Detection by a solid phase independent enzyme immunoassay of monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies against monoclonal antibodies neutralizing Semliki Forest virus and encephalomyocarditis virus.

Neutralization inhibition enzyme immunoassay (NI-EIA) was evaluated for its usefulness to detect monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies (ab2mAbs) against idiotypic monoclonal antibodies (ab1mAbs) neutralizing either Semliki Forest virus (SFV) or encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV). Purified ab1mAbs were coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) mixed with the adjuvant Quil A and then injected intracutaneously into homologous BALB/c mice. Successful fusions were performed 5, 6 and 7 days after intracutaneous booster immunizations of these mice. Ab2mAbs in hybridoma supernatant fluids were detected by their capacity to block virus neutralization by ab1mAbs in NI-EIA. Two stable ab2mAb producing hybridomas were obtained against SFV neutralizing mAb UM 1.13, and twelve against EMCV neutralizing mAb UM 21.1.