Antibodies against creatinekinase-M8 and process for the production thereof

Claim 1

Antibodies having a molecular weight of 130,000-210,000 and a sedimentation constant between 6S and 8S; and being capable of effecting in creatinekinase-MM (CK-MM) and creatinekinase-MB (CK-MB) complete inhibition of enzymatic activity of the M subunit without inhibiting the enzymatic activity of the B subunit and without precipitation; wherein complete inhibition of the enzymatic activity of said M subunit of creatinekinase leaves less than 5 U./l. of said enzymatic activity intact, and non-inhibition of said enzymatic activity of said B subunit is less than 10 U./l., and wherein said antibodies are substantially free of creatinekinase-BB (CK-BB) isoenzyme activity; wherein said antibodies are prepared by the steps of activating a CK-MM antigen from skeletal muscle of humans, monkeys, pigs or cattle by an activator for --SH groups selected from the group consisting of N-acetylcysteine, mercaptoethanol, dithioerythritol, glutathione, cysteine, dithiothreitol, S-(2-aminoethyl)-isothiouronium bromide hydrobromide and thioglycolic acid or a divalent metal ion activator selected from the group consisting of magnesium, manganese, calcium and cobalt, or a mixture of activators; inoculating a goat with the thus-activated CK-MM antigen; withdrawing blood from the goat; and isolating said antibodies from the withdrawn blood.