Characterization of a monoclonal antibody against a mucin-type glycoprotein in human sweat

We report the preparation and characterization of an IgG2 monoclonal antibody (MAb), HSMA, prepared against a human pooled sweat extract (HPSE). The major component of HPSE was a mucin-type molecule, as revealed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) stained with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reagent. By immunoblotting, HSMA revealed a smear in the high molecular weight range, typical of mucins. In enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), HSMA failed to react with HPSE fractions isolated after anionic exchange gel chromatography. Similarly, radio-immunobinding assays demonstrated no reactivity between HSMA and A, B, H, and Lewis blood group-related structures. The immunohistological labeling on normal skin showed that HSMA reacted with the cells of eccrine sweat glands, and to a lesser extent, with sebaceous glands and epidermal cells. Periodate treatment in situ abolished these reactions, thus suggesting the carbohydrate structure of the HSMA-epitope. In indirect immunofluorescence (IF) studies, HSMA also reacted with other exocrine glands, e.g. mammary glands, sublingual glands, mixed sero-mucous glands of the trachea, and in the pancreas. Sparse positive cells were also observed in the testis, kidney, thyroid and digestive tract.