Identification of a potential neutralizing linear epitope of hemagglutinin-neuraminidase in Newcastle disease virus

Abstract Background The hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a major antigen that can induce protective antibodies in poultry. However, its antigenic epitopes have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, defining the linear HN, especially neutralizing epitopes, will be useful for revealing characterization. Methods In this study, we analyzed B-cell immunodominant (IDEs) HN from vaccine strain LaSota using pepscan technology with LaSota-specific chicken hyperimmune antisera. We constructed IDEs-RFP plasmids and prepared anti-IDEs peptide mouse sera to identify IDEs through immunological tests. At last, different diluted anti-IDE antisera were used BHK-21 cells perform neutralization test. Results Five screened further verified by indirect immunofluorescence assays, dot blots Western NDV- IDEs-specific All five showed good immunogenicity. IDE5 (328–342 aa) could recognize only class II NDV but did react I strain. Most are highly conserved among strains. A test vitro peptide-specific IDE4 (242–256 HN341-355, reported epitope, partially neutralize avirulent as well virulent strains at similar levels, suggesting might potential epitope. Conclusion animals. identified approach NDV-specific elicit specific mice. was novel These results help elucidate facilitate development vaccines.