Monoclonal antibodies with specificity for fetal erythroid cells

Abstract

The present invention concerns a monoclonal antibody and corresponding hybridoma cells and antigens suitable for isolating fetal cells from maternal blood. The inventive monoclonal antibody reacts with a surface antigen present on fetal red blood cells including their nucleated precursor cells, but not with surface antigens on adult erythroid cell.

1 . A monoclonal antibody reacting with a surface antigen present on fetal red blood cells including their nucleated precursor cells, but not with surface antigens on adult erythroid cells. 
     
     
         2 . The antibody according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it reacts with most or all fetal erythroid cells, which express the CD71 antigen but are negative for CD45 antigen expression. 
     
     
         3 . The antibody according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it reacts with fetal erythroid cells but not with the CD71 antigen. 
     
     
         4 . A hybridoma cell producing a monoclonal antibody according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         5 . A hybridoma cell as deposited under accession number DSM ACC 2666 on Jul. 13, 2004 at the Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen and Zellkulturen GmbH in Braunschweig, Germany. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . An antibody expressed by the hybridoma cell according to  claim 5 . 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A surface antigen on fetal red blood cells recognized by a monoclonal antibody as characterized in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . An antibody characterized in that it recognizes or binds specifically to a surface antigen according to  claim 9 . 
     
     
         11 . Use of a monoclonal antibody according to  claim 1  for the detection and identification of fetal cells in a sample. 
     
     
         12 . Use according to  claim 11  for the detection and identification of fetal cells in a sample of maternal blood. 
     
     
         13 . A method for detection or identification of fetal cells in a sample, characterized by labeling said fetal cells by an antibody according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , characterized in that the sample is maternal blood or a sample of maternal blood. 
     
     
         15 . Use of a method according to  claim 13  for the detection of chromosomal and/or genetic aberrations, defects and/or variants in the fetal cells detected and identified by a method according to  claim 13 , characterized in that said fetal cells are subsequent to the detection and identification analyzed for a chromosomal and/or genetic aberration, defects and/or variant. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 13 , characterized in that cells binding the monoclonal antibody are separated by flow cytometry, solid phase separation, immunomagnetic bead separation, panning on plastic surfaces, or the like.