Detection and neutralization of bovine tumor necrosis factor by a monoclonal antibody.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) have been produced which are specific for bovine tumor necrosis factor (TNF). MAb BC9 detects bovine TNF in a radioimmunoassay with a detection limit of 24 pg/ml. BC9 also neutralizes the in vitro biological function of bovine recombinant TNF. The activity of 250 ng TNF/ml was entirely neutralized by 1% ascitic fluid. When ascites was added at a saturating concentration (10% ascitic fluid), up to 25 micrograms TNF per ml was neutralized. The neutralizing effect of BC9 was seen in cytotoxic assays using L929 cells and WEHI 164 clone 13 cells. The cytotoxic activity of supernatants from in vitro activated bovine monocytes was entirely blocked by BC9.