Abstract
We have identified and characterized eight antigenic epitopes on the 53,000 dalton envelope (E) glycoprotein of Saint Louis encephalitis (SLE) virus by using monoclonal antibodies. One of these epitopes (E-1c) encoded for the type-specific biologic functions of hemagglutination (HA) and neutralization (N). Injection of 50 ng of anti-E-1c antibody protected the majority of mice from peripheral challenge with 100 i.p. LD50 of SLE virus. Similar levels of protection with antibodies specific for other epitopes usually required greater than or equal to 1000-fold additional antibody. Attempts to block N or protection at the E-1c antigenic domain by using antibody to several other SLE epitopes that strongly competed for the E-1c site were unsuccessful. Enhancement of protection was observed with mixtures of the more cross-reactive antibodies. The E-1c antibody was also effective in abrogating SLE virus replication until neural invasion occurred. On the basis of these findings, the topologic arrangement and function of the eight SLE E glycoprotein epitopes on the virion spike is proposed.
- Copyright © 1984 by American Association of Immunologists
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