INTERACTION OF ANTI-TNF-ALPHA MONOCLONAL- ANTIBODIES E7H2 WITH MUTANTAND HYBRID PROTEINS

A number of hybrid proteins containing amino acid sequences of human l ymphotoxin and human and mouse tumor necrosis factors were obtained by means of genetic engineering. By using these proteins, an antigenic d eterminant in the molecule of human tumor necrosis factor for monoclon al antibodies E7H2 (MAb E7H2), previously developed against this facto r was localized. It was demonstrated by Western blot analysis that the MAb E7H2-binding site is located in the sequence region 37-49 of huma n tumor necrosis factor and includes the sequence Val(41)GluLeuArg(44) directly interacting with MAb E7H2.