Characterization of the recognition specificity of autoreactive, polyspecific monoclonal antibodies obtained from spleen cells of parasite-infected BALB/c mice.

We examined the specificity of four monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) obtained from Schistosoma japonicum (1D, GAO3), Trypanosoma cruzi (TSLO), and Trichinella spiralis (TSY2) infected BALB/c mice. All four MoAbs reacted not only with autologous parasite antigens but also with various heterologous parasite antigens and normal tissues. The antigen recognition pattern seen on Western blots was almost identical in 1D and GAO3, and in TSLO and TSY2. Furthermore, certain bands were identical among all four MoAbs. The mechanisms responsible for these phenomena are discussed.