Summary auto-generated
This study examined antigenic cross-reactivity among three lentiviruses that infect sheep and goats: caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV), visna virus (VV), and progressive pneumonia virus (PPV). Researchers used immunoprecipitation with radioactively labeled viral proteins and antiserum from goats, sheep, and rabbits to characterize the structural proteins. They found that all three viruses contain eight major virion-associated proteins and glycoproteins with molecular weights ranging from 14K to 135K. Caprine anti-CAEV serum precipitated all major structural proteins of both CAEV isolates tested (G63 and Co) as well as VV and PPV proteins, though cross-reactions with ovine virus core proteins were somewhat weaker. Similarly, rabbit and sheep antisera showed cross-reactivity with all virion proteins across the three virus types. The results demonstrate that common antigenic determinants are present on all major structural and glycoprotein components and are immunogenic in all tested animal species, suggesting substantial antigenic relatedness among these lentiviruses despite genetic diversity.
Key findings
- All three lentiviruses (CAEV, VV, and PPV) share eight major virion-associated proteins with apparent molecular weights of 135K, 92K, 70K, 45K, 28K, 19K, 16K, and 14K
- Antigenic cross-reactivity involves all major structural proteins and glycoproteins, detected by immunoprecipitation using antisera from goats, rabbits, and sheep
- Common antigenic determinants were recognized in heterologous reactions, with some variation in intensity between homologous and heterologous reactions
- No virus-type-specific antigens were detected using polyclonal antisera, suggesting high antigenic relatedness across the three lentivirus isolates tested
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Abstract
Antigenic relatedness between the virion-associated proteins of caprine arthritis-encephalitis, visna and progressive pneumonia viruses was examined. Antigenic cross-reactivity was assessed by immunoprecipitation of disrupted, radiolabelled virus with goat, sheep and rabbit antisera, followed by resolution of the immunoprecipitation products by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results indicate that antigenic cross-reactivity between the caprine and ovine virus isolates involves all of the major virion-associated proteins and glycoproteins. The common antigenic determinants exhibited by virion structural proteins are immunogenic in goats, sheep and rabbits.