Catabolism of radioiodinated murine monoclonal antibody F(ab')2 fragment labeled using N-succinimidyl 3-iodobenzoate and Iodogen methods.

The F(ab')2 fragment of monoclonal antibody (MAb) Me1-14 was labeled with 125I using the Iodogen method and by reaction with N-succinimidyl 3-[125I]iodobenzoate (SIB). The labeled catabolites generated after exposure to tissue homogenates in vitro and following administration of labeled F(ab')2 into normal mice were investigated by size-exclusion HPLC, gel electrophoresis, and reverse-phase HPLC. Rapid conversion of F(ab')2 to Fab was observed with both labeling methods. With F(ab')2 labeled using the Iodogen method, the primary low molecular weight catabolites appeared to be [125I]iodide and, to a lesser extent, mono[125I]iodotyrosine. With SIB, [125I]iodide and [125I]iodobenzoic acid (IBA) as well as the glycine and lysine conjugates of IBA were all observed. Differences in low molecular weight catabolic products could explain the more rapid normal tissue clearance with MAbs and MAb fragments labeled with SIB compared with those labeled using iodogen.