ABSTRACT
This study probes into the prospect of cross-reactivity of HCMV with RCMV which has not been acknowledged to date. We describe the uncovering of a protein with an estimated size of between 61-68 kDa from local RCMV strains which reacted with HCMV positive sera. Our findings are a first disclosure of a plausible immunological cross-reactivity between RCMV with its human counterpart which grounds substantial interest implying existence of conserved determinants between rat and human CMV polypeptides. The cross-reactive protein most likely represents an enveloped glycoprotein, though the precise identification and its degree of similarity needs to be evidently defined and further elucidated in forthcoming experiments.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Viral/immunology , Cross Reactions , Cytomegalovirus/immunology , Muromegalovirus/immunology , Viral Proteins/immunology , Animals , Cell Line , Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel , Humans , Molecular Weight , Rats , Viral Proteins/chemistryABSTRACT
This study probes into the prospect of cross-reactivity of HCMV with RCMV which has not been acknowledged to date. We describe the uncovering of a protein with an estimated size of between 61-68 kDa from local RCMV strains which reacted with HCMV positive sera. Our findings are a first disclosure of a plausible immunological cross-reactivity between RCMV with its human counterpart which grounds substantial interest implying existence of conserved determinants between rat and human CMV polypeptides. The cross-reactive protein most likely represents an enveloped glycoprotein, though the precise identification and its degree of similarity needs to be evidently defined and further elucidated in forthcoming experiments.