Shared determinants of native and denatured bovine serum albumin are recognized by both B- and T-cells.

The antigenic relationship between native and denatured bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated by examining specificity of antibodies directed against both proteins. Polyclonal antibodies produced to native and denatured BSA in hyperimmunized mice were specific for the homologous molecule. In contrast, polyclonal antibodies formed early in the response to native BSA reacted both the denatured and the native molecule. Monoclonal antibodies to native BSA were specific for the homologous antigen, while one of three clones prepared by immunization with denatured BSA produced an antibody cross-reactive with native BSA. Our results suggest that shared determinants of native and denatured BSA molecules can be recognized by both B- and T-cells.