Production and characterization of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against haemagglutinin protein of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) vaccine virus

A set of nine Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) virus specific hybridoma clones were produced against PPR vaccine virus (Sungri-96 strain) of Indian origin. In virus neutralization test (VNT), cell culture supernatants of these clones showed either complete or partial neutralization with 100 TCID50 PPR virus (PPRV). Of nine clones secreting monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), three were associated with complete neutralization of PPR virus and two of these (5C3, 5D4) were identified to be against heamagglutinin (H) protein of PPRV and of IgG2 isotypes. These MAbs were further studied for their potential diagnostic application, especially with regard to the detection of antibodies against PPRV in competitive ELISA (c-ELISA). These 5C3 and 5D4 MAbs proved effective for detection of PPR antibodies and could be employed for the development of specific PPR diagnostic assays.