SPECIFICITY OF MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES AGAINST ESCHERICHIA-COLI K-12 LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE

Three monoclonal antibodies against the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Es cherichia coli strain K-12 were obtained after immunization of BALB/c mice with heat-killed bacteria and were serologically characterized by hemagglutination, enzyme-immunoassay, Western, dot, and colony blot u sing as antigens bacteria, LPS, de-O-acylated LPS, dephosphorylated LP S, the core oligosaccharide and synthetic partial structures represent ing a di-, tri- and tetrasaccharide of the K-12 outer core region. In addition, deacylated LPS and synthetic oligosaccharides were covalentl y linked to bovine serum albumin resulting in artificial glycoconjugat e antigens. In all assays used, the antibodies were specific for K-12 LPS. These antibodies detect E. coli K-12 LPS in its isolated form as well as on the surface of bacteria and are, thus, useful for all worki ng with this microorganism.