TD-11 workshop report: characterization of monoclonal antibodies to S100 proteins

Fourteen monoclonal antibodies with specificity against native or recombinant antigens within the S100 family were investigated with regard to immunoreactivity. The specificities of the antibodies were studied using ELISA tests, Western blotting epitope mapping using competitive assays, and QCM technology. The mimotopes of antibodies against S100A4 were determined by random peptide phage display libraries. Antibody specificity was also tested by IHC and pair combinations evaluated for construction of immunoradiometric assays for S100B. Out of the 14 antibodies included in this report eight demonstrated specificity to S100B, namely MAbs 4E3, 4D2, S23, S53, 6G1, S21, S36, and 8B10. This reactivity could be classified into four different epitope groups using competing studies. Several of these MAbs did display minor reactivity to other S100 proteins when they were presented in denatured form. Only one of the antibodies, MAb 3B10, displayed preferential reactivity to S100A1; however, it also showed partial cross-reactivity with S100A10 and S100A13. Three antibodies, MAbs 20.1, 22.3, and S195, were specific for recombinant S100A4 in solution. Western blot revealed that MAb 20.1 and 22.3 recognized linear epitopes of S100A4, while MAb S195 reacted with a conformational dependent epitope. Surprisingly, MAb 14B3 did not demonstrate any reactivity to the panel of antigens used in this study.