title: Characterization of three novel monoclonal antibodies against hepatitis C virus core protein.
abstract: Three novel monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were established against a recombinant hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein derived from cloned genotype 1b HCV cDNA. MAbs C7-50 and C8-59 recognize a conserved linear epitope represented by amino acid residues 21 to 40 of the nucleocapsid protein. MAb C8-48 is directed against a strain-specific conformational epitope located within the first 82 amino acids. A sensitive two-site MAb-based immunoradiometric assay was established using antibodies directed against distinct epitopes on the nucleocapsid protein. Processed 21 kDa core protein was detected by immunoblotting in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and primary adult rat hepatocytes transfected with a cytomegalovirus promoter-driven expression construct. Immunofluorescence microscopy studies revealed a granular and vesicular cytoplasmic staining pattern. MAb C7-50 was used successfully to detect HCV core antigen in chronically infected chimpanzee liver tissue. These MAbs represent important reagents for the study of HCV biology and for the development of immunodiagnostic assays.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Hepatology Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Moradpour
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wakita
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tokushige
authors.forename: R I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Carlson
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Krawczynski
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Wands
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D002460:Cell Line; D018604:Epitope Mapping; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D002679:Pan troglodytes; D051381:Rats; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D014758:Viral Core Proteins; C069130:nucleocapsid protein, Hepatitis C virus