Monoclonal antibody to a 35 kD epidermal protein induces cell detachment.

A murine monoclonal antibody (ECS-1) was prepared from BALB/c mice immunized with trypsinized cultured human foreskin keratinocytes. The antibody showed a pattern suggestive of intercellular staining on the nucleated layers of normal human epidermis, adult palm, mouse lip epidermis, and cultured human keratinocytes. ECS-1 stained human fetal skin by 9 weeks estimated gestational age. ECS-1 reacted with a 35 kD protein extracted from neonatal foreskin epidermis and cultured human keratinocytes. The protein required Nonidet P-40 or sodium dodecyl sulfate and mercaptoethanol for solubilization. ECS-1 induced epidermal cell detachment which was enhanced by complement. ECS-1 shares characteristics with human pemphigus antibodies.