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Cell surface glycoproteins of human tumor cell lines (melanomas and astrocytomas, and ovarian, bladder, stomach, cervical, laryngeal, and renal cancers) were studied by labelling with 1) neuraminidase-galactose oxidase-[3H]borohydride, 2) galactose oxidase-[3H]borohydride, and 3) dilute periodate-[3H]borohydride. The labeled components were examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. Each tumor type had a distinctive pattern of labeled glycoproteins when the results from both procedures 1 and 2 were considered. Cell surface glycoproteins of malignant melanoma could not be labeled by procedure 2, whereas the other cell lines had at least two major glycoproteins that could be labeled by this method. Very similar profiles of melanoma glycoproteins were labeled by procedures 1 and 3. From these results the conclusion was reached that cell surface glycoproteins of melanomas are substituted with sialic acid so that their D-galactose and/or N-acetyl-D-galactosamine residues are available for oxidation by galactose oxidase only after neuraminidase treatment. An alternative explanation that these sugars are sterically accessible to galactose oxidase only after neuraminidase treatment also has to be considered. All melanoma lines studied were characterized by having two major cell surface glycoproteins with molecular weights of 110,000 and 90,000, respectively. Lines, however, varied considerably in their expression of other components. In particular, heterogeneity was shown in the expression of gp220, a component identified as fibronectin by immunoprecipitation with a specific antiserum, and in the expression of gp37/32, a pair of glycoproteins having the characteristics of la-like antigens. Of the other cell lines studied, astrocytomas most closely resembled melanoma in their glycoprotein profiles. The brain tumors, however, had two or three glycoproteins, including gp110, which could be labeled by galactose oxidase-[3H]borohydride without neuraminidase treatment.

A panel of 7 mouse monoclonal antibodies and the lectin from Ulex europeus, detecting blood-group-related antigens of the ABH and Lewis systems, have been used to define the distribution of these antigenic structures within the human gastrointestinal tract, and to characterize their expression and modulation in colorectal carcinomas. The reagents employed detect the following blood-group specificities: A (all variants), B, H (type 2), Lewisa, Lewisb, X (Lewisx), Y (Lewisy) and type 1 precursor chain. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrate that these antigens are differentially expressed in various cell types and developmental stages of the human gastrointestinal tract. ABH expression undergoes developmental modulation in the human colorectal tract from positive to negative during embryogenesis, and is lost in adult cells. Colorectal tumors exhibit neosynthesis of ABH specificities that appear in tumor cells, and accumulation of the precursor antigens. They also show increased expression of Lewis antigens, especially Y determinant, which has a restricted pattern of distribution in normal tissues and is not found in normal colonic mucosa. Enhancement of the Lewis antigens is observed in all colorectal tumors analyzed, regardless of blood-group type and secretory status of the individuals studied. Tumor modulation of these antigens may be related to activation of suppressed genes and enhancement of fucosyltransferases.

After the observation that human mAb 32-27M reacts only with melanoma and astrocytoma cells cultured in the presence of fetal bovine serum, a novel pathway for the uptake of exogenous gangliosides, their further biosynthesis, and expression at the cell surface as novel Ag has been elucidated. The addition of fetal bovine serum to melanoma and astrocytoma cells growing in synthetic medium (insulin-transferrin-selenium) resulted in reactivity with Ab32-27M. As antibody 32-27M detects N-glycolylneuraminic acid (NeuGc)-containing gangliosides, the effect of adding a number of different gangliosides to melanoma and astrocytoma cells cultured in the synthetic medium was studied. Only the addition of NeuGc-GM3 resulted in the development of Ab32-27M reactivity. The identity of the antigenic structures developed after addition of fetal bovine serum or NeuGc-GM3 was determined by analysis of the gangliosides from both samples. The major component detected in melanoma cell lines was shown to be N-acetylneuraminic acid-NeuGc-GD3. Another, slower moving component, present in some melanomas and in astrocytomas may be N-acetylneuraminic acid-NeuGc-GD2. The cell type specificity for these processes can be most readily explained by postulating that all cells can take up exogenous gangliosides but only melanoma and astrocytoma cells have sufficiently high levels of GM3 alpha 2----8-sialyltransferase for the conversion of added NeuGc-GM3 to disialogangliosides to be effective. These results demonstrate a novel pathway for exogenous glycolipid processing that can lead to novel Ag expression but may also play a role in normal glycolipid metabolism and function.

We have previously reported the identification and characterization of two related human cell surface protein complexes, very common antigens 1 and 2 (VCA-1, VCA-2) (Kantor, R. R. S., Mattes, M. J., Lloyd, K. O., Old, L. J., and Albino, A. P. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 15158-15165). We now report the transfection of DNA sequences encoding the 170-kilodalton heterodimer of VCA-2 from human SK-RC-41 renal cancer cells to B78H1 mouse melanoma cells. B78H1 cells were cotransfected with high molecular weight renal cancer DNA and a plasmid vector containing the neomycin resistance gene. Antibiotic-resistant transfectants were screened for the expression of the 170-kDa heterodimer with mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb) J143. Analysis of mAb J143-positive (J143+) transfectants showed that they expressed a 170-kDa heterodimer with an identical molecular weight, isoelectric point, two-dimensional peptide map, and spatial orientation of surface-exposed epitopes to the homologous 170-kDa species seen in human donor cells. The 170-kDa heterodimer in SK-RC-41 cells is associated with a 140-kDa (designated 140(1] polypeptide to form the VCA-2 complex. The 170-kDa complex and the 140(1)-kDa polypeptides are encoded by genes located on different human chromosomes. J143+ transfectants display a molecule of 140 kDa associated with the 170-kDa complex which is biochemically similar, but non-identical, to the human 140(1)-kDa polypeptide on VCA-2. This evidence supports our interpretation that the transfected human 170-kDa heterodimer associates with a murine counterpart of the human 140(1)-kDa polypeptide in J143+ transfectants.

Pigmentation-associated antigen (PAA) or gp75 is a glycoprotein localized to the melanosomes of human melanomas and melanocytes to which a mouse monoclonal antibody (AbTA99) has been produced (T. M. Thomson et al. (1985) J. Invest. Dermatol. 85, 169). Treatment of 3H-labeled immunoprecipitated melanoma PAA with alkaline-borohydride, hydrazinolysis, or N-glycanase released three families of carbohydrate chains (I, II, and III). Peak I consists of a major component (Ia) of sialylated triantennary N-linked chains which are partially substituted with fucose on terminal positions as well as on the chitobiose core and a minor component (Ib) which is a sialylated biantennary N-linked species. Peak II was not well characterized but may be a monoantennary complex chain species. Peak III consists of typical N-linked high mannose units with six to seven mannose residues. Melanocyte PAA carbohydrate chains have the same general features as melanoma PAA except that the biantennary complex chain predominates; this difference resembles that observed between the cell surface glycopeptides of transformed animal cells and their nontransformed counterparts. The glycosylation characteristics of this melanosomal glycoprotein are compared with those of glycoproteins from endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, and lysosomes, and with tyrosinase. It is suggested that the glycosylation pattern is a reflection of the biosynthetic origin and cellular destination of a particular organelle and its constituents.

Four different human epithelial differentiation antigens (MT179, MW162, MW207, and MX35) have been defined by mouse monoclonal antibodies obtained from mice immunized with either an ovarian carcinoma cell line or fresh ovarian carcinoma cells. In an attempt to identify tissue-specific antigens restricted to ovarian epithelial cells, sections of a benign ovarian cyst were used as the initial target for screening hybridoma supernatants. The distribution of the antigens detected by these monoclonal antibodies was determined on frozen sections of 24 normal tissues and on 103 cultured cell lines of various histological types. In spite of the method used to select these monoclonal antibodies, they all reacted to some degree with normal epithelial cells in tissues other than ovary. All antibodies were unreactive with nonepithelial cells in frozen sections. These antibodies also reacted with frozen sections of most or all fresh ovarian carcinomas and benign ovarian cysts. All antibodies were unreactive with ABH, Lewis blood group-related antigens and appeared to be different in specificity from previously described well-characterized antigens of ovarian carcinoma cells. MW162 was characterized as a high-molecular-weight mucin-like molecule, and the determinant recognized is probably carbohydrate in nature. MW207 was identified as a Mr 37,000 protein. These monoclonal antibodies and 24 other previously derived antibodies that react with epithelial differentiation antigens were tested for reactivity with the surface of fresh ovarian carcinoma ascites cells and for nonreactivity with normal mesothelial cells. This assay was designed to select monoclonal antibodies that might be effective agents for i.p. therapy or radioimmunodetection of human ovarian carcinoma. Five antibodies with the desired specificity were selected; these were the four new antibodies described herein and MH99, which was characterized previously and recognizes a glycoprotein having Mr 38,000 and 29,000 subunits. The degree of heterogeneity of antigen expression on ascites carcinoma cell was dependent on the particular antigen being examined and was related to the biochemical nature of the antigen. In particular, most ABH and Lewis blood group-related antigens showed a striking degree of heterogeneity.

Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis has been used to compare the Nonidet P-40 soluble, [3H]glucosamine-labeled glycoproteins of human kidney cancer cell lines and short-term cultures of normal kidney epithelia. Two pairs of autologous combinations of tumor and normal cells and also six other cancer lines and four normal cultures were examined. Because autologous cells could be compared, possible differences due to allogeneic variations could be eliminated. The electrophoretic patterns given by tumor and normal cells were extremely similar. Nevertheless, more than 10 differences could be recognized when randomly selected combinations of cancer and normal cells were examined in detail. Of these differences, however, only one was consistently found in all possible combinations of cancer and normal cells. Cancer cells had three prominent components of molecular weight 27,500 and pIs of 5.7, 5.3, and 4.9, respectively. Normal cells have a fainter and different constellation of spots in this region, with the more acid component (pI 4.9) being absent (or barely detectable). The pattern of fetal kidney cells resembled that given by normal adult kidney.

The differential reactivity of four mouse monoclonal antibodies (AbCB, AbHT29-36, AbM2, and AbS12) and Dolichos biflorus lectin with A1 and A2 erythrocytes was analyzed. Only AbS12 and D. biflorus lectin were able to preferentially agglutinate A1 erythrocytes. AbS12 is known to react only with short chain, unbranched structures (such as Aa-2 and Ab-2 glycolipids) and not with longer chains or with type 3 and type 4 structures. D. biflorus was shown to have a similar specificity by lectin staining of glycolipids separated by thin-layer chromatography. Analysis of the binding of radiolabeled AbCB and AbS12 to A1 and A2 erythrocytes by Scatchard analysis showed that, whereas the former antibody recognizes high-affinity sites on both A1 and A2 cells, AbS12 reacts with high-affinity sites only on A1 cells. Because A1 and A2 erythrocytes have a similar complement of short chain type 2 glycolipids, although in different amounts, it is suggested that AbS12 and D. biflorus lectin differentiate between the two cell types on the basis of quantitative, nonstructural features. This is in contrast to AbTH1, which reacts with a repetitive A epitope (type 3 A chain) and distinguishes between A1 and A2 cells based on the preferential expression of type 3 A chains in A1 erythrocytes. Thus, two views of A1/A2, i.e., qualitative vs quantitative are correct, depending on the properties of the reagent being used to distinguish between the two cell types.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) base composition, as measured by guanine plus cytosine (G + C) content, was determined in 17 strains of Sporothrix schenckii and Ceratocystis species. The average G + C content for S. schenckii was 54.7 +/- 0.2 mol%. No strain of Ceratocystis, with the exception of C. minor, gave values for G + C content similar to those obtained for S. schenckii. All DNA samples from strains of S. schenckii cross-hybridized with high percentages of relative binding. DNA samples from C. stenoceras and C. pilifera showed low degrees of homology with S. schenckii DNA. The DNA from C. minor hybridized with 75% binding with that from a strain of S. schenckii, as compared with the homologous reaction.

Mouse monoclonal antibodies were obtained by immunization with cultured human bladder cancer or lysates of bladder papilloma. They identify 11 distinct antigenic systems as defined by serological analysis of cultured cells and studies of antigen distribution in normal and neoplastic tissues. The most restricted of these antigens, Om5, defines a subset of bladder tumors. Om5 is not detected in normal bladder urothelium or in any other normal or malignant tissue. T101 and JP165 are also subset markers for bladder cancer that are not detected in normal tissues. T16, T43, T87, and J143 (antigens represented on many cultured cells) are found in specific areas of the normal urinary tract and in a distinctive range of other normal and malignant cell types--e.g., T16 expression in pluristratified epithelium of skin, exocervix, and esophagus. T138 antigen is also a common feature of cultured cell lines, but its expression in sections of normal tissues is restricted to endothelial cells. In contrast, T110 is poorly represented on cultured cells but can be detected in culture supernatants. Localization of T110 in normal tissues showed that it is a component of the extracellular matrix. All determinants detected by this series of antibodies are heat labile and not related to A, B, H, I, Lewis blood group antigens. Six of the antibodies immunoprecipitated glycoproteins from radiolabeled cell lysates: AbT16 (Mrs 48,000 and 42,000), AbT87 (Mr 60,000), AbT43 (Mr 85,000), AbJ143 (Mr 140,000, 120,000, 60,000), AbT43 (Mr 85,000), AbJ143 (Mr 140,000, 120,000, and 30,000), and AbT110 (Mr 240,000).

Human malignant melanoma cell lines were found to bear Ia-like cell surface determinants demonstrable by hetero- or alloantisera and by direct identification of the characteristic bimolecular glycoprotein complex. Immunoprecipitation confirmed the presence of Ia determinants on the bimolecular complex. The quantity of Ia molecules determined by these methods and by absorption experiments was relatively constant for each cell line. Among different lines, however, the amount of Ia antigens ranged from a level equal to that expressed by B-cell lines to a small fraction of this amount. This variation in level of Ia contrasted with the more uniform amount of beta2-microglobulin detected on the cell surface. The Ia alloantigen specificity DRw2 was the most frequently encountered specificity. Ia determinants were also found on the surface of an epidermoid carcinoma line, but not on various other cell lines of normal or neoplastic origin.

The specificity of five mouse monoclonal anti-A blood group antibodies (Ab), four of which were produced by immunization with cultured human cancer cells and one with a synthetic antigen, has been determined by examining their reactivity with purified A glycolipids, erythrocyte glycolipids, oligosaccharides, ovarian cyst glycoproteins, and salivary glycoproteins. Two of the antibodies (HT29-36 and CB) reacted with all A variant structures tested and have a broad anti-A reactivity. Ab CLH6 did not agglutinate A erythrocytes and reacted preferentially with the type 1A structure. Ab S12 agglutinated all A1 erythrocytes and reacted best with simple, monofucosyl type 2 A structures, such as Aa-2, Ab-2, and A tetrasaccharide. Ab M2 has a novel, but complex, spectrum of reactivity. It reacts with type 3 and type 4 A chains and not with type 1 and type 2 A chains. It appears to recognize both an external A structure (formula; see text) (I) (found) in type 3 and type 4 chains) and also an internal structure (II) found in type 3 chains. Ab M2 agglutinates all A and AB erythrocytes but does not react with salivary glycoproteins.

The proton and (13)C magnetic resonance (CMR) spectra of 10 Sporothrix schenckii and three Ceratocystis stenoceras rhamnomannans were studied. On the basis of their CMR spectra, the rhamnomannans from S. schenckii strains could be classified into two major types, I and II, readily distinguishable from the polysaccharides formed at the same temperature (25 C) by C. stenoceras. Rhamnomannans from S. schenckii synthesized at 37 C gave CMR spectra (type III) differing from those of polysaccharides of types I and II and from those of C. stenoceras polysaccharides. The contention that C. stenoceras might be the perfect form of S. schenckii is not supported by the present data. A presumptive pathogenic mutant of C. stenoceras synthesized a type I rhamnomannan characteristic of S. schenckii, clearly differing from the rhamnomannans from C. stenoceras synthesized in the same conditions. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed differences in the structures of the polysaccharides from these species not previously recognized by methylation analysis.

Binding parameters were determined for four mouse monoclonal antibodies reacting with three antigens on the surface of fresh human ovarian carcinoma ascites cells, under nearly physiological conditions. The object of these experiments was to aid in the selection of the optimal monoclonal antibodies for intraperitoneal immunotherapy. The number of antigenic sites per cell, the effective equilibrium association constant (affinity) and the half-life for dissociation were: for Ab MH99, 1.2 x 10(6) sites/cell, (1.9-4.1) x 10(8) M-1, and 4 h; for Ab MX35, (3.2-4.1) x 10(5) sites/cell, (3.4-4.8) x 10(8) M-1, and greater than 10 h; and for Ab MW207, 1.3 x 10(5) sites/cell, (3.6-4.1) x 10(9) M-1, and 3.1 h, respectively. One of the antigens, MH99, is recognized by five different monoclonal antibodies, and competitive inhibition experiments demonstrated that two distinct determinants are present; this antigen is also recognized by the previously described Ab 17-1A. These binding data will aid the rational design of immunotherapy strategies.

Serological and immunopathological analysis of the expression of Lea, Leb, X, and Y blood group antigens on cell lines and tissues was performed using a panel of mouse monoclonal antibodies. The distribution of the antigens was determined on 155 malignant tumor cell lines of various types and 10 short term cultures of normal fibroblasts and kidney cells. Among colon cancers, all four blood group antigens were expressed on the majority of cell lines. On lung, breast, bladder, and ovarian cancer cell lines, X and Y antigens were the main specificities found, whereas few of the renal and hematopoietic tumor cell lines demonstrated any of the four blood group antigens. No blood group antigens could be detected on astrocytoma or melanoma cell lines. The expression of the antigens was also analyzed on frozen sections of colon carcinoma and adjacent normal colon tissue from 42 patients using the immunoperoxidase method. Lea and X were detected throughout the normal colon and on most colonic tumors. In poorly differentiated colon cancer and in metastatic cancer, decrease of Lea antigen was observed. Leb and Y expression was observed in only 20-45% of normal tissue samples but in almost all colonic carcinoma tissues. A selected number of tumor and normal specimens from patients whose secretor status was known were examined in more detail. Both the staining of the tissues and the reactivity of blood group glycolipids from the same specimens were determined. These studies confirmed the above findings and demonstrated the unexpected ability of tumors of nonsecretors to express Leb and/or Y antigens. In such individuals, in whom the expression of Leb and Y antigens in normal tissues is absent or minimal, these antigens provide possible targets for immunodiagnosis and therapy.

Monoclonal antibody (MAb) R24 was previously shown to be directed toward ganglioside GD3 [Pukel, C. S., Lloyd, K. O., Travassos, L. R., Dippold, W. G., Oettgen, H. F., and Old, L. J. (1982) J. Exp. Med. 155, 1133-1147]. The structural specificity of the MAb has now been further characterized based on binding to structurally related glycolipids, including four GD3 derivatives with different N-acetylneuraminic acid (NeuAc) and N-glycolylneuraminic acid (NeuGc) substituents. Three assay systems (enzyme immunostaining on thin-layer chromatography, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immune adherence inhibition assay) were used. MAb R24 was found to react with (NeuAc-NeuAc-)GD3 and (NeuAc-NeuGc-)GD3 but not with (NeuGc-NeuAc-)GD3 or (NeuGc-NeuGc-)GD3. These results clearly indicate that the outer sialic acid (Sia) moiety of GD3 is crucial and must be a NeuAc residue, while the inner sialic acid is less involved in binding to the MAb and can be either NeuAc or NeuGc. The MAb was also found to cross-react weakly with two gangliosides, GT1a and GQ1b, but none of other gangliosides nor neutral glycolipids tested reacted. These findings suggest that the epitope detected by MAb R24 is the trisaccharide structure NeuAc alpha 2----8Sia alpha 2----3Gal-, which must be in a terminal position.

Antisera were prepared in rabbits against the human pathogenic yeast Sporothrix schenckii (strain 1099.12) grown at two different temperatures (25 degrees and 37 degrees). Precipitation and inhibition data showed that the former serum had a specificity directed against alpha-L-Rhap-(1 yields 2)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1 yields 3)-D-Man-(1 yields determinants, whereas the latter had a broad specificity in which alpha-L-rhamnosyl or alpha-L-Rhap-(1 yields 3)-D-Man- was the immunodominant structure. These results are consistent with data on the structures of the L-rhamno-D-mannans isolated from the organism grown at the two different temperatures. Human sera from patients with sporotrichosis were shown to have different specificities resembling the specificities developed in the rabbits. The rabbit antisera were also used to examine the cross-reactivity with L-rhamno-D-mannans from species of the genus Ceratocystis, which is reputed to include the ascigerous (perfect) state of S. schenckii. Polysaccharides from four species of Ceratocystis grown at 25 degrees reacted with the antisera in a manner resembling that of the L-rhamno-D-mannan from S. schenckii grown at 37 degrees. This is in accord with earlier data that showed that only S. schenckii, of the species studied, produces a polysaccharide with large amounts of alpha-L-Rhap-(1 yields 2)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1 yields side-chains when grown at 25 degrees.

Four mouse monoclonal antibodies to widely distributed human cell surface antigens are described. The AJ2 antigen is one of the immunodominant antigens in mice immunized with human cells, as demonstrated by testing conventional mouse antisera. This antigen has four subunits having molecular weights (MW) of 170 kD, 140 kD, 140 kD, and 28 kD when immunoprecipitated from the immunizing cell line, an astrocytoma. With other cell lines the molecular weights and subunit composition varies, but the major component is always of MW 125-140 kD. The antigen was detected on all human tissue culture cells and on sections of all normal human tissues tested. Antibody MA99 detects the same antigenic complex but shows a slightly different pattern of reactivity with cell lines and tissues. The MA103 antigen has a similar ubiquitous distribution. It is a glycoprotein of MW 50-55 kD and the determinant detected is not denatured by treatment at 100 degrees C. MH99, the third common antigen detected, has two glycosylated subunits with MW of 29 kD and 38 kD. It is present on a subpopulation of tumor cell lines of most histologic types except that it is absent or weakly expressed on melanomas and astrocytomas. MH99 is present on some T lymphomas and leukemias and myeloid leukemias but was not detected on B lymphomas, null cell lymphomas and myelomas. It was detected preferentially on epithelial cells in tissue sections.

Human melanoma cells express high levels of GM3 and GD3 gangliosides whereas normal melanocytes have only low levels of GD3 but maintain their expression of GM3. In order to understand the basis for this difference, the levels of the sialyltransferase that converts GM3 to GD3 (CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid:GM3 sialyltransferase or GD3 synthase, EC 2.4.99.8) were analyzed in melanoma and other cell lines. Enzyme levels were determined in vitro using membrane preparations and measuring the addition of [14C]-N-acetylneuraminic acid from CMP-[14C]-N-acetylneuraminic acid to GM3 in the presence of Triton CF-54. Sialyltransferase levels in 44 human cancer cell lines (including melanoma, neuroblastoma, astrocytoma, various carcinomas, and leukemias) and cultures of normal melanocytes and kidney epithelial cells were compared, and the products were identified by thin layer chromatography and fluorography. Melanoma cell lines exhibited the highest levels of incorporation and GD3 was found to be the major product. GM3 was also formed, apparently from endogenous lactosylceramide. Very low levels of GD3 synthase were found in normal melanocytes. Neuroblastoma and some astrocytoma cell lines also had significant levels of GD3 synthase. Some other cell lines incorporated high levels of radioactivity but the products did not correspond to GD3 and the major product was usually GM3. In general the levels of GD3 synthase correlated with the expression of GD3 in the various cell types. These results point to higher levels of GD3 synthase being directly responsible for the enhanced expression of GD3 in melanoma.

A number of gangliosides were isolated from cat and sheep erythrocytes for use in analyzing the specificity of a panel of human anti-heterophile monoclonal antibodies. The structures of these compounds were determined by a combination of different procedures, including sugar analysis, glycosidase treatment, periodate oxidation, TLC immunostaining, methylation analysis, and mass spectrometry. These methods identified the cat erythrocytes gangliosides (C1 and C2) as N-glycolylneuraminic acid (NeuGc)-containing hematosides; C1 was shown to be NeuGc alpha 2----8NeuGc alpha 2----3Gal beta I----4Glc-Cer [NeuGc)2GD3) and C2 to be NeuAc alpha 2----8NeuGc alpha 2----3Gal beta 1----4Glc-Cer [NeuAc-NeuGc-)GD3). The two sheep gangliosides (S1 and S2) were found to be novel glycolipids based on the paragloboside sequence; S1 was identified as NeuGc alpha 2----8NeuGc alpha 2----3Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----3Gal beta 1----4Glc-Cer [NeuGc)2-disialylparagloboside) and S2 as NeuAc alpha 2----8NeuGc alpha 2----3Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----3Gal beta 1----4Glc-Cer [NeuAc-NeuGc-)-disialylparagloboside). Structural analysis of these compounds was aided by the use of 252Cf fission fragment ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. This method provided easily interpretable spectra on methylated derivatives which were particularly useful in determining the sialic acid composition of the gangliosides and the sequence of their disialosyl side chains.

Seven mouse monoclonal antibodies and the lectin Ulex europaeus, detecting blood group related antigens of the ABH and Lewis systems, have been used to determine the immunophenotype of human renal cell carcinomas. Immunohistochemical analyses have demonstrated that these antigenic systems are differentially expressed by distinct normal cell types and domains of the human nephron. In the present study we analyzed the immunophenotype of 29 primary and 15 metastatic renal carcinomas by the immunoperoxidase method. Blood type was known in all of the cases and secretor status in nine cases. ABH specificities were not detected in tumor cells of the primary tumors studied, although two of the metastases showed heterogeneous expression of H and A antigens, respectively. Lewisx (Lex) determinant was detected in 76% of primary renal cell carcinomas; however, Lex was only expressed by occasional cells in 20% of the metastatic tumors analyzed. Lewisa (Lea) was detected with a heterogeneous pattern of expression in 31% of the primary and 26% of the metastatic renal tumors studied. Lewisy (Ley) antigen expression was found in 17% of the primary and 20% of the metastatic tumors analyzed. Detection of precursor type 1 structure was observed in 28% of primary and 20% of metastatic renal cell carcinomas. The present study suggests the histogenesis of renal cell carcinoma in the proximal nephron, based on the expression of Lex and Lea antigens. It also shows: (a) an apparent deletion, downregulation or structural modification of Lex determinant in most of the metastatic tumors; (b) undetectable levels of ABH specificities in tumor cells of primary renal cell carcinoma; and (c) enhanced expression and/or neosynthesis of precursor type 1 structure and Ley determinant in some renal cell carcinomas.

Lymph-node lymphocytes of a patient with stomach cancer were fused with the mouse-human heterohybridoma, HM-5. A clone (2F9) was isolated that showed stable production of an IgM antibody reactive with NUGC-4 stomach cancer cell line. This antibody reacted predominantly with a cell surface antigen on cell lines originating from gastro-intestinal cancer and adenocarcinoma of lung, whereas it was not generally reactive with other types of cancers, or with normal kidney cells or fibroblasts. Biotin-labeled 2F9 antibody clearly stained cell smears and the nude mouse tumor of NUGC-4, but it did not show a positive reaction with stomach cancer tissues obtained from more than 10 patients, indicating that the antigen detected is very weakly expressed on tumor cells or on a limited number of stomach cancers. The antigen shed from NUGC-4 cell line was detected in the culture supernatant. 2F9 antibody precipitated a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of over 200 kilodaltons as well as a possible glycolipid, from NUGC-4 cells labeled with [3H]glucosamine or [35S]-H2SO4. Periodic acid treatment of the tissue section decreased reactivity with 2F9 antibody, but heat, neuraminidase or protease treatment did not. These results suggested that the epitope is present on a carbohydrate moiety not containing sialic acid, and that a part of the antigen molecule is sulfated.

Epithelial surface antigen (ESA) is a glycoprotein with a distribution in vivo that is largely confined to human epithelial cells. Previous studies using a mouse monoclonal antibody (MH99) detecting ESA had shown that the antigen immunoprecipitated from most epithelial cancer cell lines has two chains (38,000 and 32,000 Da) when separated under reducing conditions and only one (38,000 Da) under nonreducing conditions. We now show that the 38-kDa band observed under nonreducing conditions consists of two species, one a 38-kDa single chain protein and the other a disulfide-linked dimer consisting of the 32-kDa chain bonded to a previously unrecognized 6-kDa chain. Pulse-chase studies have shown that ESA is synthesized as a 34-kDa protein which is glycosylated to a 38-kDa glycoprotein containing both high mannose and complex carbohydrate chains. With longer chase periods, a 32-kDa species also appears. Peptide mapping, together with the pulse-chase data, suggests that the 32- and 6-kDa species are formed from the 38-kDa protein, probably by limited proteolysis. Epithelial cell lines differ in their ratios of 38/32-kDa species, some cell lines having only the 38-kDa form. Incubation of radiolabeled extracts of cells having only the 38-kDa protein with unlabeled extracts of the other cell types resulted in progressive conversion of the 38-kDa species to the 32- and 6-kDa forms. Only cell lines expressing both forms of ESA are able to carry out this cleavage of the 38-kDa protein. This is a novel mechanism for generating cell-type related differences in cell surface glycoprotein expression. Finally, sequential immunoprecipitation experiments showed that the antigen detected by Ab MH99 is closely related or identical to that detected by Ab 17-1A, a previously described colon cancer antigen.

Serum antibodies from melanoma patient FD were previously shown to detect a unique antigenic specificity (FD) expressed only on the autologous tumor cells (SK-MEL-131) in culture. The FD determinant is carried by a Mr 90,000 glycoprotein (gp90) that binds to concanavalin A but not to lentil lectin or wheat germ agglutinin. After treatment with endo-N-acetylglucosaminidase H, the antigen no longer bound to concanavalin A. These and other properties indicate the gp90 carries mainly high mannose or hybrid N-linked carbohydrate chains. gp90 was partially purified from a detergent-solubilized membrane preparation by chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose, hydroxylapatite, chelating Sepharose, and lectin-agarose columns. Two-dimensional electrophoresis of the final preparation revealed three major components, one of which was identified as the FD antigen since it was specifically removed by precipitation with serum from patient FD. Immunization with the partially purified antigen preparation elicited anti-gp90 antibodies in two of four mice as demonstrated by sequential radioimmunoprecipitation experiments. Absorption experiments demonstrated that the mouse antibodies could, unlike human FD serum, be absorbed by a number of different cell types. Based on these results it is proposed that gp90 in SK-MEL-131 cells has two distinct epitopes, one, unique, detected by autologous FD serum, and another, common epitope or epitopes, detected by the polyclonal mouse sera. The common epitope(s) is present on gp90 in a variety of cells, including allogeneic melanomas and FD-B cells. These findings, which are compared with those on mouse tumor rejection antigens, have clear implications for the understanding of the nature of tumor antigens.

Analysis of antibodies present in the serum of melanoma patient FD has shown that they detect a unique tumor epitope present only on the autologous melanoma cell line SK-MEL-131. Previous results had shown that the unique FD epitope is carried on a common glycoprotein of approximately 90 kD, widely expressed on melanoma and a few other cell types. We now show by sequential radioimmunoprecipitation and partial amino acid sequencing that this common molecule is a previously recognized melanoma antigen, originally identified by mouse mAbs, designated gp95 or p97 (and also known as melanotransferrin). Thus, FD is the first of the class I (unique) melanoma antigens that has been characterized and related to a known cell surface molecule.

The antigen recognized by a mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb S27) raised against a human renal cancer cell line has been identified as the adenosine deaminase binding protein. mAb S27 immunoprecipitates binding protein purified from a soluble fraction of human kidney. It also recognizes the mature 120,000-dalton membrane form of binding protein from [35S]methionine-labeled human fibroblasts, HepG2 cells, and the renal cancer cell line against which the antibody was raised. A rabbit polyclonal antibody raised against purified kidney binding protein completely precipitates mAb S27-reactive material from labeled membrane extracts. mAb S27 does not precipitate the initially synthesized 110,000 molecular weight precursor of binding protein in fibroblasts and recognizes only a small portion of binding protein precursor in labeled HepG2 cells suggesting that the antigenic determinant recognized by mAb S27 may be a post-translational modification present on the mature form of binding protein or that mAb S27 recognizes molecules in a certain conformation. Glycopeptides derived from purified soluble kidney binding protein or exogenously added adenosine deaminase do not inhibit the immunoprecipitation of binding protein by mAb S27, indicating that the mature oligosaccharide chains of binding protein are not the determinant recognized by mAb S27 and that bound adenosine deaminase does not mask the antigenic sites on binding protein. The fact that monoclonal antibody S27, previously shown (Ueda, R., Ogata, S., Morissey, D. M., Finstad, C. L., Szkudlavek, J., Whitmore, W. F., Oettgen, H. F., Lloyd, K. O., and Old, L. J. (1981) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 78, 5122-5126) to detect a cell surface antigen on cultured renal cancer cells, is directed against the adenosine deaminase binding protein confirms and extends the earlier observation (Andy, R.J., and Kornfeld, R. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 7922-7925) that binding protein is located on the cell surface.

Human malignant melanoma cell lines have been divided into three broad groups on the basis of morphology, pigmentation, tyrosinase levels, the 2-dimensional electrophoretic patterns of their [3H]glucosamine-labeled glycoproteins and the presence or absence of an extracellular matrix of fibronectin. The most pigmented cell lines were characterized by the synthesis of a novel glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 75,000 and the absence of a fibronectin matrix. As cultured skin melanocytes also had these characteristics, this group of melanomas appears to be the most differentiated. Melanoma cell lines in the amelanotic group were characterized by the synthesis of high levels of HLA-DR antigen and by the production of an extracellular fibronectin matrix.

Three mouse monoclonal antibodies to distinct cell surface antigens were derived from immunizations with cells of Tera-1, a human teratocarcinoma cell line, and a membrane preparation of placental tissue. The distribution of the antigens on 165 cultured lines of various human tumors and normal cells was determined by mixed hemadsorption assays and on fresh tissues by immunofluorescence staining. K4 antigen is expressed on cell lines derived from teratocarcinomas but not on any other cultured cell tested. Normal adult colonic epithelium, some fetal tissues, and specimens of testicular teratocarcinoma were also K4 positive. K21 antigen was detected on teratocarcinoma cell lines and, at more than 100-fold lower levels, on cultures of normal and malignant kidney epithelium but not on other cultured cells. K21 expression in normal tissues is restricted to the epithelium of fetal intestine and bronchus. Other fetal tissues and all adult normal tissues tested lacked K21. A subset of teratocarcinoma specimens (5 of 8) was reactive with antibody K21. P12 antigen is represented on a wide range of cell lines and tissues, including a subset of teratocarcinomas. AbK4, AbK21, and AbP12 react with carbohydrate sequences present on high-molecular-weight glycoproteins. AbK21 and AbP12 recognize the lacto-N-tetraose and lacto-N-fucopentaose III (X-hapten) structures, respectively, whereas AbK4 reacts with a neuraminidase-sensitive determinant.

The fine specificity analysis of two human monoclonal antibodies (AbFCM1 and AbHJM1) reacting with gangliosides is described and their specificities are compared with analogous mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). These two antibodies were generated from lymphocytes of melanoma patients by Epstein-Barr virus transformation followed by fusion with mouse myeloma NS-1. Using a wide variety of gangliosides, including N-glycolylneuraminic acid (NeuGc)-containing compounds, the precise structures recognized by these two antibodies were elucidated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunostaining of thin-layer chromatograms. AbFCM1 reacted with N-acetylneuraminic acid (NeuAc)-type GM3, GD1a, sialylparagloboside, and GT1b in decreasing order of intensity. This antibody also reacted with (NeuAc-NeuGc-)-GD3 and -disialylparagloboside, but did not react with NeuGc-type GM3, GM2, sialylparagloboside, (NeuGc)2-GD3 and -disialylparagloboside. The main epitope structures recognized by AbFCM1 are, therefore, NeuAc alpha 2----3Gal beta 1- and NeuAc alpha 2----8NeuGc alpha 2----Gal beta 1-. These results are similar to the specificity of mouse mAb M2590. AbHJM1 reacted with NeuAc-type GD3 and disialylparagloboside, GD2, GD1b, GM3, and GT1b, in decreasing order of intensity. Among NeuGc-type gangliosides, this antibody reacts with (NeuAc-NeuGc-)-GD3 and -disialylparagloboside, but did not react with gangliosides containing only NeuGc. Consequently the epitope structure recognized by AbHJM1 is probably (R)-(NeuAc alpha 2----8Sialic acid alpha 2----3)Gal beta 1-. Mouse anti-GD3 mAbR24, in contrast, showed strong reactivity only with GD3 and -disialylparagloboside among NeuAc-type gangliosides, but showed a similar pattern to AbHJM1 in its reactivity with NeuGc-containing gangliosides. Although these two human monoclonal antibodies are not highly restricted in their specificities, they reacted best with the major gangliosides, GM3 and GD3, present in the majority of human melanomas.

The surface antigens of cultured human malignant astrocytomas were analyzed by using mouse monoclonal antibodies. BALB/c mice were immunized repeatedly with either SK-MG-1 [a glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFA)-negative astrocytoma line] or SK-AO2 (a GFA-positive astrocytoma line). After fusion with NS/1 mouse myeloma cells, 12 antibody-producing clones were selected for detailed study. Serological analysis permitted the identification of nine distinct antigenic systems. Four monoclonal antibodies (Ab AJ225, Ab AO10, Ab AJ8, and Ab AO122) identified cell surface antigens preferentially expressed on tumors of neuroectodermal origin, and these antibodies subdivided the astrocytoma panel into distinguishable subsets. The determinant detected by Ab AO10 and Ab AJ8 showed mutually exclusive expression on the astrocytoma lines. The AO10 and AJ8 phenotypes appeared to reflect the differentiation state of the cultured cells; 4/7 AO10-positive astrocytomas expressed GFA, an intracellular astrocyte differentiation antigen, whereas all AJ8-positive astrocytoma (9/9) were GFA-negative. Five antibodies (Ab AJ10, Ab AJ9, Ab AJ17, Ab AJ425, and Ab AJ2) recognized determinants widely distributed on normal and malignant cells. Four antibodies defined in this study precipitated proteins from reduced preparations of radioisotope-labeled SK-MG-1 and SK-AO2 cells: Ab AJ225 (Mr 145,000); Ab AO122 (Mr265,000); Ab AJ10 (Mrs 195,000 and 165,000); and Ab AJ2 (Mrs 170,000, 140,000, 140,000, and 28,000).

Seven mouse monoclonal antibodies and the lectin from Ulex europaeus, detecting blood group specificities of the ABH and Lewis systems, have been used to define the expression and/or modulation of these antigenic structures in human normal urothelium and tumors of the urinary bladder. The reagents employed recognize the following blood group related antigens: A, B, H, Lewisa (Lea), Lewisb (Leb), Lewisx (Lex), Lewisy (Ley), and type 1 precursor chain. Immunohistochemical studies have demonstrated that these antigenic systems are differentially expressed in the urothelium of secretor and nonsecretor individuals. The normal urothelium of secretors is particularly rich in ABH blood group antigens as well as Leb and Ley specificities. Nonsecretors, however, either lack or show decreased and patchy expression of H, Leb, and Ley antigens. In general, areas affected by carcinoma in situ showed deletion of ABH, as did invasive carcinomas, as demonstrated by other investigators. This was not a universal observation, however, as variable expression of ABH antigens occurred in a few invasive tumors. Lex antigen was not expressed in normal urothelium except for occasional umbrella cells, but was demonstrated in the majority of invasive tumors, regardless of blood type and secretor status of the individuals studied. Ley determinant, which was poorly expressed in the normal urothelium of nonsecretor individuals, was found in all tumors analyzed. An accumulation of non-fucosylated precursor structure was also a feature of invasive carcinoma, particularly in secretor individuals. A panel of anti-blood group antibodies, encompassing A, B, Lex, Ley and type 1 precursor chain specificities for use in patients of known secretor status, may provide useful early markers of malignant change in the urothelium.

AU antigen is defined by reactions of sera from patient AU with cell-surface antigens of cultured autologous melanoma cells (SK-MEL-28). Past studies established that no available cell type other than AU melanoma expressed AU antigen. By use of antibody inhibition tests for antigen detection, limited papain digestion of AU melanoma cells was found to result in the solubilization of AU antigen along with beta2-microglobulin (beta 2m) and HLA allogeneic and xenogeneic specificities. Comparable papain treatment of other melanoma and non-melanoma cell lines solubilized beta 2m and HLA, but did not result in the release of antigen with AU reactivity. Maximum yield of AU antigen from AU melanoma cells was obtained after very short (5-15 min) digestion times in contrast to the more prolonged proteolysis required for maximum HLA and beta 2m release. AU antigen was not immunoprecipitated by rabbit antiserum against beta 2m or HLA under conditions leading to partial or complete removal of beta 2m and HLA. At least a proportion of the molecules with AU determinants appear to be glycoproteins, as indicated by specific affinity for Lens culinaris hemagglutinin (LcH). After affinity chromatography on LcH-agarose, the specific activity of AU antigen was increased 50-fold. As determined by gel filtration chromatography, AU antigen has a molecular weight in the range of 20,000-50,000.

Seventeen monoclonal antibodies derived from fusions with spleen cells of mice immunized with established culture lines of renal cancers identified nine cell-surface antigenic systems. Six of the systems (gp160, S25, gp120r, gp120nr, gp115, and V1) represent antigens not previously described. The other three systems are related to HLA-A, -B, and -C heavy chain and A and B blood group antigens. The most restricted of the newly described antigens are gp160, S25, and gp120r. These determinants are found only on cells of renal origin, both normal and malignant, and represent differentiation antigens of human kidney. In addition to the difference in the molecular weight of two of these antigens, gp160, S25, and gp120r can be distinguished on the basis of differential expression on a panel of cultured renal cancers and normal kidney epithelium and fetal kidney cells. Glycoproteins bearing gp120r share a determinant with renal gp120nr (as indicated by sequential precipitations with monoclonal antibodies that detect gp120r and gp120nr), but gp120nr is found on a broader range of cell types, including fibroblasts and cell lines derived from lung, bladder, and colon cancers. The two other new systems, gp115 and V1, have characteristics of broadly occurring differentiation antigens but can be distinguished from each other and from gp120nr by differences in molecular weight, heat stability (V1 is a heat-stable determinant), and differential expression on cell types of diverse origin.

Lymph node lymphocytes from patients with primary lung cancer were immortalized with Epstein-Barr virus, and culture supernatants were screened for cell-surface reactivity against allogeneic cancer cell lines. The percentage of wells containing detectable antibodies in initial screening ranged from 1 to 17%, but the vast majority of the cultures lost antibody activity on subsequent expansion. Two antibody-secreting clones, J309 and D579, derived from separate individuals and reactive with anaplastic lung cancer cell lines, were successfully expanded and fused with the NS-1 mouse myeloma cell line. The antibodies produced by these clones exhibited identical restricted serologic reactivity against cultured cell lines and detected a carbohydrate antigen present in the neutral glycolipid fraction of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Serologic, immunochemical, and chemical analyses revealed that the antigen recognized by antibodies J309 and D579 is galactosylgloboside [Gal(beta 1----3)GalNAc(beta 1----3)Gal(alpha 1----4)Gal(beta 1----4)- GlcCer]. Conclusions regarding the significance of these findings with respect to the biology of lung cancer await further information concerning the distribution of galactosylgloboside in normal and malignant tissues and the frequency of antibodies to this structure in normal and tumor-bearing individuals.

Antibodies present in the serum of melanoma patient FD detect an antigenic determinant (FD) restricted to the autologous melanoma cell line SK-MEL-131. This cell-surface determinant is carried on a glycoprotein of 90 kDa, designated gp90. Mice were immunized with a partially purified preparation of gp90 derived from SK-MEL-131 clone 1.5, and three murine hybridomas (KF23, KF26, and KF104) secreting monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) detecting this antigen have been generated. Sequential immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrate that the three mAbs and human FD serum react with the same gp90 species. The mAbs, in contrast to FD serum, react with a broad range of cultured cells in assays for cell-surface antigens and immunoprecipitate a gp90 component from radiolabeled extracts of these cells, including autologous FD B cells. We conclude that gp90 from SK-MEL-131 has two types of determinants: restricted (detected by FD serum) and common (detected by the mouse mAbs). gp90 molecules from cell lines other than SK-MEL-131 carry only the common determinant(s). Immunoperoxidase analysis of frozen tissue sections with mAb KF23 demonstrated a restricted gp90 expression in normal tissues (capillary endothelial cells, duct epithelium in sweat glands, breast, and pancreas). Melanomas and sarcomas showed strong gp90 expression, suggesting up-regulation of gp90 synthesis in certain human cancers.

Three human differentiation antigens (MU78, MT334, and MQ49) have been defined by mouse monoclonal antibodies developed from mice immunized with ovarian carcinoma cell lines. Their distribution was determined on 148 cultured cell lines of various histologic types and on frozen sections of 16 normal tissues. MU78 was found in fibrillar structures in soft connective tissue with a distribution resembling that of elastin fibers; however, elastin fibers in elastic cartilage and in the aorta were nonreactive. MU78 was detected in cultured carcinoma cells of various histologic types, where it had a nonfibrillar, cytoplasmic distribution, but was not detected in normal epithelial cells in frozen sections. Cultured fibroblasts, astrocytomas, melanomas, and lymphomas did not contain MU78. In cell lines, MU78 appears to be a protein of 2000-5000 daltons. The other two antigens, MT334 and MQ49, are both mucin-like molecules, and the determinants are probably carbohydrate in nature. Of the normal tissues examined, MT334 was detected only in goblet cells of the colon, though it was present in a variety of carcinomas in culture. It was detected as both a cytoplasmic and secreted component. MQ49 was detected in various secretory epithelial cells, in Hassall's corpuscles in the thymus, and in cultured carcinomas of various histologic types. It was found on the cell surface as well as in the cytoplasm and is present on a glycolipid as well as on a sulfated mucin. These results, and results of other recent studies, demonstrate the importance of mucin-like molecules as antigens in epithelial cells and secretions.

Analysis of the humoral immune response of patients with melanoma has identified a small group of individuals with antibody to cell surface antigens that are restricted to autologous melanoma cells. These antigens, referred to as Class I or unique tumor antigens, are demonstrated by reactions between serum and cultured melanoma cells from the same patient and absorption tests with autologous and allogeneic normal and malignant cells to determine antibody specificity. Five Class 1 melanoma antigens have been defined to date, but insight into the nature of these antigens has been limited because antibodies identifying these antigens lacked detectable immunoprecipitating activity. We have now defined a Class 1 melanoma antigen (designated FD) that is immunoprecipitated by autologous antibody. FD antigen is identified by an IgG antibody present in the sera of patient FD, and peak titers of this antibody in tests with cultured autologous melanoma cells are in the range of 1:2048. By absorption tests, FD antigen could not be detected on any other cell type, including 33 allogeneic melanomas. Prolonged culture of FD melanoma cells resulted in decreased expression of FD antigen, but sublines could be obtained with stable antigen expression. FD antigen is trypsin and heat sensitive, neuraminidase resistant, and is shed in the culture medium. Immunoprecipitation of 125I-labeled cell membrane preparations revealed a 90,000 dalton component of pI 5.5. Serum immunoprecipitating activity could be absorbed by autologous melanoma cells but not by autologous B cells or allogeneic cell lines. A component of the same molecular mass could be precipitated from lysates of cells metabolically labeled with [3H]mannose. The membrane form of the FD antigen binds strongly to Con A-Sepharose and can be eluted with methyl-alpha-D-mannoside. The identification of a precipitating Class I antigenic system of melanoma facilitates efforts to generate monoclonal antibodies to this tumor antigen and to clone its coding sequence.

Two-dimensional electrophoretograms of extracts of [3H]glucosamine-labeled human renal cancer cells demonstrated a series of components (Mr 48,000 and 30,000) that are only poorly expressed in similarly labeled normal kidney epithelial cell cultures [S. Ogata, R. Ueda, and K. O. Lloyd (1981) Proc. Natl. Acad Sci. USA 78, 770-774]. These characteristics are also exhibited by [3H]Man-labeled samples and by concanavalin A-binding glycoproteins from [35S]Met-labeled cells. It is now shown that these species are the precursor chain (Mr 48,000) and native heavy chain (Mr 30,000) forms of the lysosomal enzyme, cathepsin D. These results were obtained by precipitation with a specific anti-cathepsin D serum and by binding of the components to pepstatin-Sepharose. Cathepsin D heavy chain is heterogeneous, having three major species with pI's of 5.7, 5.3, and 4.9; all forms are glycosylated with high mannose-type chains [approximate size: Man5(GlcNAc)2] and are partially phosphorylated. Despite these indications of dissimilarities in cathepsin D levels, the actual levels of total acid protease activity were not significantly higher in renal cancer cells than in normal kidney epithelial cells.

AH antigen, initially defined by an antibody present in a melanoma patient, is a cell surface antigen found on approximately 65% of melanoma cell lines. Absorption analysis indicates that AH is a differentiation antigen marking normal and malignant cells of neuroectodermal origin. The AH determinant has been found to be related to GD2 ganglioside.

Spleen cells from mice immunized with the human lung cancer line SK-LC-3 were fused with mouse NS-1 myeloma cells. One of the hybrid clones produced a monoclonal IgM antibody (designated F-3), detected with antimouse Ig-MHA and hemagglutination assays. This antibody was completely absorbed by O red cells and completely inhibited by low concentrations of H(O) glycoproteins and hog mucin (A + H). Bombay (Oh) red cells completely failed to absorb F-3 activity even after treatment with neuraminidase. A1, A2, A1B, A2B, and B red cells and A- and B-glycoproteins were less effective in absorbing or inhibiting F-3 activity. Other glycoproteins (including those having Lea or blood group precursor structures) showed little or no inhibitory activity. Serum from nude mice carrying F-3 hybridoma agglutinated O and A2 red cells at a titer of 1:40,000 and 1:640, respectively. A1, A1B, A2B, and B red cells were agglutinated with titers of 1:80 or less. Monoclonal antibody F-3 is, therefore, highly specific for H(O) blood group determinants.

A monomeric sialoglycoprotein of 130,000 molecular weight (gp 130) is a membrane protein detected by mouse monoclonal antibodies on human melanoma cells and in lesser amounts on a wide range of normal and malignant cell types. Eight monoclonal antibodies reacting with gp 130 detect at least four spatially distinct epitopes on the exposed surface of the gp 130 molecule. Biosynthetic studies have shown that gp 130 is synthesized through two precursor forms: a 100 kD glycosylated species and an 80 kD unglycosylated species, presumably the primary translational product of the encoding mRNA.

The reactivity of a panel of five mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAb) produced to human ovarian and endometrial cancer cell lines was analyzed on frozen sections of normal adult and fetal tissues and on tumor sections using immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase procedures. mAb MH99 was reactive with almost all types of epithelial cells and stained all epithelial tumors examined. mAb MH94 reacted mainly with secretory epithelia and was unreactive with the epithelial cell layer of normal ovaries. In contrast, approximately 50% of epithelial ovarian tumors and the lining cells of inclusion cysts were positive. mAb MF61 was positive only on the endometrium and noncellular follicular secretions or colloid of the thyroid among normal tissues examined. A subset of ovarian tumors was positive with this antibody. mAb MF116 gave no reactivity with normal tissues within the sensitivity of the assay. MF116 was expressed on a proportion (44%) of ovarian carcinomas of various histological types. These antibodies provide an initial panel for the immunohistological analysis of ovarian cancer.