Mouse monoclonal IgE antibodies specific for ragweed pollen antigens

In order to obtain monoclonal IgE antibody specific for the major allergens in ragweed pollen extracts, hybridomas were constructed from spleens of mice immunized with ragweed antigen E (AgE). Two hybridomas were selected for thorough study, both secreting antibodies of the IgE class. Large quantities of IgE antibodies were isolated by affinity purification using Sepharose 4B conjugated with ragweed pollen proteins (Fraction A). Both MAbs were found to bind to a high molecular weight and heterogeneous population of proteins, but not to monomeric AgE as demonstrated by protein blot analysis. It is suspected that both MAbs react with low affinity with AgE determinants and binding could be demonstrated only with aggregated forms of AgE. Although the specific antigens with which they react are unknown, these monoclonal IgE antibodies should be useful reagents, complementing the previously obtained monoclonal anti-dinitrophenyl IgE antibody, for studying various aspects of the mouse and human IgE antibody systems.