This chapter discusses the distinction of epitopes by monoclonal antibodies. The chapter explains that hybridoma technology has become very efficient in the production of large numbers of specific monoclonal antibodies. The chapter describes in detail three main methods for the distinction of specificity of different mAb: competition solid phase antibody binding assay (SABA) binding to epitopes on different molecules and epitope destruction by iodination. Competition SABA is a generally applicable method based on the assumption that two mAb can bind to one antigen molecule simultaneously if they bind to different epitopes. In addition, different methods are discussed by which mAb-2 is measured selectively in the presence of mAb-1. The chapter explains that the choice of method depends on several factors including convenient availability of different reagents.

Thirteen monoclonal antibodies to human leukocyte interferon have been obtained. They exhibit different patterns of binding to purified leukocyte interferon species that are consistent with the structural multiplicity of the human leukocyte interferons. These antibodies will be useful as probes into the structure of the human leukocyte interferons, for their purification, and for rapid assay of leukocyte interferon.