A novel monoclonal antibody against canine monocytes/macrophages

The production and partial characterization of a monoclonal antibody, the IgG1 IH1, which recognizes an antigen distributed in canine monocytes/macrophages, is reported here. The distribution and apparent molecular weight of the antigen recognized by the IH1 MAb was determined in peripheral blood leukocytes, peripheral blood monocyte-derived macrophages and tissue sections of spleen, liver and skin, using Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. The IH1 MAb-recognized antigen was detected in Western blotting under non-reducing conditions spread out as a large band covering the position corresponding to the migration of molecules with molecular weights from 55 to 73 kDa. The IH1 MAb labeled blood monocytes, tissue macrophages in lymph nodes, and in the mantle zone of the spleen, and Kupffer cells in the liver. It did not react with human cells. In flow cytometric analysis, the IH1 MAb reacted with a subpopulation of monocytes. The MAb described herein may become a valuable tool for diagnosis and research on canine diseases.