Generation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies directed against noniodinated and iodinated thyroglobulin, among which are antibodies against hormonogenic sites.

In this paper we describe the preparation and characterization of three different groups of monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) raised against iodinated and noniodinated human thyroglobulin (hTg). One group (A) of three Mabs is directed against hTg without discrimination between different iodine contents of Tg. The second group (B) of three Mabs has a higher affinity for iodinated Tg than for noniodinated Tg, and the Mabs are not species specific. The last group (C) of two Mabs generated against noniodinated hTg shows a higher affinity for noniodinated hTg than for iodinated hTg. From competition experiments with T4 we conclude that the second group of Mabs is directed against hormonogenic sites in the protein. From these Mabs, probably two are directed against the N-terminal hormonogenic site, and one against one of the C-terminal hormonogenic sites in Tg. Reactivity of the Mabs of group B with Tgs of various degrees of iodination indicates that the N-terminal T4 is formed first.