Production and characterization of mouse monoclonal antibodies to allergenic epitopes on LolpI (Rye I)

This study describes the production and characterization of mouse monoclonal antibodies (Mab) to LolpI (Rye I), the major allergen of rye-grass pollen. Hybridoma cell lines were screened for the secretion of Mab, the binding of which to labelled LolpI could be inhibited by pooled human sera containing IgE and IgG anti-LolpI antibodies. Twenty monoclonal hybridoma cell lines were expanded, and their product was purified and characterized. Each Mab bound to LolpI but not to unrelated antigens. Cross-inhibition studies allowed the grouping of these 20 Mab into five families differing by their epitope specificity. One representative Mab of each family was tested for its ability to inhibit human IgE/IgG anti-Lolp-I from 15 allergic donors as well as for its inhibition by affinity-purified anti-LolpI antibodies isolated from 14 donors. The results indicated that each family of Mab was specific for an epitope that was identical or close to that recognized by some human anti-LolpI antibodies. It is further shown that human IgE/IgG anti-LolpI are heterogeneous with some patients reacting preferentially with one or two epitopes defined by the Mab LolpI, and others reacting with epitopes different from those identified by the Mab LolpI.