Production and characterization of monoclonal antibody to a 60-kD glycoprotein in ovarian carcinoma.

Monoclonal IgG1 antibodies 2C8 and 2F7, derived by immunization of mice with a glycoprotein-enriched fraction of human ovarian adenocarcinoma, recognized a 60 kD glycoprotein in the ovarian tumor but not in normal ovary. Survey of other normal adult tissues by an indirect solid-phase radioimmunoassay (RIA) revealed the presence of the antigen in trace amounts in various normal organs such as small intestine, liver colon and urinary bladder, except in lung where its concentration was as high as in tumors. Among fetal tissues tested, intestine and placenta had the highest activities. By RIA, about 50% of ovarian and colonic tumors had elevated levels of the antigen. All ovarian cyst fluids, both benign as well as malignant, also contained a high level of the antigen. Immunodepletion studies indicated that the antigen was distinct from carcinoembryonic antigen and the ovarian cancer antigens described in our laboratory with other monoclonal antibodies. The antigen bound to Con A-Sepharose and was eluted with 2% alpha-D-mannoside, was soluble in 0.6 M perchloric acid and stable at 100 degrees C for 30 min. The antigenic activity in isolated plasma membrane enriched fractions of ovarian adenocarcinomas was sensitive to trypsin, chymotrypsin or protease treatment but unaffected by neuraminidase, beta-galactosidase, periodate or methanol treatment. By immunoperoxidase staining, the antigen was localized in a variety of human tumors showing widespread distribution.