Preparation and properties of monoclonal antibodies to myelin basic protein and its peptides.

Techniques are described which have enabled the production and characterisation of monoclonal antibodies to myelin basic protein. These are shown by enzyme immunoassay to react with six different epitopes. Two of these are to peptide 82-91, a region claimed to be present in the spinal fluid of patients with demyelinating disease. One of these, an IgG(2a), is shown to react only with peptides in which the 91-92 phe-phe bond has broken. The other, an IgM, also reacts with whole myelin basic protein. The IgG(2a) antibody is shown to have an affinity suitable for use in immunoassay of peptide 82-91. The enzyme immunoassay procedures described help to minimise the work load involved in the preparation and characterisation of monoclonal antibodies to this protein.