Antigenic structure of mammalian adenoviruses studied by monoclonal antibodies against bovine adenovirus type 2.

The cross-reactivity pattern of eight monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) raised against bovine adenovirus type 2 (BAV2) hexon was studied by indirect ELISA using seven different adenoviruses. All of the eight MAbs reacted with the two BAV2 subtypes (A and B), while the other adenoviruses, human adenovirus type 1 (HAV1), ovine adenovirus type 3 (OAV3), BAV1, BAV4 and BAV8 gave different combinations of positive reactions. Based on the results of cross-reactivity there is a close antigenic relationship between the two different BAV2 subtypes. There is an antigenic relationship among the adenovirus types studied, including viruses of human and animal origin. One of the MAbs (IV. F5) seems to be type specific. Another MAb (BH5) detects a common epitope among adenoviruses of animal origin, and reacts even with BAV4 and BAV8.