Production and evaluation of specific monoclonal antibodies to citrus tristeza virus strains

Abstract

Hybridomas were pre~ared by the fusion of mouse myeloma cells, cell line P3-X63-Ag8.653, and spleen cells from BALB/C mice nnrnunIzed with partially clarified and concentration sap from citrus tristeza virus (CTV) infected citron. A CTV strain, T514, from California was used for the preparation of inject antigen. Hybrids were cloned by limiting dilution and screened for reactivity to sap from CTV infected and healthy citron. Further characterization of the reacting components will be carried out by protein slab gel electrophoresis and western blot analysis. Analysis of clones for strain specificity was undertaken using a solid phase ELISA with alkaline phosphatase conjugated affinity purified goat anti-mouse IgG. Results of these tests indicate that strain specific or strain differentiating monoclonal antibodies might be obtained from our hybridomas