Characterization of the Specificity of Monoclonal Antibodies against Mycobacterium tuberculosis by Crossed Immunoelectrophoresis

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Abstract
The specificity of monoclonal antibodies against Mycobacterium tuberculosis was determined by crossed immunoelectrophoresis, Radiolabelled, non‐precipitating monoclonal antibody was incorporated in the top gel together with unlabelled polyvalent, precipitating anti‐bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) antibody. Inclusion of labelled antibody in individual precipitate fines was demonstrated by autoradiography. Each monoclonal antibody was localized in a single precipitate line: antibody TB73 reacted with BCG antigen 56: TB71 and TB72 reacted with BCG antigen 78: and TB78 reacted with BCG antigen 82. The technique permits precise determination of the specificity of monoclonal antibodies at the level of reactivity with native immunogenic components of complex microorganisms without prior antigen purification.