Summary auto-generated
This study examined antigenic variation among nine mumps virus strains using 44 monoclonal antibodies directed against five structural proteins: haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN), fusion (F), matrix (M), phospho (P), and nucleocapsid (NP). The strains included six recent clinical isolates from different geographic locations, two older laboratory strains (SBL-1 and S69 from the 1960s-70s), and the Jeryl Lynn vaccine strain. Using immunofluorescence and radioimmunoprecipitation assay, researchers identified two antigenic groups: older strains and the vaccine strain showed broader reactivity with monoclonal antibodies, while recently isolated strains showed more restricted patterns. Greatest variability occurred in HN and NP proteins, with three and seven varying antigenic determinants respectively. The F, M, and P proteins showed minimal variation, with only single antigenic sites affected. Notably, the Jeryl Lynn vaccine strain lacked reactivity with one anti-HN antibody clone. The findings indicate that mumps virus evolution has occurred over 10-15 years, with some antigenic sites remaining stable while others are more vulnerable to alteration, though the extent of change appears insufficient to permit reinfection.
Key findings
- Mumps virus strains segregate into two antigenic groups: older strains (SBL-1, S69) and the Jeryl Lynn vaccine strain show broader monoclonal antibody reactivity compared to recently isolated strains
- Antigenic variation is greatest in HN (3 variable determinants) and NP (7 variable determinants) proteins, while F, M, and P proteins show minimal variation
- The Jeryl Lynn vaccine strain exhibits a unique lack of reactivity with anti-HN monoclonal antibody clone 5374, despite being similar overall to older strains
- Evidence of mumps virus evolution within 10-15 years suggests some antigenic sites have been lost or altered in recently circulating strains
- Many antigenic sites on mumps virus proteins have remained stable over the studied period, indicating the virus maintains its monotypic status despite detectable strain-level differences
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Abstract
Antigenic characteristics of nine mumps virus strains were determined by immunofluorescence and radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA) using a collection of 44 monoclonal antibodies. These antibodies were directed against five different structural components of mumps virus, the haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN), fusion (F), matrix (M), phospho- (P) and nucleocapsid (NP) proteins. The nine mumps virus strains could be divided into two groups according to their antigenic characteristics. One group included two strains isolated more than a decade ago and the Jeryl Lynn vaccine strain. These three strains reacted with a wider range of monoclonal antibodies than the second group of six recently isolated strains of different geographical origin. In the F, M and P proteins variations were only found in single antigenic determinants. In the HN and NP components, RIPA revealed variations in three and seven determinants respectively. The Jeryl Lynn vaccine strain showed a unique lack of reaction with one anti-HN antibody clone in the RIPA.