Apparent expression of varicella-zoster virus proteins in latency resulting from reactivity of murine and rabbit antibodies with human blood group a determinants in sensory neurons.
Analyses of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) protein expression during latency have been discordant, with rare to many positive neurons detected. We show that ascites-derived murine and rabbit antibodies specific for VZV proteins in vitro contain endogenous antibodies that react with human blood type A antigens in neurons. Apparent VZV neuronal staining and blood type A were strongly associated (by a χ² test, α = 0.0003). Adsorption of ascites-derived monoclonal antibodies or antiserum with type A erythrocytes or the use of in vitro-derived VZV monoclonal antibodies eliminated apparent VZV staining. Animal-derived antibodies must be screened for anti-blood type A reactivity to avoid misidentification of viral proteins in the neurons of the 30 to 40% of individuals who are blood type A.
Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. zerboni@stanford.edu
Leigh
L
Zerboni
Raymond A
RA
Sobel
Michelle
M
Lai
Richard
R
Triglia
Megan
M
Steain
Allison
A
Abendroth
Ann
A
Arvin
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D011817:Rabbits; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D017735:Virus Latency
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D000906:Antibodies; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins