Characterization of a sheep trophoblast-derived antigen first appearing at implantation.

A monoclonal antibody designated SBU-3 was produced by the fusion of mouse NS-1 myeloma cells with spleen cells from a BALB/c mouse immunized with sheep trophoblast microvilli. Lee et al (1985) have reported the immunohistological staining of sheep trophoblast with SBU-3 showing that, as early as 21 days of gestation, the monoclonal antibody recognizes an antigen restricted to the binucleate cells of the trophoblast which are located only at sites of invasion of the underlying uterine tissue. Subsequently the antigen appears in the maternal syncytial layer. Immunoprecipitation of 125I-labelled microvilli by SBU-3, characterization of the antigen on immunoblots, and biochemical analysis all suggest that this monoclonal antibody specifically recognizes a carbohydrate epitope on a series of glycoproteins of molecular weights between 30 000 and 200 000. SBU-3 antigen is present in allantoic fluid but is not detectable in any fetal or adult tissue studied, including maternal and fetal sera. It is suggested that this antigen may have a role in the placentation process.