PRODUCTION AND EVALUATION OF A MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODY AGAINST HUMAN MYELOPEROXIDASE

We describe the production of a mouse monoclonal antibody (H2E1) again st human myeloperoxidase antigen. After production and characterisatio n, this antibody was compared with commercially available monoclonal a ntibodies, cytochemical myeloperoxidase and previously produced polycl onal antibody. Reaction with various cell lines proved that this monoc lonal antibody was specific for myeloid lineage. This monoclonal showe d positivity in 81.8 per cent of acute myeloid leukaemias whereas the polyclonal antibody was 100 per cent positive. We found that the polyc lonal antibody was more sensitive as compared to the monoclonal. This is probably due to the lack of recognition of individual epitopes on t he antigen. We recommend the use of antibodies which have different ep itope recognition as most specific for myeloperoxidase.