Human alpha-fetoprotein epitopes as revealed by monoclonal antibodies.
The epitope specificity of 12 anti-human alpha-fetoprotein monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) was estimated in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A combination of two different approaches: (i) Mabs binding to heterologous alpha-fetoprotein (AFP); and (ii) cooperative Mabs binding to human AFP (hAFP) when tested in pair mixtures; was used. This double-approach methodology was found to be more reliable for the definition of Mab specificities than either method alone. The anti-hAFP Mabs studied recognised eight unique non-repeated epitopes on hAFP. Two of the epitopes were specific for humans, whereas six were common to other species (mouse, rat, calf, dog, pig and cat) with a characteristic species distribution for each epitope. All epitopes were present on hAFP synthesised by hepatoma, yolk sac tumour and embryo.
All-Union Cancer Research Centre, Moscow, U.S.S.R.
A K
AK
Yazova
A I
AI
Goussev
V S
VS
Poltoranina
E F
EF
Yakimenko
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D002415:Cats / Q000276:immunology; D002417:Cattle / Q000276:immunology; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004285:Dogs / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D011233:Precipitin Tests; D012377:Rodentia / Q000276:immunology; D013045:Species Specificity; D013552:Swine / Q000276:immunology; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000939:Epitopes; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins