Preparation and Characterization of a Monoclonal Antibody to Prunus necrotic ringspot virus

A cell line named PVRSV1D11 secreting monoclonal antibody (McAb) against the prokaryotically expressed coat protein (CP) of Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) was developed using hybridoma technology including animal immunization, cell fusion, cell line culture and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)‐based for screening. The specificity, titre and detection sensitivity of the McAb were determined by indirect ELISA to establish optimal conditions. The antibody reacted strongly with PNRSV and showed no cross‐reactions with the proteins of Plum pox virus, Prunus dwarf virus, Apple stem pitting virus, Apple stem grooving virus, Apple mosaic virus or Apple chlorotic leafspot virus. The ascites developed with PNRSV1D11 cell line showed high absorbance until it was diluted to over 6.6 × 10⁷ fold. The McAb belonged to IgG_2a isotype and was diluted by 1.28 × 10⁵ folds as an optimal detection concentration. The detection sensitivity of the monoclonal antibody was 11.7 ng/ml protein of PNRSV. The results indicated that the McAb against the CP of PNRSV is suitable for PNRSV detection in the plants and for monitoring the dynamics of the virus by using indirect ELISA.