Strain-specific monoclonal antibodies to the E2 protein of classical swine fever virus, Paderborn strain.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against the E2 protein of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) are useful for diagnosis and strain characterization. A purified, baculovirus-expressed CSFV E2 protein from the Paderborn strain was formulated with a saponin adjuvant and successfully used to induce an antigen-specific immune response in mice. After cell fusion a panel, designated F92G, of 12 mouse hybridomas (5-2, 11-1, 14-1, 25-2, 28-2, 31-1, 34-1, 35-2, 37-3, 38-2, 39-1, 41-1) producing CSFV-E2 specific MAbs were selected based on their Ig subclass and secretion level (μg IgG/mL). Nine IgG 1/k, two IgG 2b/k, and one IgG 2a/k MAbs were further characterized using immunoperoxidase reactivity, ELISA, and Western blot analysis. Immunoglobulin concentration-dependent immunoperoxidase and ELISA reactivity was observed for some of the MAbs with certain antigens. In general there were several reactivity patterns exhibited by the MAbs, with CSFV strains representing different genetic subgroups (by immunoperoxidase staining) and recombinant antigens (by ELISA). It was interesting to note that in some cases the strain-specific reactivity of a MAb was dependent on the test, thereby providing a clue regarding the nature of the binding site.