Glycosylation is not necessary for recognition of the fusion glycoprotein domain of the human respiratory syncytial virus by a polyclonal antibody

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a leading pathogen causing lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children worldwide. In line with the development of an effective vaccine against HRSV, a domain of the fusion (F) glycoprotein of HRSV was produced and its immunogenicity and antigenic properties, namely the effect of deficient glycosylation was examined. A His-tagged recombinant F (rF) protein was expressed in Escherichia coli, solubilized with 8 mol/l urea, purified by the Ni-NTA affinity chromatography and used for the raising of a polyclonal antibody in rabbits. The non-glycosylated rF protein proved to be a strong immunogen that induced a polyclonal antibody that was able to recognize also the glycosylated F1 subunit of native HRSV. The other way around, a polyclonal antibody prepared against the native HRSV was able to react with the rF protein. These results indicated that glycosylation was not necessary for the F domain aa 212-574 in order to be recognized by the specific polyclonal antibody.