Characterization of a Novel Anti-Human HB-EGF Monoclonal Antibody Applicable for Paraffin-Embedded Tissues and Diagnosis of HB-EGF-Related Cancers

Monoclon Antib Immunodiagn Immunother. 2016 Apr;35(2):73-82. doi: 10.1089/mab.2015.0062. Epub 2016 Mar 14.

Abstract

Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a member of the EGF family of growth factors that bind to and activate the EGF receptor (EGFR/ErbB1) and ErbB4. HB-EGF plays pivotal roles in pathophysiological processes, including cancer. Thus, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for HB-EGF detection could be an important tool in the therapeutic diagnosis of HB-EGF-related cancers and other diseases. However, few mAbs, especially those applicable for immunohistochemistry (IHC), have been established to date. In this study, we generated a clone of hybridoma-derived mAb 2-108 by immunizing mice with recombinant human HB-EGF protein expressed by human cells. The mAb 2-108 specifically bound to human HB-EGF but not to mouse HB-EGF and was successful in immunoblotting, even under reducing conditions, immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence for unfixed as well as paraformaldehyde-fixed cells. Notably, this mAb was effective in IHC of paraffin-embedded tumor specimens. Epitope mapping analysis showed that mAb 2-108 recognized the N-terminal prodomain in HB-EGF. These results indicate that this new anti-HB-EGF mAb 2-108 would be useful in the diagnosis of HB-EGF-related cancers and would be a strong tool in both basic and clinical research on HB-EGF.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / immunology*
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / isolation & purification
  • Epitope Mapping
  • ErbB Receptors / immunology
  • ErbB Receptors / isolation & purification
  • Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor / immunology*
  • Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Paraffin

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • HBEGF protein, human
  • Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • Paraffin
  • ErbB Receptors