Preparation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies directed against antigenic determinants of recombinant human tumour necrosis factor (rTNF).

A large number of monoclonal antibodies (McAb) binding to antigenic determinants of human tumour necrosis factor (TNF) were prepared from two fusions of mouse myeloma NSO cells with spleen cells from Balb/c mice immunized with highly purified recombinant (r)TNF. Several of these McAbs were highly neutralizing with respect to the biological activity (cytotoxicity) of TNF manifested in L-929 C1.10 cells. Antibody competition experiments suggested the presence of at least two antigenic determinants on the rTNF molecule through which binding of McAb effects neutralization of biological activity. Some of these McAbs were shown to be suitable for the development of immunoassays to quantify rTNF.