Monoclonal antibodies against laminin A chain and B chain in the human and mouse kidneys.

Three monoclonal antibodies against laminin A and B chains derived from mouse EHS sarcoma were isolated and designated Lam 1, Lam 2, and Lam 3. Lam 1 recognized laminin A and B chains, whereas Lam 2 and Lam 3 reacted with only A chain. By using the immunofluorescence method, three monoclonal antibodies equally stained the human skin basement membrane and Descemet's membrane of cornea. In the kidney, however, these monoclonal antibodies showed the different distribution; Lam 1 stained the glomerular basement membrane, the mesangium, Bowman's capsule, and the tubular basement membrane in the mouse kidney. In the human kidney, Lam 1 stained the mesangium very slightly bud did not stain the glomerular basement membrane. Both Lam 2 and Lam 3 stained the mesangium, Bowman's capsule, and proximal tubular basement membrane in the mouse kidney. In the human kidney, however, Lam 2 stained the mesangium and slightly stained the glomerular basement membrane, although Lam 3 stained only the mesangium. Oxidation of the kidney sections by sodium periodate changed the staining pattern of Lam 2 and Lam 3 in the human kidney, whereas it did not change the staining pattern of Lam 2 and Lam 3 in the mouse kidney.