Production of monoclonal antibodies against equine influenza: application to a comparative study of various strains of the virus.

This study focused on producing monoclonal antibodies (Mo Abs) against two strains of equine influenza virus, subsequently using these antibodies to differentiate between various strains of the virus, including those originating from horses and humans.

Monoclonal Antibody Production

• The researchers prepared monoclonal antibodies against two reference strains of equine influenza virus: influenza/A/equine/Prague/1/56 (H7N7) and influenza/A/equine/Miami/1/63 (H3N8).
• Monoclonal antibodies are identical immune cells that are clones of a unique parent cell and are used to target specific cell types.
• The production of these Mo Abs allows for specific targeting and study of these influenza strains.

Comparative Testing

• The antibodies were then tested against a variety of virus strains to understand their reactivity and specificity. These included the 2 reference strains, 8 field strains of equine influenza virus, 3 human influenza viruses with the H3 hemagglutinin, and one human-origin virus with the H1 hemagglutinin.
• Hemagglutinin is a type of protein that allows viruses to enter host cells, and it plays a crucial role in the infectious power of influenza viruses.

Results and Specificity

• The researchers obtained two antibodies from one fusion against the Prague/1/56 strain, which only reacted with this strain, highlighting their specificity.
• Four antibodies were obtained against the Miami/1/63 strain in another fusion. Remarkably, they were able to differentiate eight strains of equine origin from all strains of human origin, and even from another equine strain called Joinville/1/78, isolated in 1978.
• These findings display the potential of these monoclonals as identification and differentiation tools for equine influenza strains.
• The specificity of this differentiation was confirmed further through cross-seroneutralization between the Miami/1/63 strain and the Joinville/1/78 strain. Cross-seroneutralization is a technique that tests the ability of serum from an infected individual to neutralize various strains of the virus.

Scientific Implications

• This study could help scientists identify and differentiate between various strains of equine influenza virus. This may be particularly usefully for outbrake tracking and creating targeted treatment therapies.
• These antibodies can potentially serve as valuable tools in the development of future equine influenza vaccines or therapeutic strategies.