[A study of antigenic characterization of Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein using monoclonal antibodies].

Monoclonal antibodies (Mo-Abs) were prepared by fusing mouse myeloma cells (PAI) with spleen cells of mice immunized with Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein (THGP). Six Mo-Abs screened for the presence of anti-THGP antibodies by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and by immunoblotting assay have been produced. The specificity studies clearly indicated that the Mo-Ab individualized four distinct epitopes. The immunofluorescent reaction by the Mo-Abs have been analyzed in the human kidney section with normal or a minimal change. The No. 1, 2, 3 and 5 of Mo-Abs reacted with the cytoplasm of distal convoluted renal tubules, while the No. 4 and 6 of Mo-Abs reacted with a substance in the capsular space as well as with the cytoplasm of distal convoluted tubules. The sites of synthesis of this substance, detected in the capsular space by No. 4 and 6 of Mo-Abs and held the immunological cross-reactivity with tubular THGP, is presently uncertain. The specificity of the Mo-Ab may be of considerable value for further studies.