Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies raised against BoLA class I antigens

Monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) reacting with bovine leukocyte membrane antigens have been prepared by fusion of mouse myeloma cells (SP2/0.Ag.14) and spleen cells of mice immunized with various cell types. Three of these MoAbs detected membrane components showing the typical structure of class I MHC molecules; indeed, immunoprecipitation studies revealed that these components were proteins composed of two subunits of 44,000 and 12,000 daltons apparent molecular weight. The density of these antigens in the cells of various leukocyte lineages was determined by solid phase radioimmunoassay, immunogold staining and cytofluorometry. Their expression seemed similar to that of class I molecules in other species, namely heavy on the mononuclear blood cells and weaker on the neutrophils and platelets. The eosinophils appeared more positive than the neutrophils, while the erythrocytes were negative. Cross-inhibition and sequential immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that these MoAbs recognised different epitopes either on a single molecule or on cross-reacting molecules. One antibody appeared to be raised against the monomorphic bovine beta-2-microglobulin, while the two other antibodies detected the heavy chain of polymorphic class I-like products. The authors propose that the BoLA class I polymorphism should be studied by determination of the fixation ratio of the monomorphic anti-beta 2M versus the polymorphic anticlass I antibodies amongst the animals.