Aflatoxin monoclonals: academic development to commercial production

A monoclonal antibody (mAb) has been produced to aflatoxin B1 (AF B1) after successful immunization of mice and fusion of sensitized spleen cells with myeloma cancer cells. The mice were immunized with AF B1-oxime-protein conjugate. Positive mAbs were screened using an indirect ELISA specific for AF B1. The selected mAb was then developed in direct competitive ELISA and immunoaffinity column chromatography methods for aflatoxin detection in foods and feeds. Both assays are rapid, sensitive, specific and require only the minimum of sample preparation. Both immunological assays have now been commercialized and are produced in convenient ready-made kit formats.

Evidence for human antibodies that recognize an aflatoxin epitope in groups with high and low exposure to aflatoxins

Antibody activity against an aflatoxin epitope has been detected in serum from individuals who live in Kenya and who experience high exposure to aflatoxin B1. The activity was higher than in Danish people. The highest antibody activity was found in individuals who were recently exposed to aflatoxin B1. The ratio between IgG and IgM activities was higher in individuals with a high antibody titer. The specificity of the antibody activity differed in the serums obtained from Danish and Kenyan persons ("Danish" and "Kenyan" serum, respectively). The activity in Danish serum was inhibited by an aflatoxin-like substance isolated from human urine, whereas aflatoxin B1 did not inhibit the activity. In contrast, the activity in Kenyan serum was not inhibited by the aflatoxin-like substances. Therefore, the presence of antibodies against aflatoxin in humans indicates exposure to aflatoxin or aflatoxin-antigenic material. However, the biological consequences of these antibodies remain unknown.

Aflatoxin B1 metabolism by 3-methylcholanthrene-induced hamster hepatic cytochrome P-450s

We have studied the activation of aflatoxin B1 by hamster liver microsomes and purified hamster cytochrome P-450 isozymes using a umu mutagen test. The hamster liver microsomes or S-9 fractions were much more active than rat liver microsomes or S-9 fractions in the activation of umu gene expression by aflatoxin B1 metabolites. 3-Methyl-cholanthrene treatment increased aflatoxin B1 activation by hamster liver microsomes. Two major 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible cytochrome P-450 isozymes, P-450 MC1 (IIA) and P-450 MC4 (IA2), were purified from 3-methylcholanthrene-treated hamster liver microsomes, and the metabolism of aflatoxin B1 by these two cytochromes was studied. In the reconstituted enzyme system, both P-450 MC1 and P-450 MC4 were highly active in the activation of aflatoxin B1, and antibodies against these P-450s specifically inhibited these activities. Antibody against P-450 MC1 inhibited the activation of aflatoxin B1 by 20% in the presence of 3-methyl-cholanthrene-treated hamster liver microsomes. In contrast, antibody against P-450 MC4 stimulated the activity by 175%. These results indicated that hamster P-450 MC1 might convert aflatoxin B1 to more toxic metabolite(s), whereas P-450 MC4 might convert aflatoxin B1 to less toxic metabolite(s), than aflatoxin B1 in liver microsomes. The metabolite(s) produced by both hamster cytochrome P-450 MC1 and MC4 were genotoxic in the umu mutagen test.

Time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay of aflatoxins

Preparation of purified and Eu-labeled antibodies specific for aflatoxins is described. Their use is illustrated by a solid-phase competitive time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay, results of which were correlated with those of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on use of the unmodified antibody to aflatoxin. This procedure is discussed as a quick, sensitive, and reliable immunoassay for use in mycotoxin screening in foodstuffs and body fluids.

Production and characterization of antibodies cross-reactive with major aflatoxins

Antibodies cross-reactive with 4 major aflatoxins were demonstrated three weeks after immunization of rabbits with an immunogen which was prepared by conjugating aflatoxin B3 to bovine serum albumin. Aflatoxin B3 was first converted to its hemisuccinate before conjugation to the protein. Tritiated aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was used as the marker ligand both for antibody titer determination as well as for analysis of antibody specificity. Competitive RIA revealed that the antibodies have good cross-reactivity with aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 when tritiated AFB1 was used as the marker ligand. The concentrations causing 50% inhibition of binding of 3H-AFB1 to the antibodies by unlabeled aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2 and B3 were found to be 0.25, 3.34, 0.32, 4.0 and 0.53 ng/assay, respectively. The antibodies could be used for simultaneous analysis of aflatoxins B1 and G1, two of the most important toxic metabolites produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus.

Effects of aflatoxin B1 on murine lymphocytic functions

We recently reported on the immunotoxic effects of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a secondary fungal metabolite of Aspergillus flavus in mice. The present paper describes the effect of AFB1 on cellular functions in lymphocytes after in vivo or in vitro exposures. Male BALB/c mice received 0, 0.03, 0.145 or 0.7 mg/kg body weight of AFB1 for 4 weeks. A dose-related decrease in DNA synthesis in lymphocyte cultures with or without the mitogens (lipopolysaccharide, phytohemagglutinin, pokeweed mitogen and concanavalin A) was observed. No effects on protein or ribonucleic acid synthesis were observed. There were dose-dependent decreases in peripheral leucocyte counts and natural killer cell function. Splenic lymphocytes from normal mice cultured with 10(-6) to 10(-4) M AFB1 had decreased DNA synthesis at greater than 1 X 10(-5) M, a decreased protein synthesis at 10(-4) M and decreased RNA synthesis at greater than 2.5 X 10(-5) M. In vitro addition of AFB1 (greater than 50 microM) reduced generation of concanavalin A-induced suppressor cells. The results suggest that AFB1 had a direct and complex effect on lymphocytes and there is a differential sensitivity of various subpopulations.

Immunological detection of aflatoxin B1-DNA adducts formed in vivo

Two monoclonal antibodies (6A10 and 12F5) were obtained after fusion of mouse P3X63-AG.8.653 myeloma cells with spleen cells isolated from BALB/c mice immunized with imidazole ring-opened aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-DNA and characterized by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Both antibodies are highly specific for imidazole ring opened AFB1-DNA and show some cross-reactivity with AFB1-DNA and no cross-reactivity with 8,9-dihydro-8-(7-guanyl)-9-hydroxy-AFB1, AFB1 conjugated with bovine serum albumin, aflatoxin M1 conjugated with bovine serum albumin, AFB1, or aflatoxin G1. Antibody 6A10 was further characterized and showed no cross-reactivity with DNA modified by several other carcinogens. It could detect adducts with 4-fold higher sensitivity in highly modified DNA (2.5 adducts/100 nucleotides) than in low modified DNA (4 adducts/10(5) nucleotides). With low modified DNA the limit of sensitivity is 5 adducts/10(7) nucleotides. Antibody 6A10 reliably detected adducts formed in vivo in rats and mice treated with AFB1. In a pilot study, AFB1 adducts were detected in liver tissues from individuals living in areas with suspected exposure to AFB1. Monitoring adduct levels in human tissue may provide information not only on carcinogen exposure but also on the relationship among infection with hepatitis B virus, dietary exposure to aflatoxin B1, and liver cancer.

Effect of antiserum against aflatoxin B1-bovine serum albumin complex on aflatoxin B1-induced lysogenesis

Escherichia coli K12 bacteria lysogenic for the lambda phage were used to study the effect of antiserum against aflatoxin B1-induced lysogenesis. The antiserum was obtained from rabbits immunized with water in oil emulsion of aflatoxin B1-bovine serum albumin complex (AFB1-BSA). A marked reduction in the degree of lysogenesis was observed when the antiserum was added to the reaction medium prior to microsomal enzyme activation of aflatoxin B1. There was no detectable effect when the antiserum was added after aflatoxin B1 activation. The result presented suggests that the antibodies in the AFB1-BSA antiserum can interact with aflatoxin B1 prior to its activation. This implies that an immune-protective effect can only be exerted if the antibodies intervene before activation.

Analysis of UK sera for aflatoxin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

1. Aflatoxins are toxic, carcinogenic secondary fungal metabolites produced by certain moulds that commonly infest foods. Measurement of aflatoxins in human serum would give a direct measurement of exposure. 2. Twenty-seven serum samples from UK blood donors were found to contain aflatoxin levels not greater than 64 pmol/l (20 pg/ml) by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. 3. These findings may indicate that present UK guideline tolerances for aflatoxin in imported food are effective in limiting human exposure to toxic aflatoxins in the UK diet, though further work would be needed to confirm this. In particular, sub-populations suspected of being at higher risk may need special considerations.

Substances with affinity to a monoclonal aflatoxin B1 antibody in Danish urine samples

Using a competitive enzyme immunoassay, one or more substances recognized by a monoclonal antibody against aflatoxin B1 were detected in human urine samples collected in Denmark. The concentration of urinary aflatoxin-like substances was equivalent to 0.0-6.5 ng aflatoxin B1/mg creatinine. A truly competitive interaction in the immunoassay was found between aflatoxin-like substances and aflatoxin B1. Aflatoxin-like substances could be isolated in small quantities from urine by affinity chromatography. The quantity of urinary aflatoxin-like compounds in the samples collected showed a skewed normal distribution (80 individuals). In order to explain the seemingly high level of aflatoxin-like material in urine samples from people living in a cold temperate climate, the source of aflatoxin-like compounds was investigated. In a dietary restriction study, potential dietary factors leading to excretion of aflatoxin-like compounds were investigated. Our data indicate that the excretion of these compounds by healthy Danes depends mainly on the food ingested 24-48 hr before urine samples were collected. In particular, the excretion of aflatoxin-like substances was increased when diets include beer, dairy products or meat. A map of the epitope recognized by the antibody was constructed from the results of competition studies with several AFB1 analogues. The epitope map was used to draw chemical structures representing the minimal requirements for antibody recognition. An on-line search was conducted among the 98.2 x 10(6) structures in the Chemical Abstracts and Registry Databases (STN, Columbus, OH) and provided strong evidence that only aflatoxins or aflatoxin derivatives are recognized by the antibody. The possible chemical structures of the aflatoxin-like substances are discussed.

Aflatoxin detected in human breast milk by immunoassay

Several epidemiological studies have shown a positive association between dietary exposure to aflatoxin (AF) and an increased incidence of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC). One area in which little information is available is the exposure of newborn children to AF in human breast milk. We report the development, validation and application of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to the detection of AF in human breast milk. The assay allows the quantitation of 2 pg AFM1 per ml of milk using less than 10 ml of sample. A good correlation was observed between ELISA and an hplc-fluorescence technique using naturally contaminated milk at levels up to 40 pg AF per ml. Of 54 samples collected from women in rural villages in Zimbabwe, 6 were found to be positive (11%) in ELISA with levels up to 50 pg AF per ml. No positive samples were detected out of 42 milk samples obtained from women in France. This sensitive and rapid methodology will be useful in examining the importance of and interaction between exposure to AF and infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) early in life.

Hapten-protein conjugates prepared by the mixed anhydride method. Cross-reactive antibodies in heterologous antisera

Poly-L-lysine conjugates of three structurally unrelated mycotoxins were made by either a mixed anhydride intermediate (MA) or an activated N-hydroxysuccinimide ester intermediate (AE). Control conjugates, with no mycotoxin, were also prepared by each method. Antisera elicited by mycotoxin-albumin conjugates produced by the MA method bound to the three poly-L-lysine-MA mycotoxin conjugates and the MA control conjugate , but bound only to the poly-L-lysine-AE conjugates of the homologous mycotoxin. Binding of antisera to homologous poly-L-lysine conjugates was always inhibited by free hapten when the conjugate was prepared by the AE method but not by the MA method. The specific inhibition of antibody binding by various synthetic haptens indicated that the cross-reactions associated with the MA method were due to the undesired conjugation of isobutylformate during the mixed anhydride procedure.

Aflatoxin metabolism in humans: detection of metabolites and nucleic acid adducts in urine by affinity chromatography

A high-affinity IgM monoclonal antibody specific for aflatoxins was covalently bound to Sepharose 4B and used as a preparative column to isolate aflatoxin derivatives from the urine of people and experimental animals who had been exposed to the carcinogen environmentally or under laboratory conditions. Aflatoxin levels were quantified by radioimmunoassay and high-performance liquid chromatography after elution from the affinity column. In studies on rats injected with [14C]aflatoxin B1, we identified the major aflatoxin-DNA adduct, 2,3-dihydro-2-(N7-guanyl)-3-hydroxy-aflatoxin B1 (AFB1-N7-Gua), and the oxidative metabolites M1 and P1 as the major aflatoxin species present in the urine. When this methodology was applied to human urine samples obtained from people from the Guangxi Province of China exposed to aflatoxin B1 through dietary contamination, the aflatoxin metabolites detected were also AFB1-N7-Gua and aflatoxins M1 and P1. Therefore, affinity chromatography using a monoclonal antibody represents a useful and rapid technique with which to isolate this carcinogen and its metabolites in biochemical epidemiology and for subsequent quantitative measurements, providing exposure information that can be used for risk assessment.

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against aflatoxin M1

By using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, four monoclonal antibodies were selected after fusion of mouse P3-NS1-Ag4-1 myeloma cells with spleen cells isolated from BALB/c mice that had been immunized with aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) conjugated to bovine serum albumin. Two of these antibodies were found to be specific for AFM1 and were designated AMW-1 and AMW-4. The specificities of AMW-1, which had higher affinity to AFM1, were determined by a competitive direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with peroxidase-AFM1 as the marker. The relative cross-reactivity of each toxin (relative to AFM1) with AMW-1, as determined by the amount of aflatoxin necessary to cause 50% inhibition of enzyme activity, was 12, greater than 40, 12, and greater than 40 for B1, B2, G1, and G2, respectively.

Aflatoxin B1 dihydrodiol antibody: production and specificity

A specific antibody for 2,3-dihydro-2,3-dihydroxyaflatoxin B1 (AFB1-diol) was prepared, and its reactivity was characterized for the major aflatoxin (AF) B1 (AFB1) metabolites. Reductive alkylation was used to conjugate AFB1-diol to ethylenediamine-modified bovine serum albumin (EDA-BSA) and horseradish peroxidase for use as an immunogen and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) marker, respectively. High reactant ratios, 1:5 and 1:10, for AFB1-diol-EDA-BSA (wt/wt) resulted in precipitated conjugates which were poorly immunogenic. However, a soluble conjugate obtained by using a 1:25 ratio of AFB1-diol to EDA-BSA could be used for obtaining high-titer AFB1-diol rabbit antibody within 10 weeks. Competitive ELISAs revealed that the AFB1-diol antibody detected as little as 1 pmol of AFB1-diol per assay. Cross-reactivity of AFB1-diol antibody in the competitive ELISA with AF analogs was as follows: AFB1-diol, 100%; AFB1, 200%; AFM1, 130%; AFB2a, 100%; AFG1, 6%; AFG2, 4%; aflatoxicol, 20%; AFQ1, 2%; AFB1-modified DNA, 32%; and 2,3-dihydro-2-(N7-guanyl)-3-hydroxy AFB1, 0.6%. These data indicated that the cyclopentanone and methoxy moieties of the AF molecule were the primary epitopes for the AFB1-diol antibody. The AFB1-diol competitive ELISA was subject to substantial interference by human, rat, and mouse serum albumins but not by BSA, Tris, human immunoglobulin G, or lysozyme. By using a noncompetitive, indirect ELISA with an AFB1-modified DNA solid phase, a modification level of one AFB1 residue for 200,000 nucleotides could be determined.

Production and characterization of antibody against aflatoxin Q1

Antibodies against aflatoxin Q1 (AFQ1) were obtained from rabbits after immunization of either AFQ1-hemisuccinate or AFQ2a conjugated to bovine serum albumin. Both radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assaY (ELISA) were used for the determination of antibody titers and specificities. Antibodies obtained from rabbits after immunization with AFQ1-hemisuccinate-bovine serum albumin had the highest affinity to aflatoxin B1, whereas antibodies obtained from rabbits after immunization with AFQ2a-bovine serum albumin bound most effectively with AFQ2a. AFQ2a antibody was selected for the subsequent direct and indirect ELISA for the detection of AFQ1 in biological fluids. When AFQ2a-peroxidase and AFQ2a antibody were used, direct ELISA was able to detect as low as 2 ppb (ng/ml) of AFQ1 spiked in the urine samples that had been subjected to a Sep-Pak cleanup treatment. In indirect ELISA in which the antigen (AFQ2a-bovine serum albumin) was coated to the solid phase followed by reaction with rabbit antibody and goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G-peroxidase conjugate, 50-fold less antibody was used without sacrificing sensitivity. Recoveries of AFQ1 added to urine samples (2 to 40 ppb) were 46.3 to 73% and 65.8 to 85.8% for direct and indirect ELISA, respectively.

Reduction of covalent binding of aflatoxin B1 to rabbit liver DNA after immunization against this carcinogen

The covalent binding of [3H]aflatoxin B1 (AF) to liver DNA was determined, 6 h after oral administration to male rabbits. A Covalent Binding Index, CBI (mumol AF/mol DNA-P)/(mmol AF/kg b.w.) = 8,500 was found. Pretreatment of rabbits with AF coupled to bovine serum albumin in Freund's adjuvant led to the production of AF-directed antibodies. Administration of [3H]AF to such immunized rabbits resulted in a CBI of only 2,500, i.e., the immunization provided a protection by a factor of more than 3. Although this is encouraging evidence for the potential of active immunization against genotoxic carcinogens, a number of points will have to be clarified, such as the time course for the DNA binding and the question of a possible shift to other target cells.

Preparation of aflatoxin B1-BSA conjugate with high hapten/carrier molar ratio

We reported previously on the properties of an anti-aflatoxin B1 (AFB) antiserum raised with a conjugate in which AFB is coupled at the C8 position to bovine serum albumin (BSA). The hapten/carrier protein molar ratio of the conjugate was 14. We have since been able to optimize the coupling conditions, resulting in the preparation of another conjugate, with a molar ratio of 45. Comparison of the 2 conjugates by double-gel immunodiffusion analysis shows that little BSA 'activity' remains on the conjugate with a high molar ratio; on the other hand, its capacity to precipitate in the presence of anti-AFB antibodies is increased.

Indirect immunoperoxidase localization of aflatoxin B1 in rat liver

Aflatoxin B2a (AFB2a) antibody was used as a histochemical probe in the indirect immunoperoxidase localization of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) bound to rat liver. The efficacy of the indirect method was initially demonstrated by detecting AFB1 covalently bound to DNA in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. AFB1-modified DNA was attached to a polystyrene microtissue culture plate (solid phase) and then subjected to sequential incubation with AFB2a antiserum followed by goat anti-rabbit peroxidase conjugate. Assays for bound peroxidase revealed that the AFB2a antiserum could be diluted 200,000-fold and still yield a signal-to-noise ratio of 10 when compared to an unmodified DNA control. When the same indirect immunoperoxidase protocol was applied to the light-microscopic localization of AFB1 in liver sections of rats treated in vivo with the mycotoxin, bound toxin could be identified in excellent detail in tissues fixed with periodate-lysine-paraformaldehyde and embedded in glycol methacrylate, but was detectable with only poor resolution in unfixed cryostat sections. Peroxidase-positive reactions in hepatocytes typically exhibited strong nuclear and relatively lighter cytoplasmic staining. Greater concentrations of peroxidase-positive hepatocytes were detected in the periportal area than in the area of the central vein, suggesting a circulatory pattern for AFB1 binding in the liver.

Reactivity of aflatoxin B2a antibody with aflatoxin B1-modified DNA and related metabolites

Aflatoxin B2a (AFB2a) antiserum has been previously used in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the quantitation of AFB1 and AFB2a. The present investigation examined the reactivity of the antiserum toward those adducts and metabolites of AFB1 believed to play a major role in aflatoxicosis and carcinogenesis. 2,3-Dihydro-2-(N7-guanyl)-3-hydroxyaflatoxin B1 (AFB1-N7-Gua), the putative 2,3-(N5-formyl-2-2', 5',6'-triamino-4-oxo-N5-pyrimidyl)-3-hydroxyaflatoxin B1 (AFB1-FAPyr), 2,3-dihydro-2,3-dihydroxyaflatoxin B1 (AFB1-diol), AFB1-N7-Gua-modified DNA, and AFB1-FAPyr-modified DNA were prepared by in vitro incubation or chemical methods and subjected to competitive AFB2a ELISA. The antiserum showed significant reactivity with all five compounds, indicating that it had a high degree of specificity for both the cyclopentenone and the methoxy group of the parent aflatoxin molecule. Sensitivity for AFB-N7-Gua-modified DNA, AFB1-FAPyr-modified DNA, and AFB1-diol by the ELISA method was 0.1 pmol per assay. To test the applicability of immunological detection of covalent binding of AFB1 to DNA, the ELISA was compared with a conventional radioisotopic assay in two in vitro studies. The results showed that estimates of the kinetics and substrate dependence of covalent binding to calf thymus DNA in rat microsomal incubation mixtures by both methods were comparable. The broad specificity AFB2a antibody might be of considerable value in the detection of AFB1 macromolecular adducts and related metabolites in epidemiological investigations or in the diagnosis of aflatoxicosis.

Production of monoclonal antibodies to guanine imidazole ring-opened aflatoxin B1DNA, the persistent DNA adduct in vivo

Monoclonal antibodiess were produced following immunisation of mice with guanine imidazole ring-opened aflatoxin B1 DNA (iro AFB1 DNA), coupled electrostatically to methylated keyhole limpet haemocyanin. Three monoclonal hybridoma lines producing antibodies specific for iro AFB1 DNA were grown as ascites tumours and suitable dilutions of the ascitic fluid (1:8000-1:50,000) used in a competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure reactivity of the antibodies to a variety of aflatoxin and nucleic acid-related compounds. These antibodies recognise AFB1 bound to DNA at levels 10(4)-10(5) times lower concentration than unmodified calf thymus DNA or 8,9-dihydro-8,9-dihydroxy-aflatoxin B1: and show 2-5 times the affinity to iro AFB1 DNA compared to AFB1 DNA. The concentration of AFB1 in iro AFB1 DNA producing 50% inhibition in a competitive ELISA was 1.8 x 10(-7) molar. Using the most sensitive hybridoma line, levels of 1 adduct in 300,000 nucleotides would be detectable, which is the level of binding found in the rat and the hamster in vivo. These monoclonal antibodie should therefore prove useful in detecting these lesions in animal and human tissue samples exposed to aflatoxins.

Monoclonal antibody to aflatoxin B1-modified DNA detected by enzyme immunoassay

Monoclonal antibodies were obtained after fusion of mouse P3 X 63 myeloma cells with spleen cells isolated from BALB/c mice that had been immunized with aflatoxin B1-adducted DNA complexed with methylated bovine serum albumin. Selected hybridomas were found to produce monoclonal antibodies specific for aflatoxin B1-modified DNA containing both the 2,3-dihydro-2-(N7-guanyl)-3-hydroxyaflatoxin B1 and the putative 2,3-dihydro-2-(N5-formyl-2',5',6'-triamino-4'oxo-N5-pyrimidyl) -3-hydroxyaflatoxin B1, suggesting that these DNA adducts share a common antigenic determinant. The monoclonal antibody was not reactive towards the free aflatoxin B1-guanine adducts in solution, seven other aflatoxin derivatives, or benzo[a]pyrene-adducted DNA. A noncompetitive ultrasensitive enzyme radioimmunoassay could measure 15 fmol of aflatoxin B1-DNA adducts in 10 ng of DNA and was at least 100-fold more sensitive than the standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with these monoclonal antibodies reliably quantitated aflatoxin B1 adducted in vivo to rat liver DNA at adduct levels of one aflatoxin B1 residue per 250,000 nucleotides. The competitive ultrasensitive enzyme radioimmunoassay was determined to be at least 6-fold more sensitive than the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in analysis of aflatoxin B1-adducted DNA. Therefore, enzyme immunoassay using monoclonal antibodies will be useful analytical tools for studying both the molecular interactions of aflatoxin B1 with DNA and the occurrence of aflatoxin B1-DNA adducts in biological specimens from people exposed to this environmental carcinogen.