A monoclonal antibody raised against adultSchistosoma mansoni which recognizes a surface antigen on schistosomula

Abstract
A monoclonal antibody has been raised by immunizing a mouse with an isolated tegumental preparation of adultSchistosoma mansoni. The hybridoma, designated NIMP/M.47, secreted an IgG2a antibody which was positive by indirect immunofluorescence with live schistosomula ofS. mansoni, but not with live schistosomula ofS. bovis, or with other living life cycle stages ofS. mansoni. In complement-dependent, or cell-mediated in vitro cytotoxicity assays, the monoclonal antibody mediated levels of schistosomular killing as high as those obtained with sera from infected mice. No significant protection, however, was obtained in passive transfer experiments. NIMP/M.47 was specific for a 20,000 dalton polypeptide in the schistosomular surface, which was also recognized by serum from infected mice.