Immunization with immune complexes: characterization of monoclonal antibodies against a TSH-antibody complex

Mol Immunol. 1987 Dec;24(12):1309-15. doi: 10.1016/0161-5890(87)90126-x.

Abstract

Monoclonal antibodies (MAb) to human thyrotropin (hTSH) were prepared by immunization of mice and rats according to different procedures. We have previously demonstrated that a specific antigenic region on the surface of the hTSH molecule was highly immunogenic; in order to produce specific MAb to weakly immunogenic regions of hTSH, we immunized mice and rats with a complex composed of hTSH and an anti-beta hTSH MAb 27 directed against the highly immunogenic region. Monoclonal antibodies elicited by this immunization procedure were highly specific and a high percentage was found complementary to the MAb 27 used in the immunogen. We did not search for anti-MAb 27 antibodies, however one hybridoma produced antibody that preferentially reacted with the immune complex. This antibody, called 515, is an IgG1 that binds the complex with 100-fold greater affinity than it does to the anti-beta hTSH MAb 27 alone. This enhancement was also observed with the Fab fragment of the MAb suggesting that the epitope recognized by this anti-complex MAb is displayed in a very different way when hTSH is bound to the first MAb.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / biosynthesis*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibody Affinity
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Antigen-Antibody Complex / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunization
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Thyrotropin / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigen-Antibody Complex
  • Thyrotropin