Preparation and identification of a novel monoclonal antibody against African swine fever virus p15 protein

Abstract Background African swine fever (ASF) is a highly lethal infectious disease caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV). Due to the lack of effective vaccines and antiviral drugs was available, slaughter of infected and exposed pigs was the currently prevention and control measures. Therefore, early diagnosis is crucial for the prevention and control of ASFV, and the p15 protein is crucial for the maturation of ASFV particles. In this study, four novel anti-ASFV p15 protein monoclonal antibodies were developed, and two conserved epitopes were reported for the first time, which laid the foundation for the rapid diagnosis of ASFV. Results Four monoclonal antibodies (3C, 4B, 5D and 8F) were prepared by hybridoma technology, all of which could specifically recognize exogenously expressed p15 protein. Furthermore, this epitope was originally mapped by six overlapping, truncated p15 proteins. The results showed that the epitopes recognized by 3C, 5D and 8F were located at P49-N65, which were highly conserved among genotypes I, II, VII, IX, X, and XX. In addition, the antigenic epitopes were initially mapped by six overlapping p15 truncated proteins. Results showed epitopes recognized by 3C, 5D and 8F located in P49-N65, which was highly conserved in genotypes I, II, VII, IX, X, and XX. In contrast, 4B identified an epitope located at K105-R132, which is conserved only in genotypes I, II, andXX ASFV. Conclusions These findings contribute to further understanding of the protein function of p15 and provide potential support for the development of diagnostic tools for ASFV.