Generation and characterization of 1H8 monoclonal antibody against human bone marrow stromal cells

Background: Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) express many cell surface molecules, which regulate the proliferation and differentiation of immune cells within the bone marrow. Methods: To identify cell surface molecules, which can regulate cell proliferation through cell interaction, monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) against BMSCs were produced. Among them, 1H8 MoAb, which recognized distinctly an 80 kDa protein, abolished myeloma cell proliferation that was induced by co-culturing with BMSCs. Results: IL-6 gene expression was increased when myeloma or stromal cells were treated with 1H8 MoAb. In addition, the expression of IL-6 receptor and CD40 was up-regulated by 1H8 treatment, suggesting that the molecule recognized by 1H8 MoAb is involved in cell proliferation by modulating the expression of cell growth-related genes. Myeloma cells contain high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are related to gene expression and tumorigenesis. Treatment with 1H8 decreased the intracellular ROS level and increased PAG antioxidant gene concomitantly. Finally, 1H8 induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins in U266. Conclusion: Taken together, 1H8 MoAb recognized the cell surface molecule and triggered the intracellular signals, which led to modulate gene expression and cell proliferation.