Generation and characterization of a panel of anti-phosphoprotein monoclonal antibodies directed against Mokola virus

The generation of a new panel of 21 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) reactive with the P protein of Mokola virus (MOKV) is described. Through competitive ELISA and immunoblotting analyses, these MAbs were classified into several groups. Consistent with prior studies on lyssavirus P protein antigenic structure, many of the sites recognized by these Mabs appear to correspond to sites identified previously. Studies on the reactivity of these anti-MOKV P MAbs against a collection of lyssaviruses identified MAbs that were broadly cross-reactive to all genus members and others that bound selectively to members of different species. In particular the utility of this MAb panel for differentiation of African lyssaviruses was explored. Such a panel will be useful for further examination of the extent of functional complementation between lyssavirus P proteins.