title: Development and Characterization of Broadly Cross-reactive Monoclonal Antibodies Against All Known Ebolavirus Species.
abstract: As of 25 March 2015, the largest recorded outbreak of Ebola virus infection is ongoing, with almost 25 000 cases and >10 000 deaths. There are 5 genetically and antigenically distinct species within the genus Ebolavirus. Limited cross-reactivity and protection is observed between these 5 Ebolavirus species, which complicates vaccine development. However, on the basis of sequence homology between the 5 Ebolavirus species, we hypothesize that conserved epitopes are present on the viral glycoprotein (GP), which can be targeted by antibodies. In the current study, a panel of mouse monoclonal antibodies was isolated and characterized using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine cross-reactivity, avidity, and competition for epitope binding; Western blot analysis was also performed. Four monoclonal antibodies were identified by ELISA as cross-reacting with the GPs of all 5 Ebolavirus species. The identification of cross-reactive antibodies that bind the GPs of all known Ebolavirus species will give us important insight into the presence of conserved epitopes on the viral GP. These data will be crucial for the development of novel therapeutics and diagnostic assays.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston.
authors.forename: Humberto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hernandez
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, Montana.
authors.forename: Caleb
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marceau
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston.
authors.forename: Hailey
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Halliday
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, Montana.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Callison
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston.
authors.forename: Viktoriya
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Borisevich
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Escaffre
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston.
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Creech
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, Montana.
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Feldmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, Montana Department of Rare and Emerging Viral Infections and Response, Center for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rockx
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology*; D029043:Ebolavirus / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D019142:Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D006825:Hybridomas / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D051379:Mice; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D000939:Epitopes; D006023:Glycoproteins; D014764:Viral Proteins
keywords: Ebolavirus; antibody; cross-reactive