Preparation and study of monoclonal antibody to matrix metalloproteinase-2

AIM: To obtain a McAb that can inhibit the function of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), we expressed the fibronectin-like domain of MMP-2 (MFD) in vitro and prepared a McAb against MMP-2. METHODS: The purified MFD protein was used to immunize BALB/C mouse three times. Then the spleen of mouse was taken out and hybridized with hybridoma cells SP2/0. The positive cell clones were screened with ELISA method. The subtype and tissue specificity of the McAb were identified and its effect on endothelial cell migration and tube-formation was analyzed. RESULTS: After the spleen cells of the mouse and hybridoma cells SP2/0 were hybridized, a piece of cells that continuously secreted McAb against MMP-2 was obtained and named SZ-117. The titers of this McAb in culture supernatants and ascites were 2×10^-3 and 2×10^-5, respectively. The heavy chain of the McAb belongs to IgG1 subclass. The McAb identified native MMP-2. MMP-2 existed in the stromal tissue of stomach, cholecystis, spleen, ovarian, prostate, salping and lymph node. It inhibited the invasion behavior of endothelial cells Eahy926 and pancreatic carcinoma cells 1990 and inhibited the tube-formation of Eahy926 cells. CONCLUSION: A useful tool for testing MMP-2 is obtained and it will be helpful to look for a kind of new anti-tumor material.