title: Generation of class-selective monoclonal antibodies against the penicillin group.
abstract: To develop a penicillin-specific ELISA, different attempts were made to obtain monoclonal antibodies specific for the common structure of penicillins. Ampicillin was coupled to different carrier proteins (bovine serum albumin, chicken ovalbumin, and thyroglobulin) to render it immunogenic. Different coupling methods were compared: two methods using a cross-linker (glutaraldehyde or a succinimide ester), one carbodiimide-mediated coupling method, and one method without any cross-linker or mediator molecule (physiological binding). Mice were immunized with the conjugates intraperitoneally or in the footpad. A screening ELISA was developed to detect anti-ampicillin antibodies in sera. Specificity and affinity of the antibodies were demonstrated by inhibiting their binding with a 10 mM solution of ampicillin. No difference could be observed using electrofusion or PEG-mediated fusion. For the production of the monoclonals, an intravenous final boost gave antibodies with better specificity and affinity than an intraperitoneal final booster injection. At least one anti-ampicillin monoclonal antibody (19C9) cross-reacts with penicillin G, oxacillin, dicloxacillin, and carbenicillin, and not with sulfanilamide, chloramphenicol, neomycin, and streptomycin, and is therefore considered interesting for developing a penicillin-specific ELISA.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Veterinary Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cliquet
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Van Dorpe
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schacht
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Goddeeris
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D007769:Lactams; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010406:Penicillins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D007769:Lactams; D010406:Penicillins