Monoclonal antibody specific for the mutant PiZ alpha 1-antitrypsin and its application in an ELISA procedure for identification of PiZ gene carriers.

The PiZ genetic variant of alpha 1-antitrypsin in its homozygous form is associated with an increased risk for chronic lung and liver disease. About 5% of the population are carriers of one PiZ deficiency gene resulting in intermediate levels of plasma alpha 1-antitrypsin (PiMZ, PiSZ, PiPZ). We report the preparation of a hybridoma cell line, ATZ 11, produced by fusion of spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with a purified liver PiZ alpha 1-antitrypsin and Sp 2/0 Ag 14 mouse myeloma cells. ATZ 11 produces monoclonal antibodies (IgG1 kappa) specifically interacting with PiZ alpha 1-antitrypsin. These antibodies were used in an ELISA procedure permitting easy and accurate identification of PiZ gene carriers. The method is especially well-suited for studying large population samples concerning the putative relationship between intermediate alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency and disease.