Four epitopes on tumor necrosis factor-alpha defined by murine anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha monoclonal antibodies

Abstract Eight murine anti-TNF α monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were produced after immunization of BALB/c mice with rhTNF α . Six of these mAbs were able to neutralize cytotoxic activity of TNF α against L929 cells. Two other mAbs had no neutralizing effect. Epitope mapping studies were performed by ELISA and by using a BIAcore system (Pharmacia). The described mAbs were allowed to define 4 different epitopes on TNF α . Three of them were involved in the binding of TNF α with its receptor (cytotoxic neutralization of TNF α ). Another epitope was defined by non-neutralizing mAbs.