Comparative Mapping of Cloned Human and Murine Antithyroglobulin Antibodies: Recognition by Human Antibodies of an Immunodominant Region

Antibodies (Ab) to thyroglobulin (Tg) are common in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases, but it is currently unclear how Tg Ab are involved in the pathology of autoimmune thyroid disease. We have previously reported the isolation of immunoglobulin G (IgG)κ and IgGλ Fab from phage display combinatorial libraries from the cervical lymph node of a single Hashimoto's thyroiditis patient with a high anti-Tg titer. Sequence analysis of these Fab indicated a restricted heavy chain usage with a nonrestricted light chain usage, with Fab inhibiting the binding of patient Tg Ab by between 39% and 79%. Comparative mapping of nine each of these IgGκ and IgGλ Fab, and the patient serum from whom the Fab were derived, is described here, using a panel of 10 murine monoclonal antibodies (Mab) to human thyroglobulin (hTg). The Fab interacted principally with mAb defining the overlapping antigenic domains I and IV, previously characterized as the region recognized by the majority of patient serum Tg Ab. Tg Ab from serum of the patient from whom the Fab were derived were also directed at this region, suggesting that the Fab are representative of the Tg Ab present in this patient.