CHARACTERIZATION OF 3 NOVEL MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES AGAINST HEPATITIS-CVIRUS CORE PROTEIN

Three novel monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were established against a re combinant hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein derived from cloned gen otype 1b HCV cDNA. MAbs C7-50 and C8-59 recognize a conserved linear e pitope represented by amino acid residues 21 to 40 of the nucleocapsid protein. MAb C8-48 is directed against a strain-specific conformation al epitope located within the first 82 amine acids. A sensitive two-si te MAb-based immunoradiometric assay was established using antibodies directed against distinct epitopes on the nucleocapsid protein. Proces sed 21 kDa core protein was detected by immunoblotting in human hepato cellular carcinoma cell lines and primary adult rat hepatocytes transf ected with a cytomegalovirus promoter-driven expression construct. Imm unofluorescence microscopy studies revealed a granular and vesicular c ytoplasmic staining pattern. MAb C7-50 was used successfully to detect HCV core antigen in chronically infected chimpanzee liver tissue. The se MAbs represent important reagents for the study of HCV biology and for the development of immunodiagnostic assays. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, I nc.