Characterization of Monoclonal Antibodies against Integrin αvβ5

Abstract
A panel of monoclonal antibodies directed against the human integrin αvβ5 has been generated. Mice were immunized using human αvβ5 purified from placenta. Two hundred hybridoma clones were screened by ELISA and 14 were found to react with purified integrin αvβ5. Here we characterize the monoclonal antibodies secreted by three clones, 14H4, 6B9, and 15F11. Two of these antibodies, 6B9 and 15F11, are highly specific for integrin αvβ5. These two antibodies do not bind the highly homologous integrin αvβ5. The binding of 6B9 and 15F11 to integrin αvβ5 is not influenced by ligand nor by divalent cation. Antibody 14H4, obtained in the same fusion, recognizes the αv subunit.