Viral oncolysis in the A2G mouse revisited: monoclonal antibody-mediated tumor rejection.

A2G mice can be immunized against the Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) by influenza virus oncolysis or with influenza virus oncolysates. To facilitate studies of the cellular antigens immunopotentiated by viral oncolysis, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against EAT cells were produced from postoncolytic EAT-immune A2G mice. Reciprocal competitive binding on EAT cells was used to classify the mAbs into epitope-related groups. One mAb, 198.9, could fully protect A2G mice against EAT cell challenge, could rescue A2G mice from an established EAT, and could mediate lysis of EAT cells in vivo. mAb 198.9 provides a new tool for studying the biochemical characteristics and immunological properties of a cellular antigen centrally involved in this model.