• 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 48  (4) , 799-808
Abstract
The physical environments for optimal display of individual antigenic determinant sites on influenza A/FM/1/47 virus, with preference of its hemagglutinin, were established with mouse monoclonal antibodies based on an enzyme-linked binding assay (ELISA). Comparisons were made with requirements of serum-derived antibodies to form immune complexes. Two-coating buffers revealed profound differences in their inherent capacities to provide antigenic reactivity, this activity became further altered when, after adsorption, the antigens were briefly exposed to either methanol or formaldehyde. Ionic strength started to become restrictive on formation of immune complexes above 0.2 M NaCl. The binding of the monoclonal antibodies to the hemagglutinin was charge-dependent. The form of its presentation, located on the viral surface or as an isolated component, further modified the pH-requirements for its optimal display in antigenic reactivity. The binding of serum-derived antibodies differed markedly and showed a dependence neither on the charge nor on the structural form of the hemagglutinin. Pretreatment of the hemagglutinin on the viral surface with small concentrations (0.025-0.05%) of Triton X-100, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) strongly changes the accessibility of its determinant sites, while deoxycholate (DOC) and octyl-.beta.-D-glucoside (OG) were not effective at the same concentrations. None of these detergents, however, altered the binding properties of the isolated component. Instead, some of them even improved its capacity to form immune complexes.