Monoclonal Antibodies Against bFGF

Inventors: Mark Nesbit and Meenhard Herlyn

Tech ID:HM01RR

Description: Wistar scientists have developed two MAbs (designated 8 and 11) against bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor), which is a major mitogen for cells of various embryological origin. It is important for development, tissue regeneration, cancer, and inflammatory diseases. Its detection is highest in activated tissues. In certain cancer such as melanomas, bFGF is an autocrine growth factor. Neutralization of its activity leads to cessation of growth.

Origin: BALB/c mice were immunized with the human recombinant bFGF fusion protein from E.coli. Fusion of spleen cells of immunized mice was done with the non-secreting mouse myeloma cell line P3x63Ag8.SP2/0.

Both antibodies bind to the recombinant and native forms of bFGF. They bind the protein by Western Blotting. They also bind to cells expressing bFGF in frozen tissue sections. In normal skin, there is little binding of the antibodies but both bind strongly to nevi and melanomas.

Isotype: : IgG1

Keywords: Diagnosis of tumors; neovascularization

Reference: Mark Nesbit, Heike KE Nesbit, Jean Bennett, Thomas Andl, Mei-Yu Hsu, Emma Dejesus, Michelle McBrian, Abha R. Gupta, Stephen L. Eck, Meenhard Herlyn (1999) "Basic fibroblast growth factor induces a transformed phenotype in normal human melanocytes" Oncogene  Vol 18, 6469-6476

Application: Western blotting, Immunohistochemistry, ELISA

Contact:

Meryle J. Melnicoff, Ph.D.
Director, Business Development The Wistar Institute
Phone: (215) 898-0049
melnicoff@wistar.org