Production, characterisation and applicability of monoclonal antibodies to European eel (Anguilla anguilla L., 1758) immunoglobulin.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to European eel (Anguilla anguilla L., 1758) immunoglobulin (Ig) were produced, characterised and tested for applicability in a number of immuno(cyto)chemical assays. The selected mAbs, WEI 1 and WEI 2, were specifically reactive with Ig heavy and light chain, respectively. WEI 1 appeared to react with all or nearly all Ig molecules, B cells and plasma cells. WEI 2 was reactive with a subpopulation of those cells, indicating that European eel possesses at least two antigenically different light chain types. Both mAbs could be used for detection of antigen-specific antibodies in plasma by means of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).