Abstract
In this report, we describe the development and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against the surface antigens of cervical cancer cells. Using HeLa cervical carcinoma cells as the immunogen, we have developed a number of antibodies that specifically label cervical cancer cells but not normal cervical epithelial cells. These antibodies displayed differential reactivity towards various cervical cancer cell lines as determined by immunofluorescence labeling and western blotting analyses. One of these antibodies, 13G4, which showed the strongest labeling to HeLa cells and has the widest range of reactivity to other cervical cancer cell lines, was extensively characterized. By immunoaffinity chromatography, we purified a 90-kDa protein that appears to be the principal target recognized by this antibody. This protein was subsequently identified as decay accelerating factor (DAF) or CD55 by the mass spec sequencing analysis of the tryptic peptides derived from this protein. Digestion of HeLa DAF with glycosidases that removed its N- and O-linked carbohydrates has revealed that the 13G4 antibody binds to the peptide portion of this glycoprotein. Overall, our approach of generating and characterizing monoclonal antibodies directed against the surface antigens of cervical cancer cells serves as a stepping stone towards the eventual development of a unique panel of monoclonal antibodies that could potentially be used for the detection and therapeutic treatment of cervical cancer.
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