The original antibody was generated by immunizing 5-8 weeks old female BALB/c mice intraperitoneally with L-dopa melanin ghosts suspended in a 1:1 (vol/vol) emulsion of complete Freunds adjuvant. Digestion of in vitro-melanized C. neoformans cells with proteases, denaturant, and hot concentrated acid yields melanin particles that retain the shape of fungal cells and are therefore called melanin ghosts.
