Antigenic Characterization of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Strains with Monoclonal Antibodies

Abstract

To study the antigenic characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), we developed and evaluated monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to three strains of RSV: 11 to Long, 4 to 18537, and 9 to A2. Six of these MAbs immunoprecipitated the nucleoprotein, six the large glycoprotein, and 11 the fusion protein. By the pattern of the reactions of these MAbs to 16 strains of RSV in an indirect immunofluorescence assay or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we were able to distinguish three subgroups. With a panel of 10 of these 24 MAbs, we tested 26 strains isolated between 1979 and 1982 in Boston and found that 22 belonged to group 1, 4 to group 2, and none to group 3. The pattern of the reactions of the MAbs against representative strains from the three groups identified nine epitopes by indirect immunofluorescence assay: three of each on the nucleoprotein, the large glycoprotein, and the fusion protein. These results, along with those of previous studies, suggest that groups 1 and 3 are antigenically similar and group 2 is antigenically more distinct.

Potent High-Affinity Antibodies for Treatment and Prophylaxis of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Derived from B Cells of Infected Patients

“…This region was previously known to be conserved across RSV strains (11). We have confirmed and extended this finding by collating data on 37 published RSV G protein sequences.…”

“…The F protein is highly conserved and is required to infect cells. In contrast, the G protein is not required to infect cells and is highly variable; indeed, the two broad subtypes of RSV, A and B, are defined by differences in the G protein (11). Based on these characteristics, the F protein was considered an attractive target for mAb therapy as a successor to polyclonal RSV-neutralizing serum therapy (Respigam).…”

Molecular epidemiology and genetic variability of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in Stockholm, 2002–2003

“…RSV is classified within the family Paramyxoviridae, genus Pneumovirus, and is divided into two antigenic subgroups, A and B [Anderson et al, 1985;Mufson et al, 1985;Tsutsumi et al, 1988]. These subgroups are divided into several different genotypes [Peret et al, 1998[Peret et al, , 2000.…”

Human respiratory syncytial virus detection in children admitted at a community hospital in Botucatu, SP, Brazil

“…Further analysis showed that 66.7% (10/15) of the NPs, reacted with MAb for HRSV subgroup A, 6.7% (1/15) for subgroup B and 26.7% (4/15) for both antibodies. The relative frequency of HRSV subgroups A and B is variable in annual outbreaks analyzed in different parts of the world, and in general subgroup A is slightly predominant (1,8). Apparently there was no connection among epidemics in different communities and this variable circulation pattern of the HRSV subgroups seems to be a local or regional phenomenon (5).…”