The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine

Georgia Veterinary Scholars Program

GVSP Summer 2009 Scholars

Georgia Veterinary Scholar

Faculty Mentor

Valerie Livingston
Kansas State University
Class of 2012

Dr. Jeff Hogan
Department of Anatomy and Radiology

UGA College of Veterinary Medicine

Generation of monoclonal antibodies specific for the hemagglutinin (HA) protein of the H9 influenza virus

* V. Livingston under the direction of J. Hogan

Avian influenza is a highly contagious disease of birds that is caused by the type A strain of the influenza virus. Although avian influenza does not typically infect humans, since 1997 there have been many confirmed cases of human infection involving various subtypes of the virus. This evidence of transfer between birds and humans in addition to the virus’ high capacity for mutation has lead to increasing concern that a novel influenza strain will emerge among the human population and cause a pandemic. For example, in April of 2009 a new strain of Influenza A virus was discovered and within two months 30,000 confirmed human cases had been reported in 74 different countries. Given this emerging threat, enhanced surveillance and diagnostic tools are needed. With this in mind, the goal of this study was to improve our capacity to detect one of the main subtypes of type A strain known to infect both birds and people: the H9 influenza virus. Monoclonal antibodies were developed against the hemagglutinin (HA) protein of the H9 virus. Mice were vaccinated using recombinant protein. After serum ELISA titers reached a pre-determined level, splenocytes from the immunized mouse were fused with their myeloma cell partner and B cell hybridomas were generated. These B cell hybridomas were then tested for production of H9 specific antibodies. These monoclonal antibodies were then used to develop a species-independent ELISA capable of detecting whether an animal has been infected with the H9 influenza virus.