A detective monoclonal antibody recognized conserved epitope of hemagglutinin from H5N1 influenza virus

Monoclonal antibodies are needed for the development of effective, accurate and sensitive immunoassays against the H5N1 avian influenza. Here we report the generation of monoclonal antibodies targeting Escherichia coli expressed hemagglutinin of HA1 domain from H5N1 influenza virus. The monoclonal antibodies can be used to establish a sandwich ELISA assay that is able to detect HA from H5 subtype virus lysate but not from H9 subtype. A subtype-conserved new epitope was also identified which is located between the amino acid residues N80 to A99. This work would be helpful for the development of a diagnosis kit for the H5N1 avian influenza.