title: Generation and characterization of a monoclonal antibody specific for human herpesvirus 6 variant A immediate-early 2 protein.
abstract: Two variants (A and B) of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) can be isolated from humans, with each variant having unique biological properties. HHV-6 variant typing is mainly done following amplification of viral genomic DNA followed by restriction endonuclease digestion. Our objective was to generate a monoclonal antibody (mAb) that would allow us to discriminate between variants A and B of HHV-6. BALB/c mice were immunized with a recombinant glutathione-S-transferase protein fused to the immediate-early (IE) 2 protein from HHV-6 variant A. Following splenocytes fusion, one IgG1 kappa light chain mAb (P6H8) was isolated and found to react specifically with variant A IE2 protein in immunofluorescence and western blot assays. The P6H8 antibody represents a useful tool for both fundamental research and clinical applications allowing for the discrimination of infections caused by HHV-6 variants A or B.
authors.affiliation: Virocell Inc, 2525 Laurier Blvd, Tour des Laurentides, Sainte-Foy, Québec, Canada GIV 2L2.
authors.forename: Suzie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arsenault
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gravel
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gosselin
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Flamand
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D002460:Cell Line; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007114:Immunization; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D005982:Glutathione Transferase