A Quantitative Method for Detecting Ara h 2 by Generation and Utilization of Monoclonal Antibodies

Abstract EN

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is one of the most common food allergens that can induce fatal anaphylaxis, and Ara h 2 is one of the major allergen components involved in peanut allergy.

The aim of this study was to develop a quantitative method for detecting peanut allergen using monoclonal antibodies against Ara h 2.

The splenocytes of immunized mice were fused with myeloma cells (SP2/0), and stable mAb-producing clones were obtained by limiting dilution.

mAbs against Ara h 2 were isolated from mouse ascites, and specificity was confirmed by immunoblotting.

Five mAbs with high purity and specific reactivity were obtained, which were referred to as 1-2E10, 2-1D5, 3-1C5, 4-1C2, and 5-1G4, respectively.

After screening different mAb combinations for development of a sandwich ELISA, we selected 5-1G4 as the capture antibody and 1-2E10 as the detection antibody for the measurement of Ara h 2 from which an optimal correlation between the Ara h 2 concentration and the OD value was obtained.

This sandwich ELISA could specifically detect Ara h 2 in peanut extract at concentrations as low as 5 ng/mL and up to 10 μg/mL.

These mAbs can, therefore, serve as quantitative diagnostic reagents for peanut and peanut product risk assessment.