Epstein‐Barr virus strain‐ and group‐specific antigenic determinants detected by monoclonal antibodies

AbstractIn order to differentiate Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) strains by serological markers we prepared hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies against polypeptides of the QIMR‐WIL EBV strain. These monoclonal antibodies were screened by indirect immunofluorescence techniques. Immunoprecipitation, using EBV‐positive monoclonal antibodies and the protein A method, of 125I‐labelled polypeptides from purified QIMR‐WIL EBV particles, revealed that a series of monoclonal antibodies against the four main surface and envelope polypeptides precipitating p340, p340/p240, p140, and p80 were obtained. When 125I‐labelled polypeptides from purified P3HR‐I and B95‐8 EBV particles were immunoprecipitated, it could be demonstrated that several anti‐p340 (QIMR‐WIL) antibodies recognized strainspecific antigenic determinants, while anti‐p340/p240 (QIMR‐WIL) as well as anti‐p140 (QIMR‐WIL) antibody clones reacted with antigenic sites which are in common wither among B95‐8 or in addition to P3HR‐I polypeptides. Thus, monoclonal antibodies now provide a serological basis for EBV typing.