Monoclonal antibodies preventing invasion of Neospora caninum tachyzoites into host cells

Twelve monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against Neospora caninum tachyzoites were produced to specify the antigens related to the invasion of tachyzoites into host cells. In the assay to evaluate the inhibition activity, all these MAbS prevented the cultured Vero cells from the invading by the tachyzoites. These MAbs recognized approximately a 73 kDa antigen in Western blot analysis. Immunofluorescence assay and immune electron microscopy revealed that this 73 kDa antigen is a part of the surface antigens of N. caninum tachyzoite, and that the tachyzoite antigen identified plays an important role for invasion of host cells.