digitalin and Arrhythmias--Cardiac

A monoclonal antidigitalin antibody was obtained following the immunization of BALB/mice with digitalin coupled to BSA, and the fusion of lymphocytes from these mice with murin myeloma 8653. The supernatants were screened by a radioimmunoassay in which the supernatant was incubated with digitalin coupled to I125. This monoclonal antibody "Dig 278" has an antigen binding ratio of 95%; is an IgGl; has a titre of 1/1000 and its affinity constant, as determined by a Scatchard plot, was 1,20(9) L/M. By experimenting with the monoclonal antibodies on 15 rabbits, we have obtained the reversal of heart rhythm disorders and the survival of animals injected with a lethal dose of digitalin. All the controls died. This antibody could prove useful in treating advanced cases of digitalin intoxication and for which no satisfactory treatment is available at present.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Digitalis Glycosides; Humans; Mice; Rabbits