MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES AGAINST HAMSTER AIRWAY MUCINS

In order to investigate mucin production in various pathological state s, we generated murine monoclonal antibodies (4H6, 2D11) against mucin s from bronchio-alveolar lavage fluids (BALF) of hamsters with bronchi tis caused by sulfur dioxide exposure. In the immunohistochemical stud ies, the antibodies recognized the mucins secreted into the tracheal l umen, but not the mucins stored in goblet cells or in submucosal gland mucous cells, ELISA showed that the antibodies react with mucins from hamster intestine and swine stomach, and with BALF of rats, guinea pi gs, dogs, and humans. However, the antibodies recognized neither bovin e submaxillary gland mucins nor proteoglycans. In conclusion, the ELIS A using the monoclonal antibodies is available to quantify airway muci n production.