[Production of monoclonal antibodies against Mycobacterium leprae].

A series of hybridoma cell lines, which secrete monoclonal antibodies (McAbs), were produced by means of fusion between mouse myeloma cells SP2/O and spleen cells from BALB/C mice immunized with whole M. leprae plus unique phenolic glycolipid I(PGL-I) of M. leprae and M. leprae sonicates supernatant fluid (MLSS) as immunogen. Primary identification indicated that H2 cell line can secrete McAb against the epitope of PGL-I; IIIE10 cell line can secrete McAb against PGL-I and MLSS and (5) 24 D6C8 cell line only against whole M. leprae. The uses of these McAbs in serodiagnosis of leprosy, identification of M. leprae, analysis and purification of M. leprae antigens, and key problems in technology for producing McAbs against M. leprae were also discussed.