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Clinical and Vaccine Immunology, October 2008, p. 1547-1554, Vol. 15, No. 10
1071-412X/08/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/CVI.00219-08
Copyright © 2008, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Cross-Reactivity between Immunoglobulin G Antibodies of Whales and Dolphins Correlates with Evolutionary Distance{triangledown}

Hendrik H. Nollens,1* Carolina Ruiz,1 Michael T. Walsh,1 Frances M. D. Gulland,2 Gregory Bossart,3 Eric D. Jensen,4 James F. McBain,5 and James F. X. Wellehan1

Marine Mammal Health Program and the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610,1 The Marine Mammal Center, 1065 Fort Cronkhite, Sausalito, California 94965,2 Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Division of Marine Mammal Research and Conservation, Ft. Pierce, Florida 34946,3 U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, San Diego, California 92152,4 SeaWorld San Diego, 500 SeaWorld Drive, San Diego, California 921095

Received 12 June 2008/ Returned for modification 18 July 2008/ Accepted 23 August 2008

Growing morphological and molecular evidence indicates that the porpoises, dolphins, and whales evolved within the even-toed ungulates, formerly known as Artiodactyla. These animals are now grouped in the Cetartiodactyla. We evaluated the antigenic similarity of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) molecules of 15 cetacean species and the domestic cow. The similarity was scored using three distinct antibodies raised against bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) IgG in a Western blot, an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and a competitive ELISA format. A score was generated for the genetic distance between each species and T. truncatus using the cytochrome b sequence. Each antibody displayed a distinct pattern of reactivity with the IgG antibodies of the various species. The monoclonal antibody (MAb) specific for the {gamma} heavy chain of T. truncatus was reactive with all monodontids, delphinids, and phocoenids. The light-chain-specific MAb reacted with IgG of delphinoid and phocoenid species and one of the two mysticete species tested. The polyclonal antibody was broadly cross-reactive across all cetaceans and the domestic cow. Using the MAb specific for the {gamma} heavy chain, the degree of IgG cross-reactivity ranged from less than 17% for the mysticetes to 106% for killer whale Orcinus orca. The IgG in beaked whale and baleen whale sera was significantly less cross-reactive with bottlenose dolphin IgG than sera from other toothed whales. A strong negative correlation was demonstrated between antigenic cross-reactivity of IgG molecules and the genetic distance of their hosts. The data generated will be useful for the development of clinical serodiagnostics in diverse cetacean species.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100126, Gainesville, FL 32610. Phone: (352) 392-2226, ext. 5286. Fax: (352) 392-6436. E-mail: NollensH{at}vetmed.ufl.edu

{triangledown} Published ahead of print on 3 September 2008.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology, October 2008, p. 1547-1554, Vol. 15, No. 10
1071-412X/08/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/CVI.00219-08
Copyright © 2008, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



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