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Radioimmunoassay for Glycoprotein gp47 of Murine Mammary Tumor Virus in Organs and Serum of Mice and Search for Related Antigens in Human Sera¹

Laboratoire de Radioimmunologie [P. F. Z., P. F.], Laboratoire de Microbiologie Générale et Médicale [C-M. C-B., L. G., S. K., P. M. O.], Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique [C. C.], and Laboratoire de Biochimie [C. F.], University of Liège, Liège, Belgium

Murine mammary tumor virus main glycoprotein (gp47), prepared by diethylaminoethyl cellulose and hydroxyapatite chromatography of detergent-mercaptoethanol-KCl-disrupted virion, was used as labeled antigen in a highly specific and reproducible radioimmunoassay. Seven other (glyco) proteins of the virus were antigenically distinct from gp47. Serum and organs of uninfected C57BL mice did not contain gp47, but sera of infected Swiss and RIII mice did contain the antigen. Despite the high content in the mammary gland, the level of gp47 in other organs was identical in male and female mice. The titer of gp47 in serum was high in tumor-bearing females, but it varied with the mouse strain. Anti-gp47 immunoglobulins could not be detected. The investigation included 314 human sera (107 normal, 65 benign mastopathy, 89 breast cancer, and 53 digestive cancer). None contained an antigen related to gp47. One of 20 human mammary cyst fluids was positive.

¹ This study was conducted under contract with Caisse Générale d'Epargne et de Retraite (Belgium) and Contracts 20258, 20305, and 3.4528.76 with Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique Médicale (Belgium).

² Aspirant du Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique (Belgium).

³ To whom requests for reprints should be addressed, at Pathologie B-23, Université de Liège au Sart Tilman, B-4000 Liège, Belgium.

Received 5/ 5/77. Accepted 8/19/77.