Production of monoclonal antibodies selective for aggregation-competent chick neural retina cells. An immunosuppressive approach.

We present here a rapid means of preparing mouse monoclonal antibodies which bind selectively to aggregation-competent, embryonic chick neural retina cells. The approach couples two existing technologies: well-defined procedures for manipulating the adhesive properties of embryonic retinal cells through control of the dissociation conditions, and an immunosuppressive technique designed to reduce the immune response against unwanted 'background' antigens. This approach greatly increases the likelihood of generating monoclonal antibodies directed against cell surface molecules mediating intracellular adhesion in this tissue. Fab prepared from the combined supernates of all IgG-producing clones obtained in this manner inhibited retinal Ca2+-dependent adhesion, suggesting that at least one clone in the group was reactive with elements of the Ca2+-dependent adhesion mechanism.