Inhibition of Borna Disease Virus-mediated cell fusion by monoclonal antibodies directed against the viral glycoprotein

Borna disease virus-infected Vero cells express on their surface the major viral glycoprotein which mediates cell fusion after low pH treatment. This fusion event can be inhibited by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) generated from chronically BDV-infected rats boosted with a re- combinant vaccinia virus expressing the gp94 glycoprotein of BDV. Analysis of mAbs suggests specificity for the 43-kD C-terminal furin cleavage product of gp94 and provides evidence for the recognition of a conformational epitope. The results confirm and extend earlier findings on the presence of the gp43 protein on the surface of BDV-infected cells and its specific role in cell fusion.