title: Monoclonal antibodies specific for the capsid protein of chikungunya virus suitable for multiple applications.
abstract: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne pathogen responsible for epidemics of debilitating arthritic disease. The recent outbreak (2004-2014) resulted in an estimated 1.4-6.5 million cases, with imported cases reported in nearly 40 countries. The development of CHIKV-specific diagnostics and research tools is thus highly desirable. Herein we describe the generation and characterization of the first mAbs specific for the capsid protein (CP) of CHIKV. The antibodies recognized isolates representing the major genotypes of CHIKV, as well as several other alphaviruses, and were reactive in a range of assays including ELISA, Western blot, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry (IHC). We have also used the anti-CP mAb 5.5G9 in IHC studies to show that capsid antigen is persistently expressed 30 days post-infection in cells with macrophage morphology in a mouse model of chronic CHIKV disease. These antibodies may thus represent useful tools for further research, including investigations into the structure and function of CHIKV CP, and as valuable reagents for CHIKV detection in a range of settings.
authors.affiliation: Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Lucas Y H
authors.initials: LYH
authors.lastname: Goh
authors.affiliation: Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Jody
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hobson-Peters
authors.affiliation: Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Natalie A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Prow
authors.affiliation: Inflammation Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland 4029, Australia.
authors.forename: Joy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland 4343, Australia.|Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Helle
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bielefeldt-Ohmann
authors.affiliation: Inflammation Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland 4029, Australia.|Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Suhrbier
authors.affiliation: Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Roy A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Hall
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D015153:Blotting, Western; D019556:COS Cells; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D065632:Chikungunya Fever / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D002646:Chikungunya virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D036022:Capsid Proteins