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Examination of the immunological relationship between measles virus and canine distemper virus using monospecific
Abstract:
Indirect immunofluorescence titrations were performed with measles virus, the Rockborn strain of canine distemper virus (CDV), and a large plaque variant of the Onderstepoort strain of CDV (Ond-LP) using monospecific antisera prepared against either the haemagglutinin (anti-HA), the haemolysin (anti-HL), or the ribonucleoprotein (anti-RNP) of measles virus. Tests with anti-HA showed that the Rockborn strain of CDV was more closely related to measles virus than Ond-LP. The ribonucleoprotein antigens of the CDV strains were closely related to each other but were both related to and distinct from measles virus RNP. The use of measles anti-HL serum demonstrated that CDV possesses an antigenically related acetone-sensitive component equivalent to the haemolysin of measles virus. Absorption of human convalescent serum with excess quantities of acetone-fixed CDV antigens had no effect on measles-specific anti-HA, HL, or RNP activity in the serum. Absorption with measles antigens on the other hand, totally removed all measles and CDV-specific HA and RNP activity. CDV was not neutralised by any of the monospecific antisera when tested either as individual antisera or as mixtures. Our results demonstrate the occurrence of antigenic variation between different strains of CDV, they also reveal unique antigenic determinants in both measles virus and CDV.
Insights
Canine distemper virus (CDV) strains exhibit antigenic variation, with some strains showing closer relation to measles virus. Measles virus antigens effectively remove both measles and CDV antibodies, indicating shared determinants.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Canine distemper virus (CDV) and measles virus are related morbilliviruses.
- Understanding their antigenic relationships is crucial for diagnostics and vaccine development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antigenic relationships between measles virus and different strains of CDV.
- To identify specific antigenic determinants unique to each virus and shared between them.
Main Methods:
- Indirect immunofluorescence titrations using monospecific antisera against measles virus haemagglutinin (anti-HA), haemolysin (anti-HL), and ribonucleoprotein (anti-RNP).
- Comparative analysis of Rockborn and Onderstepoort large plaque (Ond-LP) CDV strains against measles virus.
- Antigen absorption studies using human convalescent serum.
Main Results:
- The Rockborn CDV strain showed closer antigenic relation to measles virus than the Ond-LP strain based on anti-HA tests.
- Ribonucleoprotein antigens of CDV strains were similar to each other and related to, yet distinct from, measles virus RNP.
- CDV possesses an acetone-sensitive component antigenically related to measles virus haemolysin.
- Measles virus antigens absorbed both measles and CDV-specific antibodies, while CDV antigens did not affect measles-specific antibody activity.
Conclusions:
- Significant antigenic variation exists between different CDV strains.
- Shared and unique antigenic determinants are present in measles virus and CDV.
- Measles virus antigens play a key role in cross-reactivity, highlighting their importance in understanding morbillivirus immunity.