Desenvolvimento de ferramentas de detecção das proteínas VP4 e VP6 para imunodiagnósticos de rotavírus do Tipo A

Abstract

Due to rising rates of morbidity and mortality caused by human rotavirus, detection methods have been used routinely in clinical and epidemiological studies. The diagnosis of rotavirus infections is based on the detection of particles, antigens or viral RNA from the fecal material. This study aimed to develop the VP4 and VP6 protein detection tools for immunodiagnostic of Rotavirus group A. Rabbit and mice anti-VP4 and anti-VP6 IgGs were obtained from immunizations made with VP4 and VP6 recombinant proteins of Rotavirus A, both built in this study, and tested by flow cytometry and Western blot against the recombinant antigen and the native antigen. The region of the VP4 protein, selected for the generation of mice and rabbit anti-VP4 IgGs, was efficient to recognize native antigen in denatured form, as observed in western blot assays. The cytometry analysis demonstrated that generated anti-VP4 antibodies were not specific enough to be used in techniques where the VP4 protein is in its native form. Selected regions for production of VP6 protein have been efficient for the generation of anti-VP6 antibodies, able to recognize the native protein in its denatured and non-denatured form. Future studies will aim to increase the specificity of the antibodies obtained to allow their use in a greater number of immunoassays.