Immunological identification of rat hepatoma associated antigens on human liver

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats using 2-MeDAB and DENA, and hepatoma associated antigens were identified and isolated from the plasma membrane surface of rat liver. Rabbit antisera against hepatoma associated antigens were obtained and reactivity of the antibody with proteins extracted from human livers (normal and hepatoma) was analyzed by double immunodiffusion, immunoelectrophoresis and crossed-immunoelectrophoresis. The results showed a strong evidence for the presence of proteins (MW 65,000 & 55,000) on the human liver cell cross-reacting with the antibody against rat hepatoma associated antigens. These human proteins were found to be unreactive with the antiserum against plasma membrane surface proteins of normal rar liver.