Preparation and verification of a monoclonal antibody against a conserved linear epitope in enterovirus A protein 2C

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Enterovirus A (EV-A) species are primary causative agents of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), a significant public health issue.
• Studying EV-A infections mechanistically is hindered by a lack of suitable reagents.
• The 2C protein of Enterovirus is vital for viral replication and modulating antiviral immunity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To generate and characterize a monoclonal antibody against the 2C protein of Coxsackievirus A10 (CVA10-2C).
• To assess the antibody's reactivity against diverse EV-A types.
• To identify the conserved epitope recognized by the antibody for potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Main Methods:

• Immunization of mice with purified Coxsackievirus A10 protein 2C (CVA10-2C).
• Production and characterization of a monoclonal antibody.
• Epitope mapping to identify the specific amino acid sequence recognized by the antibody.

Main Results:

• A recombinant monoclonal antibody was successfully generated against CVA10-2C.
• The antibody demonstrated broad reactivity, identifying most EV-A types, including conventional and unconventional groups.
• The conserved epitope SLATGIIARA, located in the ATPase domain and containing key residues G140, I141, I142, and R144, was identified.

Conclusions:

• A broadly reactive monoclonal antibody against multiple EV-A types has been developed.
• This antibody's performance has been confirmed, offering a valuable tool for Enterovirus A research.
• Potential applications include pathogen diagnosis and the development of novel antiviral therapies.