A murine hybridoma was generated which secreted a
monoclonal antibody (Mab) that specifically recognized the alpha 2(68)(E17)Asn----Lys beta 2 substitution of
Hb G-Philadelphia. Hybridomas were produced by fusion of RBF/DnJ immune splenic lymphocytes with FOX-NY murine myeloma cells and selected in
adenine-
aminopterin-
thymidine (AAT) medium. Culture fluids were screened by ELISA for antibody reacting with
Hb G-Philadelphia but not Hb A. One such culture was cloned by limiting dilution, expanded and injected into
pristane-primed,
cyclophosphamide-suppressed BALB/c mice for
ascites production. An
enzyme-linked immunoassay was developed by conjugating
hemoglobin in hemolysates or purified
hemoglobins to the
plastic surface of wells of a microtiter plate. The
ascites fluid containing the
Hb G-Philadelphia Mab was added to the wells followed by goat anti-mouse
IgG conjugated with
horseradish peroxidase. After the addition of substrate (tetramethylbenzidine), a deep blue color developed, signifying a positive reaction. We analyzed 58 hemolysates (17 adult, 41 cord) containing a G-variant along with 28 control hemolysates (12 cords comprising FA, FAC, FAS, FSS, FCC phenotypes; 16 adults consisting of AA, AS, SS, SC, S-beta thal, AD-Los Angeles phenotypes). Of the 58 hemolysates containing a G-variant, 53 were positive by ELISA and confirmed by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Four of the five hemolysates negative for
Hb G-Philadelphia were shown to be Hb G-Montgomery by RIA. None of the control hemolysates were positive. The assay could be completed in 1 hr and represents a technological advance in
hemoglobin identification.