title: Non-cross-reactive monoclonal antibodies to human chorionic gonadotropin generated after immunization with a synthetic peptide.
abstract: Noncross-reactive monoclonal antibodies specific for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were obtained after pre-selection for submolecular specificity with a synthetic peptide immunogen. Mice were immunized with a synthetic peptide representing a segment unique to the beta-subunit of hCG (amino acid residues 109-145), conjugated to diphtheria toxoid. We then derived nine different hybridomas that secreted monoclonal antibodies reactive with both native hCG and isolated C-terminal peptide, after somatic cell hybridization of immune spleen cells with a nonsecretory myeloma cell line. None of the nine monoclonal antibodies, termed beta-hCG-CTPa1----a9, reacted with hLH, hFSH, or hTSH, although these pituitary hormones display extensive amino acid sequence homology with hCG. The noncross-reactive anti-beta-hCG monoclonal antibodies show apparent association constants on the order of 10(9) to 10(10) M-1. A sandwich-type enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was set up with cut-off values of around 5 mIU/ml. These antibodies might have important implications for: a) improving the diagnosis and clinical management of pregnancy; b) monitoring the course of development of carcinomas which secrete the hormone, through in vitro assays or in vivo radioimmunodetection; c) evaluating the antibodies' therapeutic potential against such carcinomas; d) studying the biologic functions of the C-terminal segment of beta-hCG; and e) addressing the anti-fertility effect of antibodies raised against that segment.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Caraux
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chichehian
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gestin
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Longhi
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.forename: V C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pourquier
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D001666:Binding Sites, Antibody; D002459:Cell Fusion; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006825:Hybridomas / Q000276:immunology; D007114:Immunization / Q000379:methods; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone