Abstract
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) nucleocapsid protein (NP) is the immunodominant region of PRRSV viral proteins. Non-structural protein 2 (Nsp2) and its hypervariable region play an essential role in the differential diagnosis of PRRSV. Western blot and immunofluorescence assay (IFA) analyses found that 2 out of 18 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) recognized the NP and that 5 of 11 MAbs recognized Nsp2-120aa. IFA data demonstrated that 2 MAbs raised against the NP have a positive reaction to PRRSV; either HP-PRRSV, classic PRRSV or the vaccine strain at 1:100 dilution. Two MAbs raise against Nsp2-120aa also react positively with the classic PRRSV nor HP-PRRSV, but not with the PRRSV vaccine strain TJM-F92. Epitope mapping using truncated proteins identified a novel Nsp2-120aa epitope. In addition, we show that MAb BR/PNsp2-2A20 recognizes a 20 amino acid peptide (707) GRFEFLPKMILETPPPHPCG (727) of Nsp2. Based on our findings, we propose that MAb BR/PNsp2-2A20, raised against Nsp2-120aa of PRRSV, as a candidate specific diagnostic MAb for differentiation of the PRRSV virulent strains infected pig from vaccine strain TJM-F92 inoculated ones. The MAbs developed here have potential for use in diagnostic and research tools, including immunofluorescence assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting.