Complete separation of anti-hapten antibodies by two-dimensional affinity electrophoresis

A high resolution two-dimensional affinity electrophoresis has been developed, using capillary isoelectric focusing as the first electrophoresis and slab gel affinity electrophoresis as second electrophoresis. By this method 1-2 micrograms of anti-dinitrophenyl antibodies have been separated completely into several hundred homogeneous IgG spots. They are grouped into a number of families which are composed of several IgG spots of the same affinity to the hapten but of a different pI. It is suggested that each individual family is derived from one monoclonal antibody producing cell line.