Flow cytometric analysis of sialyl Lewis A antigen on human cancer cells by using F(ab')2μ fragments prepared from a mouse IgM monoclonal antibody.

F(ab')2 fragments, herein designated as F(ab')2μ fragments, were prepared from a mouse IgM monoclonal antibody specific to sialyl Lewis A antigen. The fragments were applied to flow cytometry to analyze the antigen on human cancer cells. The binding of the fragments to the antigen-positive cells was stronger than that of the original IgM. The non-specific binding of the IgM antibody to the antigen-negative cells was much decreased by using the F(ab')2μ fragments. These results indicate that the F(ab')2μ fragments are more suitable than the original IgM monoclonal antibody in flow cytometric analysis.