The production of monoclonal antibodies to human chorionic gonadotrophin and its subunits.

ABSTRACT

The difficulties encountered in producing highly specific antisera to human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) were overcome by the use of hybridoma technology. A panel of monoclonal antibodies directed toward hCG and its subunits was produced. Of the four antibodies which were fully characterized, one recognized the intact hCG molecule only, a second recognized only the free beta-subunit, a third recognized only the free alpha-subunit and the fourth bound to the beta-subunit of hCG both when it was in the free form and when it was associated with the alpha-subunit forming the intact hCG molecule. There was no significant cross-reaction of any of these antibodies with the pituitary glycoprotein hormones. The four antibodies had high binding affinities which should permit their use in immunoassays for measurement of circulating levels of hCG and its subunits.