Characterization of a monoclonal antibody recognizing a DAG-containing epitope conserved in aphid transmissible potyviruses: evidence that the DAG motif is in a defined conformation.

Two viral proteins, the helper component-protease and the coat protein, are required for the non-persistent aphid transmission of potyviruses. In the potyvirus coat protein, the tripeptide aspartate-alanine-glycine (DAG) has often been shown to be involved. A monoclonal antibody, raised against a synthetic decapeptide containing the DAG tripeptide, reacted with the peptide as well as with isolates of soybean mosaic, tobacco etch and tobacco vein mottling potyviruses. Experiments indicate that the monoclonal antibody recognizes a conformational rather than a sequential epitope. The data support the suggestion that the DAG region plays a structural role to determine a coat protein-helper component-protease conformation that influences aphid transmission.

Antigenic signature analysis reflects differences among plant virus isolates.

Antigenic differences among cowpea severe mosaic virus (CPSMV) isolates were clearly reflected in signature analysis employing a panel of seven well-characterized, monoclonal antibodies. Separate binding curves were generated by reacting serial dilutions of extracts from infected plant tissue containing each antigen simultaneously with each antibody in the panel. An iterative procedure was used to align unknown CPSMV antigen concentrations from different antigen preparations to allow comparison of binding profiles from different assays. Signature analysis was shown to be highly useful for the elucidation of subtle antigenic differences among viral agents because it requires neither purified virus nor knowledge of virus concentration in sap from infected plants.

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to porcine immunoglobulin gamma, alpha, and light chains.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAB) to porcine immunoglobulins were produced by fusion of SP2/0 cells with splenic lymphocytes of mice that had been immunized with porcine IgG or IgA. Of 16 MAB selected for detailed study, 13 reacted with heavy chains (7 anti-gamma, 6 anti-alpha) and 3 reacted with light chains of native immunoglobulin. Several of the same MAB (3 anti-gamma chain, 1 anti-alpha chain, 3 anti-light chain) also reacted with denatured immunoglobulin by use of immunoblotting analysis. Collective results of competitive ELISA, immunodiffusion, and immunoblotting analysis indicated that the 7 MAB of anti-gamma chain specificity were directed to 3 epitopes, the 6 MAB of anti-alpha chain specificity were directed to at least 2 epitopes, and the 3 MAB of anti-light chain specificity were directed to at least 2 epitopes that may have been located of different types of light chains. When tested by immunodiffusion with 5% polyethylene glycol incorporated in the agar matrix, all anti-gamma chain and antilight chain MAB, but no anti-alpha chain MAB, had precipitating activity. When polyethylene glycol was not used, only 4 MAB (all of the anti-gamma chain specificity and of IgM isotype) had precipitating activity. These MAB, with specificity for gamma and alpha chains and those reported earlier with mu-chain specificity, should be invaluable in the detection and quantification of porcine immunoglobulin isotypes. These MAB have potential applications in delineating the porcine immune response to selected immunogens.

Production and partial characterization of monoclonal antibodies to four Chlamydia psittaci isolates.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were produced to four Chlamydia psittaci isolates: NJ1 and TT3 from turkeys, VS1 from a parakeet, and B577 from an ovine abortion. MAbs were tested for reactivity with each isolate by the indirect immunofluorescent antibody technique and for neutralization by an inclusion reduction neutralization technique in tissue culture. Two genus-specific and 14 serovar-specific MAbs were produced. Genus-specific MAbs reacted with all avian and mammalian isolates; however, each failed to neutralize its homologous chlamydial isolate. Turkey isolates NJ1 and TT3 were antigenically similar; serovar-specific MAbs produced to each reacted equally with both isolates yet showed little or no reaction with other serovars. Serovar-specific MAbs to the parakeet and abortion isolates were distinct; no cross-reactions were seen with other serovars. None of the serovar-specific MAbs reacted with an ovine arthritis isolate. Of the 14 serovar-specific MAbs, 13 partially neutralized homologous strains with or without the addition of complement. Because of the high specificity, the serovar-specific MAbs used with the immunofluorescence technique provided a rapid and precise method to identify three serovars of C. psittaci.

Identification of species-specific and interspecies-specific polypeptides of Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae.

Temporal antisera (TA) prepared in susceptible Leg-horn-type chickens against Mycoplasma gallisepticum and M synoviae were evaluated to determine the extent of cross-reactivity in ELISA and hemagglutination inhibition tests. Species-specific and interspecies-specific polypeptides were identified after electrophoretic separation and protein immunoblotting with reference antisera, TA, and a monoclonal antibody specific for M gallisepticum. Mycoplasma gallisepticum antiserum cross-reacted with M synoviae polypeptides in ELISA and TA immunoblots. Two major M synoviae polypeptides (88 and 53 kilodaltons [kD]) cross-reacted with M gallisepticum antisera in TA immunoblots. An M gallisepticum polypeptide of 70 kD cross-reacted with M synoviae in TA immunoblots. In contrast, M gallisepticum and M synoviae reference antisera cross-reacted when immunoblotted with heterologous antigens. A monoclonal antibody specific for M gallisepticum bound to a 69-kD polypeptide in lectin-purified and whole-cell M gallisepticum protein fractions in immunoblot assays. The lectin-purified fraction hemagglutinated chicken RBC. Seemingly, the 69-kD polypeptide may constitute all or part of the M gallisepticum hemagglutinin.

Radioimmunoassay of adjuvant-associated porcine parvovirus using a monoclonal antibody in a nitrocellulose membrane system.

A quantitative and simple indirect radioimmunoassay (IRIA) was developed for porcine parvovirus (PPV), employing a monoclonal antibody directed against PPV adsorbed to nitrocellulose membrane. The IRIA was equally sensitive to live or inactivated PPV. There was a linear relationship between membrane-bound radioactivity and PPV quantity within a range of 10-80 hemagglutinating (HA) units of virus. Two commercially used adjuvants, aluminum hydroxide (AH) and carboxyvinyl polymer (CP), reduced bound radioactivity in a concentration-dependent manner. At fixed adjuvant concentrations, there were, nevertheless, linear relationships between bound radioactivity and HA units of PPV. Known amounts of PPV were prepared in adjuvants according to commercial vaccine formulations. Using these standards, the PPV content of 16 commercial PPV vaccines was estimated by IRIA. The IRIA may be one practical method of in vitro estimation of antigenic mass in adjuvanted vaccines.

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies directed against pseudorabies virus.

Hybridoma cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies to pseudorabies virus (PRV) were established. The monoclonal antibodies were characterized with respect to their antigenic specifications and biological activities. Two monoclonal antibodies immunoprecipitated the 50 kDa PRV glycoprotein (gp50) and two immunoprecipitated the 82 kDa glycoprotein (gp82). The monoclonal antibodies were used to analyze the biological roles of these two glycoproteins. One monoclonal antibody directed against each glycoprotein did not require complement for in vitro viral neutralization while the other monoclonal antibody directed against the glycoprotein required complement for neutralization. The monoclonal antibodies against gp50 were shown to be directed against different epitopes within the glycoprotein. In contrast, the monoclonal antibodies against gp82 were shown to be directed against the same antigenic site on the glycoprotein. In vivo passive immunity studies in mice showed that monoclonal antibodies directed against either gp50 or gp82 could be protective.

Japanese encephalitis virus immunoglobulin M antibodies in porcine sera.

A solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for detection of porcine immunoglobulin (Ig)M antibodies to Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). Antibodies in sera were captured onto the solid phase of Microtiter plates sensitized with mouse monoclonal antibodies to porcine mu heavy chain. Virus antigen binding to the lawn of IgM was quantitated by subsequent binding of peroxidase-labeled human hyperimmune anti-JEV IgG, which in the final step, catalyzed a substrate color change. In sucrose density-gradient fractionated sera from recently infected pigs, the peak of ELISA JEV IgM activity corresponded to the peak of 18-S, 2-mercaptoethanol-sensitive hemagglutination-inhibiting (HAI) antibody activity. Within 2 to 3 days, JEV-infected sentinel pigs developed high JEV IgM activity; this activity decreased within 2 weeks. Among specimens collected from 99 random swine at abattoirs in Thailand during a period of low JEV transmission, none of 25 JEV HAI-negative sera had JEV IgM activity, 7 of 74 JEV HAI-positive sera did have JEV IgM activity, and the remaining 67 sera had readily detectable JEV HAI antibodies, but lacked JEV IgM. The JEV IgM solid-phase ELISA was useful for rapidly diagnosing active or recent JEV infections in swine.

Monoclonal precipitating antibodies to porcine immunoglobulin M.

Fusion of splenic immunocytes from a porcine IgM-immunized BALB/c mouse with SP2/0 mouse myeloma cells resulted in 231 primary hybrids. Culture fluids of the primary hybrids were screened for antibody production by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) against porcine IgM and by radial immunodiffusion versus porcine serum. Culture fluids of 10 of the primary hybrids were positive in IgM-ELISA and radial immunodiffusion. Six of these primary hybrids (1A11, 1D10, 2D7, 2E2, 3B11, and 5C9) were cloned, and ascitic fluids were produced using cloned primary hybrids. The monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) in ascitic fluids were characterized as to their reactivity with porcine immunoglobulin isotypes. All six Mabs had mouse IgG1, K isotype and were mu-chain specific as they formed single precipitin lines against porcine serum and porcine IgM and no lines against porcine IgG, IgA, and fetal porcine serum in immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis. In indirect ELISA, all Mabs reacted with porcine serum, porcine IgM, and mu-chains but did not react with porcine IgG, IgA, or light chains. All six Mabs were species-specific and recognized either of two antigenic regions of mu-chain. These Mabs have been successfully used to detect IgM-containing cells in tissue sections, to detect IgM in serum, and to quantitate surface membrane IgM-bearing cells in peripheral blood.

USDA licensing policy for biologicals produced by R-DNA.

The advent of recombinant DNA technology has prompted a review of current Standard Requirements used in licensing Veterinary Biological Products. Unique problems associated with the production and testing of biologics derived from the new biotechnology are reviewed to insure compliance with the United States Department of Agriculture's requirement for purity, safety, potency and efficacy. Requirements for plasmid/vector characterization and stability will be discussed and correlated with the Master Seed concept. Practical methodology used to monitor antigenic expression, concentration, purification and stability during production and recovery is considered. Bulk and/or final container testing will meet established criteria for biologicals produced by conventional procedures. Experience in preparation and regulation of recombinant-derived biologicals may require revision of current Standard Requirements or special additional requirements. This flexible approach will facilitate licensing of these new products.

Micro neuraminidase-inhibition assay for classification of influenza A virus neuraminidases.

A neuraminidase-inhibition (NI) assay performed in microtiter plates is described. This micro-NI assay is a modification of the NI assay recommended by the World Health Organization. It reduces the quantity of reagents required and permits antigenic classification of many isolates simultaneously. To determine the accuracy and sensitivity of this micro-NI assay, 110 influenza A viruses, representing all subtypes, based upon the nine known neuraminidases (NAs), were classified by both the micro-NI and macro-NI assays in two separate laboratories. The NAs were identified accurately by the micro-NI assay. Virus mixtures were detected by both assays, although the macro-NI was clearly more sensitive. The micro-NI assay was also suitable for testing sera for the presence of antibodies to the NAs. Although the micro-NI assay did not provide the quantitation of the macro-NI assay, it did prove to be a rapid method for virus classification and antibody studies on influenza A viruses.

Haemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies against swine influenza and Hong Kong influenza viruses in swine sera in the USA.

Previous reports have established that swine in the midwestern states of the USA have a high incidence of classical swine influenza and that swine become infected with Hong Kong-like influenza viruses when these are prevalent in the human population. This investigation was undertaken to estimate, on the basis of 2245 sera collected randomly from swine going to slaughter in the USA during the summer months of 1974, how many of the animals had haemagglutination-inhibiting (HI) antibodies against swine influenza and Hong Kong influenza viruses. Based on HI titres of 20 or greater, our serological survey revealed that swine influenza virus infection was widespread throughout the USA, since 20.45% of the sera tested had positive HI titres. However, serological evidence of infection of swine with Hong Kong-like viruses was present in only 2.63% of the sera tested.