Characterization of monoclonal antibodies to adenovirus type 35 hexon

Twenty three monoclonal antibody-rich ascitic fluids (MIAFs) to human adenovirus (AV) type 35 hexon were studied by indirect ELISA using various tracer systems, passive haemagglutination (HA) as well as gel diffusion techniques. Eleven different human heterologous hexon types in addition to the homologous one, and two animal adenovirus (AV) hexons were used to determine the reactivity patterns (RPs) of the monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs). Based on the cross-reactivity with the different hexon types, the MoAbs exhibited genus, subgenus and type specificities; furthermore, a variety of intersubgenus and intertype specificities could be found. Fifteen of the MoAbs reacted in ELISA, but not in passive HA, suggesting that certain epitopes on the hexons bound to red blood cells were not available for the MoAbs in question. Four MoAbs were able to form a precipitin line with the hexon antigen in gel diffusion. Two of the four (MoAbs 35H10 and 35H51) formed with the homologous AV35 hexon a single confluent precipitin line only. In spite of the origin of these MoAbs from different hybrid cells (clones) their specificity was probably identical when recognizing the type-specific epitope of the AV35 hexon. The other two MoAbs (35H15 and 35H26) with a broad RPs were able to precipitate not only the homologous but also different heterologous hexon types.