Characterization and distribution in human tissues of a glycoproteic antigen defined by monoclonal antibody 1BE12 raised against the human breast cancer cell line T47D.

Spleen cells from inbred Biozzi mice, immunized against the human breast cancer cell line T47D, were fused with murine myeloma SP2O cells to generate monoclonal antibodies. One of these, 1BE12, of IgM isotype, reacted with five of six human breast tumor cell lines, while no binding was detectable with normal lymphocytes, RBC, or fibroblasts. The antigen recognized by monoclonal antibody 1BE12 was localized on the surface of T47D and MCF7 cells and was detected in cell-free supernatants of cultures. The antigen was found also on the surface of milk secretory cells. Immunohistochemical staining of frozen and paraffin-embedded sections of human tissues showed apical polarized reactivity in normal breast glands, while in all breast cancers staining was either cytoplasmic or membranous and heterogeneously distributed. Immunostaining was also observed in some other normal epithelia, including salivary gland, gastroduodenal mucosa, exocrine pancreas, and cervix. The antigen was not detectable in secretory endometrium, whereas proliferative endometrium was strongly stained. Colon carcinoma, and cancers of the bladder and endometrium were strongly reactive. No staining was detected in melanoma, lymphoma, mesothelioma, non-small cell lung carcinoma, and thyroid, renal, and ovarian carcinomas. Lectin absorption of MCF7 membrane extracts reduced 1BE12 binding. A large reduction in 1BE12 reactivity was observed after digestion of T47D and MCF7 membrane extracts with proteases. Treatment with sodium periodate resulted in complete loss of antigenicity, while neuraminidase treatment did not affect 1BE12 binding. These findings suggest that the 1BE12 epitope is expressed on the carbohydrate moiety of a glycoprotein and does not contain sialic acid. Immunoblotting of the perchloric acid-soluble fraction of MCF7 membrane extracts after electrophoresis in 1% agarose detected the antigen as a high molecular weight species (Mr greater than 900,000). The antigen was purified by perchloric acid extraction of MCF7 membrane preparations followed by affinity chromatography on 1BE12 antibody coupled to Sepharose-4B and gel exclusion fast protein liquid chromatography. No reactivity of the purified material was found with monoclonal antibodies directed against human milk fat globule membrane-associated mucins HMFG1 and DF3.