generating compounds, or “labels,” contemplated by the invention include chromogens, catalysts such as enzymes, luminescent compounds such as fluorescein and rhodamine, chemiluminescent compounds, radioactive labels and direct visual labels. Examples of enzymes include alkaline phosphatase, horseradish peroxidase, beta-galactosidase. The selection of suitable labels is within the skill in the art. Preferably, the label is capable of producing a signal either by itself or in conjunction with one or more additional substances. It will also be readily apparent to those persons skilled in the art that various techniques known in the art may be employed to attach or “conjugate” the label to the binding member. The second reaction mixture is incubated for a time and under conditions sufficient to form HTLV antigen/antibody/indicator reagent complexes. The presence of HTLV is determined by detecting the label associated with or bound to the solid phase or by detecting the label associated with or bound to the unreacted indicator reagent. Any, or all, steps in the disclosed methods may be automated or performed manually.

[0042] Although the methods above describe the use of NRA lysate, it is contemplated that purified, synthesized, or recombinantly-produced NRA peptides, polypeptides and proteins may be employed in such methods to detect antibodies to HTLV. Moreover, while the present invention discloses the preference for use of one or more solid phases, it is contemplated that the NRA compositions may be utilized in non-solid phase, or homogeneous, assays. These assays are known to those skilled in the art and are considered to lie within the scope of the present invention.

[0043] The present invention also provides kits for detecting HTLV antibodies. Generally, the kit comprises one or more containers holding NRA lysate. Alternatively, the one or more containers may hold purified, synthetic or recombinant NRA protein, polypeptide or peptide. Suitable containers include bottles, vials, trays, test tubes and microtiter plates. Preferably, the kit also includes a label or package insert which indicates that the NRA composition in the kit is used to detect HTLV antibodies. The label or package insert may also indicate directions for conducting HTLV assay, such as those disclosed in the present application. The kit may also comprise suitable reagents such as buffers, diluents, enzymes and the like.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the kit comprises trays containing multiple beads or microparticles having attached thereto NRA lysate; peroxidase-labeled goat antibody to human IgG; antibody diluent; test sample diluent; OPD tablets; and color detection diluent. In a more preferred embodiment, the kit further comprises HTLV-I lysate.

[0045] The following Examples illustrate ways of making the novel compositions of the present invention and performing assays using those compositions. The Examples, however, are intended only to be illustrative, and are not to be construed as placing limitations upon the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES

[0046] The methods employed in the examples below were performed according to standard tissue culture and molecular genetics techniques known in the art, and as described by Maniatis et al., Molecular Cloning, a Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor (1982), unless indicated otherwise. The restriction enzymes used in the following examples were obtained from Gibco BRL, Gaithersburg, Md., and New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass. They were used according to the manufacturer's instructions unless indicated otherwise.

Example 1

Assays Employing HTLV-I and HTLV-II Viral Lysates to Detect HTLV-I and/or HTLV-II Antibodies

[0047] A. Viral Lysate Preparation

[0048] Viral lysates were prepared as follows. HTLV-I was isolated from cell line HUT-102:B2 (Advanced Biotechnologies, Inc. Bethesda, Md.). HUT-102:B2 is a clone of HUT-102 (available from the American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, Md.), and produces the same virus as HUT-102. HTLV-II was isolated from NRA infected cell line WIL-NRA, described above. First, the viruses were grown in tissue culture. A serum-containing medium was used, such as RPMI-1640 (Gibco BRL, Gaithersburg, Md.) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. The viruses excreted into the culture medium were then harvested and used to prepare the lysates. The cells in which the viruses are grown were not lysed.

[0049] The harvested viruses were purified by continuous flow ultracentrifugation and passed over a 20%-45% sucrose density gradient using a CF32 rotor. Intact virus was selected based on buoyant density of 1.15 for HTLV-I and 1.14 for HTLV-II. Sucrose concentrations from 28.5% to 38.7% were pooled. Next, the pooled viruses were lysed using 0.25% TRITON X100 in Tris saline buffer (10 mM Tris, 150 mM NaCl) and sonication, followed by centrifugation. The supernatant obtained after centrifugation contained the viral lysate.

[0050] B. HTLV-I/HTLV-II NRA Lysate Bead Assay Testing HTLV-I Positive Samples and

[0051] HTLV-II Positive Samples

[0052] The HTLV-I and HTLV-II viral lysates (prepared as described in Section A above) were combined at about a 50:50 ratio and then coated by hydrophobic adsorption onto about ¼ inch diameter polystyrene beads (Unity, Des Plaines, Ill.), described in further detail below.

[0053] All washing and recirculation steps were performed in a bead coating column. A coating solution was prepared by adding the lysates and TRITON X100 to phosphate buffered solution (“PBS”) and mixing. Beads were loaded into a column and washed with 15% propanol for 25-35 minutes. The coating solution was added and recirculated for 2 hours ±5 minutes at about 40° C. The beads were rinsed with PBS, washed with PBS containing TRITON X100 for 30±2 minutes at about 40° C., and rinsed again with PBS. A blocking solution (PBS containing bovine serum albumin) was added, recirculated for 30 ±2 minutes at about 40° C., and followed by a PBS rinse. Next, an overcoat solution (PBS containing 2% sucrose) was added and recirculated for 10-20 minutes. The beads were then dried with nitrogen for 60-90 minutes initially at 40° C. and then at 25° C., unloaded from the column, filled into containers and stored dessicated at 2-8° C.

[0054] Assays were conducted by testing thirty three samples (8 HTLV-I confirmed positive samples, 20 HTLV-II confirmed positive samples, and 5 non-differentiated samples). The samples (10 &mgr;l) were diluted (1:41) with a diluent (400 &mgr;l) which blocks nonspecific binding. The diluent was sterile filtered and contained 10% calf serum, 20% goat serum, 2% nonfat dry milk, 0.15% TRITON X100, sodium azide, EDTA, and EGTA in a standard Tris-PBS buffer containing 0.15 M NaCl. The nonfat dry milk was not denatured or heated. Normal human serum which did not contain HTLV-I or HTLV-II antibodies (negative control) and human sera confirmed for HTLV-I or HTLV-II antibodies (positive controls) were also tested.

[0055] The diluted samples and controls (200 &mgr;l) were added to the wells of a 5″×11″ plate (Courtesy, Wheeling, Ill.) containing 60 wells per plate. Lysate-coated beads were placed in the plates, one bead per well, and the plates were covered with a seal. The plates were incubated for 60±5 minutes at about 40±2° C. in a COMMANDER® Dynamic Incubator (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Ill.) using the rotational mode.

[0056] The cover seal from the plates was removed and the beads were washed with distilled water. Goat antibody to human IgG (gamma specific) labeled with horseradish peroxidase (Kirkegaard & Perry, Gaithersburg, Md.) was then added to each well. The labeled goat antibody was provided in Tris-saline buffer containing 10% fetal calf serum and 0.25% TRITON X100. The labeled goat antibody was diluted before use with a diluent containing 15% fetal calf serum, 5% goat serum, 0.25% TRITON X100 in Tris buffer. New cover seals were then applied to each plate.

[0057] After a further incubation for 30±5 minutes at about 40±2° C. (in the COMMANDER® Dynamic Incubator described above) and washing the beads with distilled water, 300 &mgr;l freshly prepared substrate solution (hydrogen peroxide and orthophenylenediamine, “OPD,” J.P. Baker, Phillipsburg, N.J.) was added to each well. The plates were covered to protect from light. The plates were then incubated at room temperature for 30±2 minutes. Color development was stopped by adding about 300 &mgr;l to 1 ml 1N sulfuric acid to each well. The absorbance of the liquid phase was then measured at A 492 nm.

[0058] For comparison, the samples described above were also assayed using the Cambridge Technologies HTLV-I kit, conducted in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. The Cambridge Technologies HTLV-I assay failed to detect several HTLV-II positive samples (which were detected in the HTLV-I/II NRA lysate bead assay) and performed particularly poor when HTLV-II samples were diluted 1:125 - 1:2000 (0 detected) as compared to the same dilutions in the HTLV-I/II NRA lysate bead assay (5 positive samples detected). Results of the HTLV-I/II NRA lysate bead assay showed that the use of the HTLV-I and HTLV-II NRA lysate increased the detectability of HTLV-II positive samples and increased sensitivity for HTLV-I positive samples. The HTLV-I/II NRA lysate bead assay also showed increased specificity (at a rate of 99.93%).

[0059] C. HTLV-I/HTLV-II NRA Lysate Bead Assay Testing Random Plasma Samples

[0060] A panel of plasma samples was obtained from donors and screened for ALT, HBsAg, HCV antibodies, HIV-1, HIV-2, HBcAg, syphilis, and HTLV-I. A total of 1057 plasma samples were tested in Abbott's HTLV-I EIA (according to manufacturer's instructions) and the HTLV-I/II NRA lysate bead assay, as described in Section B above. Samples were considered reactive when the S/CO was ≧1.000. The results are shown in Table 1 below. 1 TABLE 1 Number SD to # Assay Tested OD SD S/CO SD CO Reactive HTLV-I 1057 0.142 0.048 0.278 0.092 7.82 1* EIA HTLV-I/II 1057 0.093 0.031 0.177 0.057 14.44 1* Lysate S/CO = sample/cutoff value SD = standard deviation OD = optical density SD to CO = number of sample standard deviations from population mean to assay cutoff *Sample was indeterminant by supplemental tests.

[0061] The data indicates that within the panel of plasma samples tested, there was improved performance by the HTLV-I/II NRA lysate bead assay. In the HTLV-I/II NRA lysate bead assay, the sample population mean was separated from the assay cutoff by 14.44 population standard deviations compared to 7.82 population standard deviations for the HTLV-I EIA assay. The increased number of standard deviations from the population mean to the assay standard cutoff is advantageous because it decreases the potential for false reactivity and false positives.

[0062] D. Effect of Potentially Interfering Substances on Specificity of the HTLV-I/HTLV-II NRA Lysate Bead Assay

[0063] A panel of potentially interfering substance samples was assayed in the HTLV-I/II NRA lysate bead assay (as described in Section B above) and the Abbott HTLV-I EIA (according to manufacturer's instructions) to examine specificity. A total of 167 individual specimens, from 18 sample categories (shown in Table 2 below) were tested. The results of the assays are shown in Table 2. 2 TABLE 2 HTLV-I EIA HTLV-I/II HTLV-I/HTLV-II Lysate (Lot A) Lysate (Lot B) Number Sample Category Tested # Reactive # Reactive # Reactive Anti-HCV Positive 10 1* 0 0 Acute Hepatitis B 7 0 0 0 Chronic Hepatitis B 13 0 0 0 Anti-CMV Positive 10 0 0 0 Anti-Rubella Positive 10 0 0 0 Anti-Toxo Positive 10 0 0 0 Anti-VZV Positive 9 0 0 0 Anti-EBV Positive 10 0 0 0 Anti-HSV Positive 10 0 0 0 Pregnant Females 10 0 0 0 Myeloma Patients 10 1** 0 0 Autoimmune Disease 10 0 0 0 Milk Allergic Donors 8 0 0 0 Hyper-Gammaglobulinemia 10 0 0 0 Elevated Bilirubin 10 0 0 0 Elevated Triglycerides 5 0 0 0 Elevated Cholesterol 5 0 0 0 Elevated Hemoglobin 10 0 0 0 *Panel member HCV # 8 is indeterminant in a supplemental test. **Panel member Myeloma # 10 is negative in a supplemental test.

[0064] No false reactivity was exhibited in the HTLV-I/II NRA lysate bead assay. In the panel, HCV (#8) and Myeloma (#10) were reactive in the HTLV-I EIA assay. Supplemental testing of the HCV (#8) and Myeloma (#10) samples by the Diagnostic Biotechnologies Laboratories HTLV-I/II Western Blot (Version 2.3) kit showed HCV (#8) indeterminant and Myeloma (#10) negative.

[0065] E. HTLV-I/HTLV-II NRA Lysate Bead Assay Testing Serially Diluted HTLV-I Positive Samples and HTLV-II Positive Samples

[0066] PCR confirmed HTLV-I positive and HTLV-II positive samples were serially diluted and assayed in the HTLV-I EIA (according to manufacturer's instructions) and the HTLV-I/II NRA lysate bead assay (as described in Section B above) to assess the relative sensitivity of the assays. Two panels each of the HTLV-I and HTLV-II samples were prepared by diluting the respective positive plasmas into recalcified negative plasma.

[0067] Graphs of the results of the assays are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The data is summarized in Table 3 below. 3 TABLE 3 HTLV-I/II HTLV-I HTLV-I/II Lysate (Lot B) Number EIA (Lot A) Sample/Dilution Range Tested # Reactive # Reactive # Reactive A. HTLV-I (1:25-1:800) 6 2 4 4 B. HTLV-I (Neat-1:2048) 12 8 9 9 C. HTLV-I (Neat-1:2048) 12 7 9 8 D. HTLV-II (1:125-1:2000) 7 1 3 3 E. HTLV-II (Neat-1:2048) 12 8 11 11 F. HTLV-II (Neat-1:2048) 12 8 10 10 TOTALS 61 34 46 45

[0068] The overall dilution series reactivity for the HTLV-I/II NRA lysate bead assays (46/61 for Lot A and 45/61 for Lot B) exceeded the HTLV-I EIA (34/61). The data also showed that the HTLV-I/II NRA lysate bead assay had increased sensitivity for HTLV-I and HTLV-II antibody compared to the HTLV-I EIA as demonstrated by an elevated,sample cutoff value for all diluted samples.

[0069] F. HTLV-I/HTLV-II NRA Lysate Microparticle Assay

[0070] Microparticles of approximately 0.2-0.3 micron (purchased from Serodyne, Indianapolis, Ind.) were coated with either the HTLV-I or HTLV-II NRA lysate (prepared as described in Section A above) so that there were two types of microparticles - microparticles coated only with HTLV-I viral lysate and microparticles coated only with HTLV-II NRA viral lysate. HTLV-I lysate coated microparticles were coated at about 35° C. for 16-24 hours at about 5 times the working concentration (60 &mgr;g/ml with 0.6% solids). HTLV-II lysate coated microparticles were coated at room temperature for 16-24 hours at about 10 times the working concentration (60 &mgr;g/ml with 0.6% solids). The types of microparticles were then combined to form a mixture containing 12 &mgr;g/ml HTLV-I, 6 &mgr;g/ml HTLV-II, 9% sucrose, 50 mM EDTA, 0.1 M phosphate, 0.1% BSA, 0.1% Tween, 0.1% azide, pH 7.5.

[0071] Assays were conducted by testing HTLV-I confirmed positive samples, HTLV-II confirmed positive samples, and non-differentiated samples. Approximately 100 &mgr;l of test sample plasma or serum was added to wells in a reaction tray. Next, 50 &mgr;l of the microparticle mixture was added to the wells and the sample/microparticle mixtures were incubated for about 18 minutes at 35° C. The incubation took place in the reaction well portion of the reaction tray.

[0072] Following the incubation, the reaction mixture was transferred to a capture membrane positioned in the reaction tray by two washes with 300 &mgr;l of a transfer buffer (0.01 M phosphate, 150 mM NaCl, 0.1% polyethylene glycol, 0.1% sodium azide, pH 7.2). About 10 minutes was allowed to complete drainage of the liquid from the reaction well.

[0073] Then, 50 &mgr;l of a probe mixture was added to the microparticles on the capture membrane. The probe mixture included a blend of biotinylated HTLV-I (about 10 ng/ml), HTLV-II (about 20 ng/ml), glycoprotein (40 ng/ml), 0.1 M Tris, 2% bovine serum, 0.1 M NaCl, 0.1% azide, pH 8.0. The mixture was then incubated at 35° C. for about 20 minutes. HTLV-I probes were biotinylated at between 2-8° C. for 16-24 hours at 500 &mgr;g/ml (0.4:1 wt:wt ratio biotin/antigen). HTLV-II probes were biotinylated at 2-8° C. for 16-24 hours at 200 &mgr;g/ml (0.8:1 wt:wt ratio biotin/antigen). Glycoprotein was biotinylated at 2-8° C. for 16-24 hours at 200 &mgr;g/ml (0.5:1 wt:wt ratio biotin/antigen). All biotinylated preparations were dialyzed prior to use. The glycoprotein was also precipitated using ammonium sulfate prior to use.

[0074] Unbound probe was washed into an absorbent blotter in the reaction tray by 300 &mgr;l of a wash solution containing 0.1 M Tris, 0.1% TRITON X100, 150 mM NaCl, 0.1% sodium azide, pH 8.5. Next, 50 &mgr;l of an acridinium labeled anti-biotin mouse monoclonal antibody (160 ng/ml diluted in 0.01 M phosphate, 0.15 M NaCl, 4% BSA, 1% TRITON X100, 0.1% azide, pH 6.3; labeling performed by reacting for 10 min. about 5:1 molar ratio acridinium/antibody to reach ratio of 1.8:1, then fractionated over an HPLC sizing column) was added and incubated for an additional 10 minutes at 35° C. Unbound conjugate was washed into the blotter with 300 &mgr;l of a wash solution (0.025 M MES, 0.9% NaCl, 0.1% Proclin, pH 5.7). After 10 minutes, the acridinium label was triggered by injecting 50 &mgr;l of an alkaline peroxide activator solution (0.2 N NaOH, 0.2% hydrogen peroxide, 0.03% DTPA) and photons were collected and counted.

[0075] For comparison, the test samples were also assayed using the Cambridge Technologies HTLV-I kit and Abbott HTLV-I EIA, both conducted in accordance with manufacturer instructions. Samples were considered reactive when the sample value to cut off value ratio (S/CO) was ≧1.00. The results are shown below in Tables 3a, 3b, and 3c. 4 TABLE 3a HTLV-I Confirmed Positive Test Samples Sample Microparticie Cambridge ID Assay HTLV-I EIA Assay Prism 1B 4.1 1.7 3.99 Prism 1C 2.75 1.5 3.51 Prism 5B 3.75 2.79 Prism 7D 1.5 2.8 2.05 Prism 7G 2.25 1.3 1.41 Prism 7H 7.4 2.6 4.9 Prism 7U 10.05 5.41 Prism 7V 14 6

[0076] 5 TABLE 3b HTLV-II Confirmed Positive Test Samples Sample Microparticle Cambridge ID Assay HTLV-I EIA Assay Prism 3-4 7.15 1 3.38 Prism 5E 7.8 2.47 Prism 5G 4.5 1.06 Prism 6-219 6.35 0.8 2.13 Prism 6C 22.7 1.4 3.92 Prism 6K 14.25 0.3 2.93 Prism 6M 11.95 0.2 2.01 Prism 6P 14.6 2.05 Prism 8I 16.8 1.6 1.76 BH 4338 5.4 0.8 1.12 BH 9483 6.2 0.7 0.98 BH 5328 2.75 1 1.7 BH 9725 10.85 1.3 2.14 BH 9726 14.45 3 6.18

[0077] 6 TABLE 3c Non-Differentiated Test Samples Sample Microparticle Cambridge ID Assay HTLV-I EIA Assay Prism 3-8 10.35 1.6 5.62 Prism 3-9 14.35 1.1 3.34 Prism 3-10 12.15 1.5 2.86 Prism 3-15 19.4 2 2.98 Prism 3-17 10.7 1.1 2.33 Prism 3-25 10.35 1.2 4.37 Prism 3-28 14.35 1.6 3.1 Prism 3-46 12 1.5 3.53 Prism 3-47 12.3 1.6 2.07 Prism 3-55 12.5 1.2 4.05 Prism 3-57 9.95 1.4 3.57 Prism 3-75 7.3 1 1.04 Prism 5C 4.8 3.64 Prism 5F 9.1 3.16 Prism 5H 11.35 3.97 Prism 5I 13.6 3.6 Prism 5J 13.05 1.69

Example 2

Cloning and Sequencing the Genome of HTLV-IINRA Provirus

[0078] A. Production of HTLV-IINRA Clones

[0079] A complete molecular clone of the HTLV-IINRA provirus (_ NRA19a) was cloned from a genomic library prepared from restriction enzyme, Sau 3A, partially-digested genomic DNA from the HTLV-IINRA infected cell line, NRA-P. [Rosenblatt et al., New Engl. J. Med., 315:372-377 (1986)]. Sau 3A digested genomic DNA was size fractionated on a sodium chloride gradient, and inserts measuring 8 to 23 kb were subcloned into the Sau 3A site of EMBL3 (Stratagene, LaJolla, Calif.). Transformants were packaged using Gigapack Plus® (Stratagene, LaJolla, Calif.) and transformed into LE392 (Stratagene, LaJolla, Calif.). Approximately 106 phage plaques in a restrictive bacterial host strain of E. coli (Strain LE 392, Stratagene, LaJolla, Calif.) were screened using a 4.7 kb BamHI fragment of HTLV-IIMo clone pH6neo (pH6 B5.0) and were rescreened with a 3.5 kb BamHI 3′ fragment from pH6neo (pH6 B3.5). [Chen et al., Nature, 3:502-505 (1983)]. Clones that hybridized to both probes were isolated. The largest of the clones, designated _ NRA19a, was found to contain complete gag, pol, env, tax and rex coding sequences. This clone was digested with BamHI and resultant fragments subcloned into PM13 SK+ Bluescript vector (Stratagene, LaJolla, Calif.) yielding the following three clones: PM13.NRA1.5 (1.5kb including partial 5′ LTR and gag); PM13.NRA3.3 (3.3kb including 3′ gag and pol); and PM13.NRA3.5 (3.5kb including partial 3′ pol and tax/rex).

[0080] B. Subcloning

[0081] HTLV-II clone PM13.NRA 3.3 was digested with Xbal and clone PM13.NRA3.5 was digested with Clal to generate the restriction fragments illustrated in FIG. 1. Fragments were subcloned into M13, mp18, and mp19 (all obtained from Pharmacia Biotech, Inc., Piscataway, N.J.). Complementary orientations were screened by direct gel electrophoresis and complementation testing on ethidium bromide stained gels. [Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, a Laboratory Manual, Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 4.39-4.43 (1989)].

[0082] C. Nucleotide Sequencing

[0083] Sanger dideoxy sequence walking strategy [Sanger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 74:5463-5467 (1977)] was performed using M13 forward primers (United States Biochemical Corp., Cleveland, Ohio). Sequencing reactions were performed with Sequenase® version 2.0 protocol (United States Biochemical, Cleveland, Ohio) using [—32P]ATP signal incorporation (Amersham, Arlington Heights, Ill.). Sequences were resolved on 1 meter 6% and 4% polyacrylamide/8M urea gels [Barker et al., Plant Mol. Bio., 2:335-350 (1983)] and data were transcribed from autoradiograms into Intelligenetics Suite software (Intelligenetics, Mountain View, Calif.) for assembly and analysis. The complete nucleotide sequence of HTLV-IINRA provirus consisted of 8957 bases and is shown in FIG. 2 and SEQ ID NO. 1 in the SEQUENCE LISTING below.

Example 3

Comparison of HTLV-IINRA and HTLV-IIMo Genomes

[0084] Sequence alignment between proviral genomes of HTLV-II isolate Mo (8952 nucleotides) and isolate NRA was performed. The HTLV-IINRA complete genome was aligned to the HTLV-IIMo sequence (GenBank accession number M10060) using the GCG software package [Devereux et al., Nucleic Acids. Res., 12:387 (1984)] and the GAP alignment program [Needleman et al., J. Mol. Biol., 48:443-453 (1970)]. Overall percent homology between the two isolates was 95.2% with 430 nucleotide changes, 8 deletions and 10 insertions in HTLV-IINRA as compared to HTLV-IIMo. Table 4a below shows the nucleotide homology in the 5′ LTR region. 7 TABLE 4a Comparison of LTR sequence data for HTLV-II isolates Mo and NRA. 2ND CIS REX CIS ACTING ACTING RESPONSIVE REPRESSIVE REPRESSIVE GENOMIC REGION LTR ELEMENT ELEMENT ELEMENT NUCLEOTIDE Mo 1-763 405-520 520-630 645-750 REGION NRA 1-766 400-525 520-635 640-755 TOTAL BASES Mo 763 116 111 106 NRA 766 126 116 116 NT CHANGES IN 47/766 6/126 7/116 11/116 NRA VS MO (6.1%) (4.8%) (6.0%) (9.5%) DELETIONS 6 0 4 0 INSERTIONS 9 10 9 10 % NT HOMOLOGY 719/766 120/126 109/116 105/116 (93.7%)* (94.8%)* (93.4%)* (89.6%)* *reflects identity based on UW GCG gap program.

[0085] As indicated in Table 4a, alignment of the LTR region of HTLV-IIMo (763 bases) and HTLV-IINRA (766 bases) showed overall nucleotide homology of 93.7% with 47 base changes and 15 gaps (6 bases found in HTLV-IIMo only and 9 bases found in HTLV-IINRA only). Homology was 94.8% for the rex responsive element, 93.4% for the first cis acting repressive element (CRS) and only 89.6% for the second cis acting repressor sequence.

[0086] Percent nucleotide and amino acid homology for the major open reading frames gag, protease, and pol are shown in Table 4b below. 8 TABLE 4b Comparison of sequence data for open reading frames gag, protease, and pol of HTLV-II isolates Mo and NRA. GENOMIC PRO- POL (PRE- REGION GAG P19 GAG P24 GAG P15 TEASE CURSOR) NUCLEOTIDE Mo 807- 1215- 1857- 2078- 2239- REGION NRA 1214 1856 2108 2613 5187 810- 1218- 1860- 2081- 2242- 1217 1859 2111 2616 5190* TOTAL BASES Mo 408 642 252 536 2949 NRA 408 642 252 536 2949 NT CHANGES 19/408 25/642 10/252 24/536 144/2949 IN NRA VS (4.7%) (3.9%) (4.0%) (4.5%) (4.9%) MO % NT 389/408 617/642 242/252 512/536 2805/2949 HOMOLOGY (95.3%) (96.1%) (96.0%) (95.5%) (95.1%) TOTAL AMINO 136 214 84 178 983 ACIDS AA CHANGES 1/136 3/214 3/84 6/178 37/983 IN (0.7%) (1.4%) (3.6%) (3.4%) (3.8%) NRA VS MO % AA 135/136 211/214 81/84 172/178 946/983 HOMOLOGY (99.3%) (98.6%) (96.4%) (96.6%) (96.2%) (*) Pol start is at nt 2437.

[0087] Table 4b shows that the gag precursor consisted of 1302 nucleotides with an overall identity of 95.3%, 96.1% and 96.0% for the p19, p24 and p15 gene products, respectively. The gene coded for 434 amino acids with homology of 99.3% for p19, 98.6% for p24 and 96.4% for p15. The protease gene contained 536 bases. Homology with HTLV-IIMo was 95.5% at the nucleotide level and 96.6% for the 178 amino acids. The pol precursor was composed of 2949 nucleotides encoding 983 amino acids. Identity to HTLV-IIMo was 95.1% for the nucleotide sequence and 96.2% for the 983 amino acids.

[0088] Percent nucleotide and amino acid homology for env is shown in Table 4c. The env gene encoded for 487 amino acids including gp46 and p21e. Homology between HTLV-IINRA and HTLV-IIMo was 95.5% for nucleotides 5183 to 6643 and 96.9% at the amino acid level. 9 TABLE 4c Comparison of sequence data for env open reading frames of HTLV-II isolates Mo and NRA. GENOMIC REGION ENV Polyprotein ENV P21E NUCLEOTIDE Mo 5180-6640 6104-6640 REGION NRA 5183-6643 6107-6643 TOTAL BASES Mo 1461 537 NRA 1461 537 NT CHANGES IN NRA 65/1461 (4.5%) 25/537 (4.7%) VS MO % NT HOMOLOGY 1396/1461 (95.5%) 512/537 (95.3%) TOTAL AMINO ACIDS 487 179 AA CHANGES IN 15/487 5/179 NRA VS MO (3.1%) (2.8%) % AA HOMOLOGY 472/487 (96.9%) 174/179 (97.2%)

[0089] 10 TABLE 4d Comparison of sequence data for open reading frames env, tax, and rex of HTLV-II isolates Mo and NRA. (*) Reflects % identity based on UW GCG gap program. () Reflects % identity with or without 25 additional amino acids in NRA. GENOMIC UNTRANSLATED REGION TAX REX ENV TO TAX NOCLEOTIDE Mo 5180-5183, 5121-5183, 6641-7213 REGION 7214-8205 7214-7663 NRA 5183-5186, 5124-5186, 6644-7215 7216-8282 7216-7665 TOTAL BASES Mo 4, 992 63, 450 573 NRA 4, 1067 63, 450 572 NT CHANGES IN 40/1071 11/513 30/572 NRA VS MO (3.7%) (2.1%) (5.2%) % NT 1031/1071 502/513 542/572 HOMOLOGY (96.2%) (97.8%) (94.8%) 2 DELETIONS 1 INSERTION TOTAL AMINO 332 171 ACIDS 357 AA CHANGES IN 7/357 (2.0%) 9/171 (5.3%) NRA VS MO % AA 350/357 162/171 HOMOLOGY (97 9%)* (94.7%)

[0090] The tax/rex coding sequences partially overlap and encode proteins required for viral transcription and mRNA processing. Percent nucleotide and amino acid homology for env is shown in Table 4d. The tax gene of HTLV-IINRA consisted of 1071 nucleotides from bases 7216 to 8282 and included an initiation codon at bases 5183 to 5186. Identity with HTLV-IIMo was 96.2% at the nucleotide level and 97.9% for the amino acids. In HTLV-IINRA, an additional 25 amino acids at the 31 end of the tax/rex open reading frame was present and extended into the 3′ LTR (nucleotide positions 8208 to 8282). For this region, 2 base changes and one amino acid substitution occurred. Rex was encoded by nucleotides 5124 to 5186 and 7216 to 7665. Homology for the 513 base sequence of rex was 97.8% for nucleotides and 94.7% for amino acids.

[0091] In the untranslated env to tax/rex region (Table 4d), identity for the 572 nucleotides from the end of env to the start of tax/rex (bases 6644 to 7215) was 94.8% including 2 deletions and one insertion.

Example 4

Genetic Variation Within the Envelope Gene of HTLV-II Isolates

[0092] A. Methods and Materials

[0093] 1. United States Donor Samples

[0094] As part of a U.S. multi-site prevalence study of HTLV infection [Lee et al., Lancet, 337:1435-1439 (1991)], routine blood donors who had been identified and confirmed as anti-HTLV-I/II seropositive were contacted for study participation and informed consent. Plasma and peripheral blood lymphocytes (“PBL”) were collected from 50 ml of freshly drawn heparinized blood by a Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient. Lymphocytes were cryopreserved and DNA was later extracted for PCR. Following differentiation by PCR, HTLV-II infected subjects with available lymphocytes were selected for further study.

[0095] 2. United States IVDU

[0096] Plasma and packed red blood cells were obtained from consenting anti-HTLV seropositive intravenous drug user (“IVDU”) subjects by plasmapheresis at Serologicals, Inc., Pensacola, Fla. Lymphocytes were collected by Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient and cryopreserved for DNA extraction. HTLV-II infected subjects were selected by PCR.

[0097] 3. Italian IVDU

[0098] Whole blood or plasma and cryopreserved lymphocytes were received from different seropositive IVDU populations in Milano, Italy and from male Caucasian IVDU inmates in a state prison in Rome, Italy. Lymphocytes were harvested from whole blood as described above and were either cryopreserved or placed in continuous cell culture.

[0099] 4. Continuous Culture of PBL's

[0100] Fresh or cryopreserved PBL's from 8 US donors, 10 US IVDU and 16 Italian IVDU were placed in continuous culture. Twenty million donor PBL's, at a concentration of 1 million cells/ml, and 5 million PHA-stimulated umbilical cord blood lymphocytes (Advanced Biotechnologies, Inc., Columbia, Md.) were resuspended in RPMI 1640 media (GIBCO BRL, Gaithersburg, Md.) containing 20% heat inactivated fetal bovine serum and 10% interleukin 2 (IL-2) (Advanced Biotechnologies, Inc., Columbia, Md.). Cells were incubated at 37° C. in the presence of 6% CO2 and were replenished regularly with RPMI 1640 culture media containing 10% IL-2. Five million fresh PHA-stimulated cord blood lymphocytes were added to the cultures at days 7, 14, and 21. At day 40 of culture, IL-2 concentration was gradually decreased until cells were IL-2 independent. Cultures were maintained for 8 to 12 weeks and were cryopreserved at various intervals during expansion.

[0101] 5. Cell Line Controls

[0102] Cloned HTLV-IIMo control DNA was obtained from cell line 729 containing plasmid pH6neo [Rosenblatt et al., N. Engl. J. Med., 313:372-377 (1986)]. HTLV-IINRA control proviral DNA was obtained from cultured PBL's of patient NRA. [Rosenblatt et al., N. Engl. J. Med., 313:372-377 (1986)].

[0103] 6. HTLV Serology

[0104] Initially, serum was screened for antibodies to HTLV-I/II by an enzyme immunoassay (“EIA”) (Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, Ill.). The EIA used purified, sonicated and detergent disrupted HTLV-I virions from HUT 102-B2 cell line (Advanced Biotechnologies, Inc., Bethesda, Md.) as the antigen source.

[0105] EIA reactive samples were then evaluated by Western blot. Western blot strips were prepared using the HTLV-I antigen described above. Viral proteins were separated electrophoretically on 12% polyacrylamide gels followed by transfer to nitrocellulose. Test sera were exposed to the strips overnight followed by incubation of strips with biotin labeled goat-anti-human IgG and peroxidase labeled streptavidin (Kirkegaard & Perry, Gaithersburg, Md.). Color development was visualized by incubation of the strips with a substrate solution of 4-chloro-1-napthol and hydrogen peroxide. Samples were considered confirmed if antibodies were present to HTLV gene products core p24 and envelope gp46.

[0106] Samples exhibiting no reactivity to virus specific bands were considered non-confirmed and required no further testing. Samples exhibiting reactivity with only one band were classified as indeterminate and were further tested by a radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA): 35S-methionine and 35S-cysteine (Amersham Life Sciences, Arlington Heights, Ill.) were used to metabolically label HTLV-I infected HUT 102-B2 cells which were then disrupted by detergent and clarified by centrifugation. Serum samples were incubated with the cell lysate and protein-A sepharose (Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J.) overnight at 4° C. Complexes of protein-A sepharose, antigen and antibody were washed with a series of high and low salt buffers, disrupted by boiling and loaded onto 12% polyacrylamide gels. Following electrophoresis, gels were fixed, incubated with fluorophor, dried and autoradiographed. Samples were considered confirmed if antibodies to HTLV core p24 and envelope gp61 were present by either RIPA alone or a combination of Western blot and RIPA.

[0107] Serum samples from study subjects were also tested for antibodies to HTLV-I or -II using a series of synthetic peptide-coated polystyrene beads in a solid phase EIA. Each peptide represented 20 to 30 amino acids from HTLV-I or -II envelope regions, respectively. The assay conditions were the same as for the HTLV screening EIA.

[0108] A semi-automated dot blot confirmatory immunoassay (Matrix) was also used for confirmation. The antigens in the test array included highly purified HTLV-I viral p19, recombinant p24, recombinant p21e and synthetic peptides specific for HTLV-I or -II envelope bound to nitrocellulose in a small cassette. Serum or plasma diluted 100-fold was incubated in the cassette for 30minutes, followed by thirty minute incubations with biotin labeled anti-human IgG (Kirkegaard & Perry, Gaithersburg, Md.), alkaline phosphatase labeled anti-biotin (Kirkegaard & Perry, Gaithersburg, Md.), and BCIP/NBT substrate (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.). After each step, unbound reagent was removed by a 20 minute automated wash step. Following the final step, reflectance or intensity of reactions was determined by an optical reader. Samples were considered confirmed if positive signals developed to both gag p24 and env p21e.

[0109] 7. Screening PCR

[0110] To discriminate HTLV-I and II, DNA from available PBL's was prepared by phenol/chloroform extraction and evaluated by PCR to detect viral specific HTLV tax/rex, gag p19, or env p21e sequences. 35P labeled PCR amplified products were digested with restriction enzymes, separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and visualized by autoradiography as previously described. [Lee et al., Science, 244:471-475 (1989); Lee et al., Lancet, 337:1435-1439 (1991)].

[0111] 8. Characterization of HTLV-II in United States and Italian Isolates

[0112] Plasmas from 8 US donors, 10 US IVDU, and 16 Italian IVDU were evaluated for presence of antibodies to HTLV-I/II by Western blot, RIPA, Matrix and synthetic peptides. All US subjects were HTLV seropositive and confirmed by Western blot/RIPA and Matrix. Of the 16 Italian IVDU, 14 (87.5%) individuals were seropositive and confirmed, while 2 (12.5%) were indeterminate due to absence of env gp61antibodies. However, all 16 Italian IVDU were confirmed by Matrix with antibodies to gag p24 and env p21e. The US donors, {fraction (9/10)} (90%) US IVDU and {fraction (12/16)} (75%) Italian IVDU had antibodies to HTLV-II gp46 synthetic peptide.

[0113] PCR evaluation of DNA extracted from culture lymphocytes confirmed that all US donors and US IVDU specimens used in this study were HTLV-II infected. Of the seropositive Italian IVDU, HTLV-II provirus was detected by PCR in {fraction (8/16)} lymphocyte cultures.

[0114] 9. Enzyme Restriction Mapping of PCR Amplified Products

[0115] DNA from culture PBL's or from cell lines Mo and NRA was prepared by phenol/chloroform extraction. Sequence variation in the HTLV-II envelope region was evaluated using two pairs of oligonucleotide primers specific for HTLV-II gp46. The positions of primers corresponded to nucleotide numbers in an entire proviral genome of HTLV-IIMo. The first pair, identified as 82/88, defined a 539 base sequence from nucleotide 5323 to 5861. The second pair, 85/86, defined a 434 base sequence from nucleotide 5618 to 6051. Nucleotide positions of the primers were as follows: #82 (5323-5342), #88 (complementary to 5842-5861), #85 (5681-5637), and #86 (complementary to 6032-6051). In total, {fraction (729/924)} nucleotides (78.9%) of the gp46 gene were amplified. The upstream oligonucleotide primer was labeled at the 5′ end with [—32p] ATP in all experiments. Conditions for amplification were as previously reported [Lee et al., Science, 244:471-475 (1989)].

[0116] To evaluate sequence variation between HTLV-II isolates, aliquots of PCR amplified product were subjected to restriction enzyme digestion followed by 8% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography.

[0117] 10. DNA Sequencing of United States and Italian Isolates

[0118] DNA sequencing of HTLV-II gp46 amplified sequences was performed by the Sanger dideoxy-mediated chain termination method [Sanger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 74:5463-5467 (1977)] using Sequenase Version 2.0 (United States Biochemical, Cleveland, Ohio) with minor modifications. To sequence the region of relevant restriction sites, a third primer pair was used. Pair 81/85A defined a region from nucleotides 5291-5610. The position for primer #81 was 5279-5298 and #85A was complementary to nucleotides 5618-5637. DNA from HTLV-II isolates was PCR amplified for 40 cycles using one primer of the pair (described above) labeled at the 5′ end with [—32P]-ATP. PCR product was separated by 8% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiographed to identify the position of the relevant amplified product. The radiolabeled DNA was eluted from the gel with 0.5M ammonium acetate, 1 mm EDTA Ph 8.0 by overnight incubation at 37° C. on a rocking platform. DNA was recovered by ethanol precipitation in the presence of 0.3M sodium acetate and dried overnight under vacuum conditions. Samples were reconstituted with distilled water and denatured to single strand DNA by treatment with 0.4M NaOH, 0.4 mm EDTA for 30 minutes at 37° C. DNA was again collected by ethanol precipitation and vacuum dried. After reconstitution of the samples, dideoxy-sequencing was performed using 5′ end labeled [—32P]-ATP primer that was unlabeled during the initial amplification step. By alternating the labeled primer, DNA could be sequenced from both stands for overlapping reads. Samples were resolved on 40 cm long 6% acrylamide/urea sequencing gels at 1500 volts for 1.5 hours.

[0119] B. Comparison of Genetic Variation

[0120] PCR primers were chosen for regions of sequence homology between the two prototypes. To map potential variation among HTLV-II isolates, proviral DNA extracted from HTLV-IIMo and HTLV-IINRA control cell lines and from cultured cells of 8 US donors, 10 US IVDU and 7 Italian IVDU was amplified by PCR for two overlapping gp46 regions followed by restriction enzyme digestion of amplified sequences. With primer pair 82/88, the 539 nt PCR amplified product of HTLV-IIMo prototype displayed the following size enzyme digestion products: Taq I (295nt), Hph I (259nt), Apa I (224nt), Fnu 4HI (193nt), Bbv I (179nt), Rsa I (140 nt), and Hae III (132nt). A second pattern was observed with the HTLV-IINRA prototype. The 539 nt PCR amplified product was not affected by Rsa I, an enzyme that cleaves between 5′-GT AC-3′ sequences at base 5462, defined by numbered positions in a complete HTLV-IIMo proviral genome. a third digestion pattern was observed for proviral DNA of Italian IVDU. Cleavage of the 539 nt PCR amplified product by Rsa I resulted in a digestion product of 91 nt, or approximately 50 nt smaller than the expected sequence.

[0121] Enzyme restriction mapping for a second HTLV-II gp46 PCR amplified region of 434 nt defined by primers 85/86 showed a different pattern. For HTLV-IIMo isolate, digestion products had the following sizes: Rsa I (266nt), Alu I (195nt), Hinf I (127nt) and Mbo I (60 nt). HTLV-IINRA and Italian IVDU proviral DNA were not susceptible to cleavage by Rsa I at base position 5883.

[0122] Both Mo and NRA-like isolates were found among US donors and IVDU. ⅝ US donors and {fraction (6/10)} US IVDU resembled the HTLV-IIMo prototype. ⅜ US donors and {fraction (2/10)} US IVDU were similar to the HTLV-IINRA prototype. No amplification of gp46 was seen with two of the US IVDU. Of 7 Italian IVDU tested, all looked like NRA type isolates by enzyme mapping of the 434 nt product generated by primers 85/86. All seven Italian IVDU differed from both Mo and NRA prototypes by showing the third distinct digestion pattern when the 539 nt amplified product from primers 82/88 was enzyme digested. Digestion with RsaI yielded a 91 nucleotide product in all cases.

[0123] Sequencing of PCR generated DNA fragments was then performed to assess nucleotide and amino acid variation among isolates. Sequence data for 320 bases from positions 5291 through 5610, a region including the Rsa I restriction site at position 5462, was determined for 2 US donors, 3 US IVDU and 4 Italian IVDU. In this region of the genome, the two control cell lines that were sequenced, HTLV-IINRA and HTLV-IIMo (729pH6neo), differed by {fraction (13/320)} bases (4.1%).

[0124] HTLV-II isolates from two US IVDU and one US donor showed no identity at the 13 variant positions when compared to HTLV-IINRA. No base substitutions were seen for these three isolates when compared to sequenced Mo control cell line 729pH6neo proviral DNA. Six other HTLV-II isolates, including one US donor, one US IVDU and 4 Italian IVDU, differed by {fraction (2/320)} (0.6%) bases when compared to sequenced proviral DNA from the NRA cell line control. Identity with HTLV-IINRA at variant nucleotide positions was either 12/13 or 11/13. Base substitution occurred at nucleotide positions 5371 and 5446 for one US donor, 5446 and 5575 for one US IVDU, and at 5413 and 5446 for 4 Italian IVDU isolates. Only the HTLV-IINRA isolate had a base change at variant position 5446. For the Italian IVDU, substitution of a G at position 5413 introduced a new Rsa I enzyme digestion site, a finding consistent with the digestion pattern observed by restriction mapping. In contrast, Italian IVDU differed from HTLV-IIMo by {fraction (13/320)} (4.1%) nucleotides. Accordingly, the Italian IVDU isolates were closer in sequence to the prototypic HTLV-IINRA isolate than to HTLV-IIMo.

Claims

1. An isolated HTLV-II virus, the genome of said virus comprising the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1.

2. A purified HTLV-II NRA viral lysate.

3. The lysate of claim 2 comprising virus from cells deposited as ATCC No. CRL 11580.

4. A tissue culture grown cell infected with HTLV-II NRA.

5. A HTLV-II virus gag gene expression product.

6. The expression product of claim 5 comprising gag protein, p19.

7. The expression product of claim 5 comprising gag protein, p24.

8. The expression product of claim 5 comprising gag protein, p15.

9. A HTLV-II virus pol gene expression product.

10. A HTLV-II virus env gene expression product.

11. The expression product of claim 10 comprising env protein, p21e. product.

12. A HTLV-II virus tax gene expression product.

13. A HTLV-II virus rex gene expression product.

14. A fusion protein comprising a HTLV-II virus gene expression product, said expression product coded by one of a env, gag, pol, tax or rex gene.

15. A method for detecting anti-HTLV-II antibody in a test sample, comprising the following steps:

a) providing

(i) a test sample suspected of containing anti-HTLV-II antibody,

(ii) HTLV-II antigen, said antigen comprising a composition selected from the group consisting of HTLV-II NRA viral lysates, HTLV-II NRA peptides, HTLV-II NRA proteins, and combinations thereof, and

(iii) an indicator reagent comprising a detectable label and a binding member specific for said antigen or antibody;

b) forming a reaction mixture by contacting the test sample with said antigen and indicator reagent;

c) incubating the reaction mixture under conditions sufficient to form antigen/antibody/indicator reagent complexes; and

d) detecting the labeled complexes as an indication of the presence of anti-HTLV-II antibody in said test sample.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said HTLV-II antigen is attached to a solid phase.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said solid phase is selected from the group consisting of beads, microparticles and microtiter plate wells.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein said detectable label is selected from the group consisting of enzymes, radioisotopes, chemiluminescent and fluorescent labels.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein said indicator reagent binding member comprises anti-human IgG antibody.

20. A method for detecting anti-HTLV-II antibody in a test sample, comprising the following steps:

a) providing

(i) a test sample suspected of containing anti-HTLV-II antibody,

(ii) HTLV-II antigen, said antigen comprising a composition selected from the group consisting of HTLV-II NRA viral lysates, HTLV-II NRA peptides, HTLV-II NRA proteins, and combinations thereof,

(iii) an indicator reagent comprising a detectable label and a binding member specific for said antigen or antibody;

b) forming a reaction mixture by contacting the test sample with said antigen;

c) incubating the reaction mixture under conditions sufficient to form antigen/antibody complexes;

d) after incubating, determining the presence or amount of anti-HTLV-II antibody by

(i) contacting the reaction mixture with the indicator reagent;

(ii) incubating the reaction mixture and the indicator reagent under conditions sufficient to form antigen/antibody/indicator reagent complexes; and

(iii) detecting the labeled complexes or the unreacted indicator reagent as an indication of the presence of anti-HTLV-II antibody in said test sample.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said HTLV-II antigen is attached to a solid phase.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein said solid phase is selected from the group consisting of beads, microparticles and microtiter wells.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein said detectable label is selected from the group consisting of enzymes, radioisotopes, chemiluminescent and fluorescent labels.

24. A method for detecting antibody to HTLV-I and/or HTLV-II in a test sample, comprising:

(a) providing a test sample suspected of containing HTLV-I antibody and/or HTLV-II antibody;

(b) contacting said test sample with HTLV-I antigen and HTLV-II antigen for a time and under conditions sufficient to form antigen/antibody complexes, said HTLV-I antigen comprising a composition selected from the group consisting of HTLV-I viral lysates, HTLV-I peptides, HTLV-I proteins, and combinations thereof, and said HTLV-II antigen comprising a composition selected from the group consisting of HTLV-II NRA viral lysates, HTLV-II NRA peptides, HTLV-II NRA proteins and combinations thereof;

(c) contacting said complexes with indicator reagent comprising a detectable label and a binding member specific for said antigens or said antibodies under conditions sufficient to form antigen/antibody/indicator reagent complexes; and

(d) detecting the labeled complexes as an indication of anti-HTLV-I antibody, anti-HTLV-II antibody, or both, in said test sample.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein said HTLV-I antigen and HTLV-II antigen are attached to a solid phase.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein said HTLV-I antigen and HTLV-II antigen are attached to a single solid phase.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein said detectable label is selected from the group consisting of enzymes, radioisotopes, chemiluminescent and fluorescent labels.

28. The method of claim 24 wherein said indicator reagent binding member comprises an anti-human IgG antibody.

29. The method of claim 24 wherein steps (b) and (c) are performed simultaneously.

30. The method of claim 25 wherein said HTLV-I antigen and HTLV-II antigen are attached to separate solid phases.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein said indicator reagent binding member comprises HTLV-I antigen and HTLV-II antigen.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein said indicator reagent detectable label comprises biotin.

33. An article of manufacture, comprising:

a container;

a label on said container; and

a composition contained within said container; wherein the composition is effective for detecting anti-HTLV-II antibody, the label on said container indicates that the composition can be used for detecting anti-HTLV-II antibody, and the effective agent in said composition comprises HTLV-II antigen selected from the group consisting of HTLV-II NRA viral lysates, HTLV-II NRA peptides, HTLV-II NRA proteins and combinations thereof.

34. The article of manufacture of claim 33 wherein said label on said container further indicates directions for in vitro use of said composition.

35. A kit, comprising:

a first container, a label on said container, and a composition contained within said container; wherein the composition is effective for detecting anti-HTLV-II antibody, the label on said container indicates that the composition can be used for detecting anti-HTLV-II antibody, and the effective agent in said composition comprises HTLV-II antigen selected from the group consisting of HTLV-II NRA viral lysates, HTLV-II NRA peptides, HTLV-II NRA proteins and combinations thereof; and

a second container comprising isotonic diluent.

36. The kit of claim 35 wherein said HTLV-II antigen is attached to a solid phase.

37. The kit of claim 35 further comprising HTLV-I antigen.

38. A reagent comprising nonfat dry milk, serum, and buffer, said reagent effective in reducing nonspecific binding.