Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies Against Russian Strain of the West Nile Virus

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Abstract
We have developed a panel of 16 hybridomas secreting neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (Nt- MAbs) to Russian isolate (LEIV-Vlg99-27889-human) of the West Nile virus (WNV). Most of the Nt-Mabs were either IgG1 or IgG3 subtypes. Nine of the 16 neutralizing MAbs detected WNV protein E in Western blot. According to their Nt-activities, Western blot results and cross-reactivity, the MAbs were divided into four groups. Monoclonal antibodies from group I were able to neutralize WNV strains Vlg99-27889, Vlg00-27924, Hp-94, A-1640, A-72, Tur-2914, and Eg101. The Ntactivity of MAbs from groups II–IV towards these WNV strains was variable. Recombinant fragments E1-180, E1-321, and E260-466 of protein E were used for preliminary mapping of domains recognized by Nt-MAbs. Only five Nt-MAbs were able to react with the recombinant polypeptides. The MAbs 9E2, 7G9, 11G3, and 7E6 from group Ia recognized Nt-epitope(s) between amino acids 321 and 466 of protein E and Nt-MAb 4F11 (group III) reacted with residues 1–180. This demonstrates that two discrete regions of protein E are involved in neutralization of WNV. Our data on immunochemical, biological activities of Nt-MAbs and mapping of Nt-epitopes using recombinant polypeptides suggest at least 13 different Nt-epitopes for WNV.