Monoclonal antibody-detectable carbohydrate epitopes of human nasal secretions are differentially expressed in tissue and diseases

To study the differential carbohydrate expression of airway secretions, we have produced a series of monoclonal antibodies that recognize human nasal secretory cell products. Mice were immunized with purified nasal secretion from patients with chronic sinusitis (CS) and hybridomas were selected by E LISA and immunohistochemical staining of the maxillary sinus mucosa from pa tients with CS. Eighteen antibodies were obtained Antibody HCS 18 reacted w ith epithelial goblet cells, antibody HCS 4, 5 6 and 16 stained submucosal gland cells, and antibody HCS 13 and 15 reacted with epithelial goblet cell s, submucosal gland cells, and endothelial cells of vessels. The other elev en antibodies recognized epithelial goblet cells and submucosal gland cells . Cross-reactivity of these antibodies with secretory cells in other organs and in other species was determined and the different staining pattern was observed between upper and lower airway tissue, suggesting that secretory products from upper and lower airways may be different. Reactivity of the a ntibodies with nasal secretory cells was also examined in patients with per ennial allergic rhinitis (AR) and normal subjects. Antibody HCS 18 weakly r eacted with nasal glands in the tissue from CS and AR patients, bur minimal ly reacted with gland cells in normal tissue. Antibody HCS I and 7 partiall y lost their reactivity with nasal Epithelium of inferior turbinate from no rmal subjects and AR patients. These antibodies may be useful to study, nas al secretions.