Neutralizing determinants of canine herpesvirus as defined by monoclonal antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) against canine herpesvirus (CHV) were produced to identify the immunogenic proteins of the virus carrying neutralizing determinants. A panel of 24 MoAbs showing neutralizing activities was obtained and tentatively classified into 3 different groups based on their reactivity patterns in immunoblotting analysis. Group I consisting of 10 clones was specific for 145/112 kDa; Group II of 9 clones, for 80 kDa; and Group III of 5 clones, for 41 kDa glycoproteins (gps). Complement-requirement for neutralizing activities of the MoAbs suggests that gp 145/112 and gp 80 elicit mainly complement-requiring and -enhanced neutralizing antibodies, while gp 41 elicits complement-independent ones. In addition, these MoAbs were used in ELISA additivity tests for functional and topographical mapping of epitopes in each of the CHV gp. The results indicated that antigenic reactivities of gp 145/112 and gp 80 were, respectively, localized on at least 5 and 7 overlapping epitopes. On the other hand, 4 epitopes were identified on gp 41.