title: Production and characterization of a novel monoclonal antibody against progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF).
abstract: Progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF) has been described as an active factor intimately involved in regulation of the immune response in pregnancy. It has been shown that PIBF biased the cytokine balance to Th2-type in pregnancy and inhibited the activity of NK cells. The biological roles of PIBF would be better defined if methods for its detection and measurement in biological fluids are available. However, so far, reliable antibodies have not been developed to be used as specific probes. A monoclonal antibody designated as MAB 3A6 was produced and characterized. MAB 3A6 reacts specifically with PIBF. It can detect this protein in biological fluids when tested by immunoblot and recognizes PIBF expressed on the surface of lymphocytes of pregnant women stimulated in vitro with progesterone. The characteristics of MAB 3A6 makes it the possible basis for development of a clinically applicable assay to assess the presence and concentration of PIBF in biological samples.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 73 Tzarigradsko shosse, Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: Ekaterina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ivanova-Todorova
authors.forename: Dobroslav S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kyurkchiev
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nalbanski
authors.forename: Tanya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Timeva
authors.forename: Atanas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shterev
authors.forename: Stanimir D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Kyurkchiev
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D010920:Placenta / Q000276:immunology*; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000652:urine; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D013491:Suppressor Factors, Immunologic / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; C110058:PIBF1 protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D013491:Suppressor Factors, Immunologic; D011374:Progesterone