Epitope mapping of the major Epstein-Barr virus outer envelope glycoprotein gp350/220.

To understand the complete immunochemical structure of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) major membrane glycoprotein gp350/220, monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) reacting with this important viral antigen were isolated. Through competitive inhibition binding studies, it was determined that a group of 18 IgG MAbs recognized seven distinct epitopes on the gp350/220 molecule. Eight of these MAbs fell into a single epitope group with four of those MAbs, as well as a single MAb from another epitope group, being capable of neutralizing EBV strain B95-8 transformation of umbilical cord lymphocytes.