Anti-CD81 antibody blocks vertical transmission of avian leukosis virus subgroup J.

Control of ALV-J in breed of chicken is still a serious issue that need more attention to be paid. Vertical transmission of ALV-J often give rise to more adverse pathogenicity. However, the way to elimination of ALV-J underlying vertical transmission remains not-well understood. In addition, effective vaccines or drugs have not been developed to prevent and control the transmission of ALV-J so far. CD81, a member of the tetraspanins superfamily, plays important roles in regulating membrane proteins, facilitating cells adhesion or fusion, and also participates in viral infection. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether antibodies against certain tetraspanins affect infection of ALV-J. Here, we showed that anti-CD81 antibody could inhibit viral RNA and protein level. We also found that anti-CD81 antibody interacts with viral protein p27, p32 and gp37. Moreover, treatment with antibody to CD81 can effectively prevent the vertical transmission of ALV-J in animal model. Collectively, current study provides new avenues for the control of ALV-J transmission.