Identification of antigenic sites mediating antibody-dependent enhancement of feline infectious peritonitis virus infectivity

J Gen Virol. 1993 Apr:74 ( Pt 4):745-9. doi: 10.1099/0022-1317-74-4-745.

Abstract

We have previously demonstrated antibody-dependent enhancement of feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) infection of macrophages using both virus-specific antisera and monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to the spike (S) protein of FIPV. To increase our understanding of this phenomenon, six representative MAbs from a previously documented group of 12 enhancing MAbs were used to identify epitopes that mediate antibody-dependent enhancement of FIPV infectivity. Analysis of the results of kinetics-based competitive ELISA (K-cELISA) among these six enhancing MAbs grouped the epitopes into two clusters. Because transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) and FIPV are so closely related antigenically, we also conducted K-cELISA experiments between the FIPV MAbs and TGEV S protein-specific MAbs for which the epitopes had previously been mapped to specific sites on the TGEV S protein. Results of these assays indicated that the two FIPV epitope clusters are homologues of the previously defined TGEV S protein sites A and E/F. In addition, two TGEV S protein-specific MAbs also induced antibody-dependent enhancement of FIPV infection of macrophages. This functional cross-reactivity provides further support for the close antigenic relationship between FIPV and TGEV. Our results provide a preliminary localization of several enhancing epitopes within the amino acid sequence of the FIPV S protein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology*
  • Antigen-Antibody Complex / immunology*
  • Antigens, Surface / immunology
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology*
  • Cats
  • Coronavirus, Feline / immunology
  • Coronavirus, Feline / pathogenicity*
  • Epitopes
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / microbiology*
  • Transmissible gastroenteritis virus / immunology
  • Viral Proteins / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigen-Antibody Complex
  • Antigens, Surface
  • Antigens, Viral
  • Epitopes
  • Viral Proteins
  • spike protein S, Transmissible gastroenteritis virus