title: Development of a lion-specific interferon-gamma assay.
abstract: The ongoing spread of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) in African free-ranging lion populations, for example in the Kruger National Park, raises the need for diagnostic assays for BTB in lions. These, in addition, would be highly relevant for zoological gardens worldwide that want to determine the BTB status of their lions, e.g. for translocations. The present study concerns the development of a lion-specific IFN-γ assay, following the production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific for lion interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). Recombinant lion IFN-γ (rLIFN-γ) was produced in mammalian cells and used to immunize mice to establish hybridoma cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies. These were used to develop a sensitive, lion IFN-γ-specific capture ELISA, able to detect rLIFN-γ to the level of 160 pg/ml. Recognition of native lion IFN-γ was shown in an initial assessment of supernatants of mitogen stimulated whole blood cultures of 11 known BTB-negative lions. In conclusion, the capture ELISA shows potential as a diagnostic assay for bovine tuberculosis in lions. Preliminary results also indicate the possible use of the test for other (feline) species.
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology, Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 7, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maas
authors.forename: P J S
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: van Kooten
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schreuder
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Morar
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tijhaar
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Michel
authors.forename: V P M G
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Rutten
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D002417:Cattle; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D008045:Lions / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma