(2014). Heterologous screening of hybridomas for the development of broad-specific monoclonal antibodies against deoxynivalenol and its analogues. World Mycotoxin Journal AbstractHapten heterology was introduced into the steps of hybridoma selection for the development of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against deoxynivalenol (DON). Firstly, a novel heterologous DON hapten was synthesized and covalently coupled to proteins (i.e., bovine serum albumin (BSA), ovalbumin and horseradish peroxidase) using the linkage of cyanuric chloride (CC). respectively. This is the first broad-specific MAb against DON and its two acetylated forms and thus it can be used for simultaneous detection of the three mycotoxins.

An immunogen synthesis strategy was designed to develop anti-deoxynivalenol (DON) monoclonal antibodies with low cross-reactivity against structurally similar trichothecenes. A total of eight different DON immunogens were synthesised, differing in the type and position of the linker on the DON molecule. After immunisation, antisera from mice immunised with different DON immunogens were checked for the presence of relevant antibodies. Then, both homologous and heterologous enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were performed for hybridoma screening. Finally, three monoclonal antibodies against DON and its analogues were generated. In addition, monoclonal antibody 13H1 could recognise DON and its analogues in the order of HT-2 toxin > 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON) > DON, with IC₅₀ ranging from 1.14 to 2.13 µg ml⁻¹. Another monoclonal antibody 10H10 manifested relatively close sensitivities to DON, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON) and 15-ADON, with IC₅₀ values of 22, 15 and 34 ng ml⁻¹, respectively. Using an indirect ELISA format decreases the 10H10 sensitivity to 15-ADON with 92%. A third monoclonal antibody 2A9 showed to be very specific and sensitive to 3-ADON, with IC₅₀ of 0.38 ng ml⁻¹. Using both 2A9 and 10H10 monoclonal antibodies allows determining sole DON contamination.