ABSTRACT
This chapter describes monoclonal antibodies reacting with histocompatibility antigens and concentrates on those species against which the majority of antibodies have been produced. It also describes the criterion for inclusion that the gene coding for the determinant map within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of the species. Monoclonal antisera certainly have many advantages, such as the provision of unlimited volumes of high titered antibody of the same specificity, affinity and class, and freedom from contaminating antibodies either to other specificities, viruses, or autoantibodies. The use of monoclonal antisera for the analysis of cell membrane antigens has many advantages over the use of alloantisera or xenoantisera produced by the usual immunization procedures. The use of monoclonal antibodies has thus far led to the description of several new loci due to the "splitting" of the H-2K, H-2D, and H-2L loci.
