Generation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific for vaccinia virus

Monoclonal antibodies to specific vaccinia virus (VACV) proteins are valuable reagents in studies of VACV. In this chapter, we describe methods of generating a panel of monoclonal antibodies that recognize a variety of VACV proteins in their native conformation in infected cells. The antibodies thus generated recognize mostly VACV proteins that are involved in virion assembly or/and are major antigens in smallpox vaccine. These antibodies are useful for tracking distinct steps in virion assembly and for studying the B cell epitopes in smallpox vaccine.