Differential expression of Epstein-Barr virus membrane antigens defined with monoclonal antibodies

Abstract

Four different mouse hybrid cell lines producing IgG2b monoclonal antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) membrane antigens (MA) were analyzed. The antigens defined by these antibodies, MA-2, MA-4, MA-5, and MA-7, were expressed only on EBV-producing cells. The antigens were induced on P3HR-1 cells by treatment with tumor-promoting agent (TPA) plus n-butyrate, and this induction was inhibited by treatment with phosphonoacetic acid (PAA) or acyclovir. Most MA monoclonal antibodies neutralized the infectivity of EBV in vitro in the presence of complement. The monoclonal antibody MA-4 precipitated two polypeptides with mol wt of 340K and 240K, while other monoclonal antibodies MA-2, MA-5, and MA-7, did only 340K peptide. The frequency of positive cells in MA-induced cells varied for each monoclonal antibody tested. It was also found that MA-4 (anti-340K and 240K) antibody reacted on both chemically induced cells and EBV superinfected cells, but others did only on chemically induced cells. It was suggested that MA had a different pattern of expression between chemically induced cells and EBV superinfected cells.