Identification of a potential neutralizing linear epitope of hemagglutinin-neuraminidase in Newcastle disease virus.

The HN protein is a major protective antigen of NDV that can induce neutralizing antibodies in animals. We identified five IDEs of the HN using a pepscan approach with NDV-specific chicken hyperimmune antisera. The five IDEs could elicit specific antibodies in mice. IDE4 (242-256 aa) was identified as a novel potential neutralizing linear epitope. These results will help elucidate the antigenic epitopes of the HN and facilitate the development of NDV vaccines.