Monospecific antibodies to Marek's disease virus antigen B dimer (200 kDa) and monomer (130 and 60 kDa) glycoproteins neutralize virus infectivity and detect the antigen B proteins in infected cell membranes

Arch Virol. 1991;121(1-4):125-39. doi: 10.1007/BF01316749.

Abstract

Monospecific antibodies were prepared by nitrocellulose blot immunoaffinity to 3 polypeptide components of the host-membrane associated B antigen of Marek's disease herpesvirus (MDV) and to its soluble A antigen. The B antigen comprised a 200 kDa dimer which is 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) labile, a monomer of 130 kDa and a 60 kDa protein, both of which are 2-ME resistant. Cross-immunoblotting studies showed that the anti-dimer antibody recognized the dimer protein as well as the 130 and 60 kDa components. In contrast, the anti-130 kDa antibody gave the strongest signal on blots of reducing gels indicating that the monomer is largely formed by in vitro reduction with 2-ME. All four antibodies recognized membrane antigens on chicken embryo fibroblasts infected with MDV vaccine viruses representative of the three serotypes and in addition, neutralized the homologous MDV isolate. The anti-dimer antibody was greatest, the anti-monomer antibody was the weakest and the anti-60 kDa antibody intermediate in neutralizing efficacy to all four viruses. We conclude from these studies that the B antigen presents at least two classes of neutralizing epitopes: one is discontinuous and of broad specificity on the intact dimer molecule and the other, on the 130 and 60 kDa proteins, is continuous and of lower avidity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology*
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Membrane / microbiology
  • Chick Embryo
  • Cross Reactions
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Herpesvirus 2, Gallid / immunology*
  • Herpesvirus 2, Gallid / physiology
  • Immunoblotting
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigens, Viral
  • Marek's disease herpesvirus gp57-65