Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to porcine immunoglobulin gamma, alpha, and light chains.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAB) to porcine immunoglobulins were produced by fusion of SP2/0 cells with splenic lymphocytes of mice that had been immunized with porcine IgG or IgA. Of 16 MAB selected for detailed study, 13 reacted with heavy chains (7 anti-gamma, 6 anti-alpha) and 3 reacted with light chains of native immunoglobulin. Several of the same MAB (3 anti-gamma chain, 1 anti-alpha chain, 3 anti-light chain) also reacted with denatured immunoglobulin by use of immunoblotting analysis. Collective results of competitive ELISA, immunodiffusion, and immunoblotting analysis indicated that the 7 MAB of anti-gamma chain specificity were directed to 3 epitopes, the 6 MAB of anti-alpha chain specificity were directed to at least 2 epitopes, and the 3 MAB of anti-light chain specificity were directed to at least 2 epitopes that may have been located of different types of light chains. When tested by immunodiffusion with 5% polyethylene glycol incorporated in the agar matrix, all anti-gamma chain and antilight chain MAB, but no anti-alpha chain MAB, had precipitating activity. When polyethylene glycol was not used, only 4 MAB (all of the anti-gamma chain specificity and of IgM isotype) had precipitating activity. These MAB, with specificity for gamma and alpha chains and those reported earlier with mu-chain specificity, should be invaluable in the detection and quantification of porcine immunoglobulin isotypes. These MAB have potential applications in delineating the porcine immune response to selected immunogens.