Preparation and reactivities of anti-porcine CD44 monoclonal antibodies.

Five monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) were raised against porcine soluble CD44. The MoAbs recognized the same antigen on the surface of porcine lymphocytes as was recognized by anti-human CD44 MoAb Hermes-1, but identified five different epitopes. They bound to most porcine leucocytes but not to red cells. The epitopes were susceptible to treatment with papain or bromelain, whereas trypsinization of porcine leucocytes only reduced the antigen density. The epitopes seem to be co-expressed among various lymphoid tissues. The MoAbs also cross-reacted to various degrees with leucocytes of humans, dogs, sheep, cattle, goats and horses, suggesting that the corresponding epitopes are differentially conserved among species.