Characterization of monoclonal antibodies against Schistosoma mansoni.

Monoclonal antibodies directed against Schistosoma mansoni antigens were produced by the in vitro fusion of B lymphocytes, obtained from mice infected with S. mansoni, and SP2/0 myeloma cells. Antibody reactivity was assessed by ELISA binding, utilizing 4 M KCl extracts of cercariae and adult worms, soluble egg antigen (SEA), and purified antigenic preparations, and by indirect immunofluorescence using living schistosomula. The monoclonal antibodies recognized a wide spectrum of antigenic determinants. The specificity of the monoclonal reactivities ranged from high cross-reactivity to extreme restriction, vis-a-vis the distribution of the recognized determinants within genus, species, stages, and purified antigenic preparations. The specificity of reactivity of monoclonal antibodies for a given determinant was greater than that of immune mouse serum. These studies establish the feasibility of the production of large numbers of monoclonal antibodies and of their use of antigen identification. The monoclonal antibodies are available to interested investigators upon request.