A monoclonal antibody directed to Tn antigen.

A murine monoclonal antibody, MLS 128, that was assigned to an anti-Tn antibody has been established by immunizing mice with human colonic cancer cells (LS 180). MLS 128 bound to mucin glycopeptides from LS 180 cells and their asialo forms to the same extent as well as to ovine submaxillary mucin (OSM) and asialo OSM. Special non-sialylated GalNAc residue(s) attached to a certain peptide region in the antigens seems to be involved in the binding since N-acetylgalactosaminidase treatment of the antigen abolished the binding and pronase digestion diminished the binding markedly.