A Unique Epitope on Human Serum Albumin Recognized by Monoclonal Antibody HSA-1: A Probe for Identification of the Human Origin of Blood or Tissue

Abstract

A panel of monoclonal antibodies was raised against human serum albumin from fusions of BALB/c splenocytes and SP2/0-Agl4 murine myeloma cells. This panel was screened against purified albumins from 21 species including chimpanzee, gorilla, and orangutan. A monoclonal antibody (HSA-l) specific for human albumin was identified. The epitope recognized by HSA-l was shown to be conserved in all human blood samples tested. A double antibody ELISA assay was developed using biotinylated HSA-l as the specific probe for human albumin. This assay was capable of detecting as little as 30 nanograms or less albumin/ml. This assay was used to verify the presence of human albumin in blood, tissue extracts, and other body fluids. These results show that the HSA-l monoclonal antibody can be used in determining the human origin of blood, tissue, and a variety of other body fluids.