Characterization of a universal neutralizing monoclonal antibody against Glaesserella parasuis CdtB

Glaesserella parasuis is the etiological agent of Glässer's disease. Although present as a symbiotic bacterium in the respiratory tract of healthy pigs, G. parasuis invades piglets under stress conditions and causes severe systemic infection characterized by fibrinous polyserositis, polyarthritis, and meningitis, which caused high mortality in weaned and nursery herds. Further, the lack of cross-protection against the various serotypes of G. parasuis is a serious concern for the swine industry. Cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) is essential for the pathogenicity of G. parasuis and is a conserved virulence factor. CdtB is the active subunit of CDT, causing DNA double-strand breaks in eukaryotic cells, leading to irreversible cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. However, the immunogenicity and immunogenic domain of G. parasuis CdtB have not been investigated. In this study, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against G. parasuis CdtB were screened. One mAb, 4F10, was characterized and found to specifically recognize G. parasuis strains of all serotypes, including non-typeable strains, without showing any reactivity with other swine bacterial pathogens. Additionally, 4F10 exhibited neutralizing activity that restrained the cytotoxicity caused by CdtB. Moreover, the core unit of the epitope ⁸⁴GVGFPIDEYVWNLGTRSRPN¹⁰³ recognized by 4F10 was identified. The mAb-4F10 characterized herein provides a candidate for the further investigation of the pathogenic and immunogenic functions of CdtB in G. parasuis and could facilitate future serological diagnosis, prevention, and control of this disease.