An Immunodominant Region of the Envelope Glycoprotein of Small Ruminant Lentiviruses May Function as Decoy Antigen.

ABSTRACT: (1) Background: Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV) persist in infected goats that mount a strong humoral immune response characterized by low neutralizing titers. In this study, we characterized the antibody response to SU5, a variable, immunodominant epitope of the envelope glycoprotein of SRLV. We tested the working hypothesis that the variability of SU5 reflects escape from neutralizing antibody. (2) Methods: Affinity purified anti-SU5 antibody were tested for their neutralizing activity to the homologous lentivirus. Virus culture supernatant—in native form or following sonication and filtration—was used to test the ability of free envelope glycoproteins to compete for binding in a SU5-peptide-ELISA. (3) Results: Anti-SU5 antibodies are not neutralizing, strongly suggesting

SUBMITTER: Zahno ML 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5977224 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature