Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against specific serotypes of Mycobacterium avium and the Mycobacterium avium-Mycobacterium intracellulare-Mycobacterium scrofulaceum complex.

Serotype-specific and Mycobacterium avium-Mycobacterium intracellulare-Mycobacterium scrofulaceum complex (MAIS complex)-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were prepared. A series of MAbs were obtained, five specific for serotype 2, three specific for serotype 4, eight against a strain of serotype 19, two specific for the MAIS complex, and two against a common glycolipid shared by all the mycobacteria tested so far. The serotype-specific and the MAIS complex-specific MAbs reacted in immunofluorescence with intact mycobacteria and in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immuno-thin-layer chromatography with lipid extracts of mycobacteria. The two MAbs against a common mycobacterial glycolipid reacted only in lipid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immuno-thin-layer chromatography. All MAbs were directed against glycopeptidolipids (GPLs), except for four MAbs against proteins of serotype 19. The serotype- and MAIS complex-specific epitopes on GPLs are exposed on the mycobacterial cell wall, in contrast with the common mycobacterial glycolipid, which is probably located inside the cell wall. The serotype-specific MAbs reacted with native as well as deacetylated GPLs, in contrast with the MAIS complex-specific MAbs, which reacted only with native GPLs. The MAbs will be useful for the identification of MAIS complex and M. avium serotypes 2 and 4 and a strain of serotype 19, GPL analyses with immuno-thin-layer chromatography, and the localization of GPL epitopes in mycobacteria.