Simple method of monoclonal antibody production against mammalian cellular prion protein.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against prion protein (PrP) are powerful tools for diagnosis and research in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Ten MAbs to recombinant/native cellular PrP (PrPc) in mammals were prepared with a simple method and identified in detail. Normal BALB/c mice were immunized with the recombinant bovine mature PrP (rbomPrP) and PrP27-30 (rboPrP27-30) expressed in Escherichia coli. The immunized splenocytes were fused with SP2/0 mouse myeloma cells, and positive hybridomas were selected by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The characterizations of these MAbs, such as Ig, Ig subclass, titer, affinity index, specificity, epitopes recognized, and binding to recombinant/native PrPc of cattle, sheep, or human beings, were evaluated by Western blotting and indirect or sandwich ELISA. Ten MAbs could be divided into five groups depending on the results of indirect ELISA additivity test and their reaction to E. coli-expressed truncated-PrPs. Isotyping of the MAbs revealed that they belong to IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b subclass. Their indirect ELISA titers were between 10(3) and 10(6). Affinity constants were between 10(9) and 10(12) M(-1). Ten MAbs specifically reacted with the rbomPrP, without binding to prion-like protein Doppel and the lysates of E. coli. These MAbs could also respond to the recombinant mature PrP (rmPrP) of sheep and human beings. Also of interest was the ability of the MAbs to bind with dimer of rmPrP and PrP extracted from the brain tissue of cattle or sheep. We conclude that anti-PrP MAbs successfully prepared with a simple method could potentially be useful in mammalian prion research.