Characteristics of Five Monoclonal Antibodies to Major Allergens of the Short Ragweed Pollen

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Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies against major allergens of the short ragweed pollen were produced by fusion of NS-1 cells with splenic cells from BaLB/C mice that had been immunized separately with the major allergens, AgE-B+E-C and AgK, of the short ragweed pollen. These monoclonal antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and further characterized by immunoblot analysis using the crude extract and highly purified allergens of the ragweed pollen. Three monoclonal antibodies obtained by immunization with AgE-B+E-C, designated as 36-6, 27-2 and 48-5, reacted mainly with the beta (36-6) and alpha (27-2) subunit of AgE and both AgE and AgK (48-5), respectively. Two monoclonal antibodies obtained by immunization with AgK, 4-7 and 8-5, had a similar reactivity with AgE-B+E-C, AgK, AgK-A and AgK-B. In addition, however, antibody 4-7 also reacted with AgE-B2 as well as the 36- and the 24- to 22-kilodalton antigens of the crude extract. All 5 monoclonal antibodies were characterized as IgG1 subclass. Besides, monoclonal antibody 48-5 also showed cross-reactivity to components of sage pollen. Beyond academic interests, the monoclonal antibodies described here may also be useful in clinical allergy.