Production of antibody to tetanus toxoid by continuous human lymphoblastoid cell lines

Identification of Human SARS-CoV-2 Monoclonal Antibodies from Convalescent Patients Using EBV Immortalization

We report the isolation of two human IgG1k monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. These mAbs were isolated from two donors who had recovered from COVID-19 infection during the first pandemic peak in the Lombardy region of Italy, the first European and initially most affected region in March 2020. We used the method of EBV immortalization of purified memory B cells and supernatant screening with a spike S1/2 assay for mAb isolation. This method allowed rapid isolation of clones, with one donor showing about 7% of clones positive against spike protein, whereas the other donor did not produce positive clones out of 91 tested. RNA was extracted from positive clones 39-47 days post-EBV infection, allowing VH and VL sequencing. The same clones were sequenced again after a further 100 days in culture, showing that no mutation had taken place during in vitro expansion. The B cell clones could be expanded in culture for more than 4 months after EBV immortalization and secreted the antibodies stably during that time, allowing to purify mg quantities of each mAb for functional assays without generating recombinant proteins. Unfortunately, neither mAb had significant neutralizing activity in a virus infection assay with several different SARS-CoV-2 isolates. The antibody sequences are made freely available.

Antibiotic Therapy of Plague: A Review

Plague-a deadly disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis-is still an international public health concern. There are three main clinical forms: bubonic plague, septicemic plague, and pulmonary plague. In all three forms, the symptoms appear suddenly and progress very rapidly. Early antibiotic therapy is essential for countering the disease. Several classes of antibiotics (e.g., tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, sulfonamides, chloramphenicol, rifamycin, and β-lactams) are active in vitro against the majority of Y. pestis strains and have demonstrated efficacy in various animal models. However, some discrepancies have been reported. Hence, health authorities have approved and recommended several drugs for prophylactic or curative use. Only monotherapy is currently recommended; combination therapy has not shown any benefits in preclinical studies or case reports. Concerns about the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains of Y. pestis have led to the development of new classes of antibiotics and other therapeutics (e.g., LpxC inhibitors, cationic peptides, antivirulence drugs, predatory bacteria, phages, immunotherapy, host-directed therapy, and nutritional immunity). It is difficult to know which of the currently available treatments or therapeutics in development will be most effective for a given form of plague. This is due to the lack of standardization in preclinical studies, conflicting data from case reports, and the small number of clinical trials performed to date.

Monoclonal Antibodies as an Antibacterial Approach Against Bacterial Pathogens

In the beginning of the 21st century, the frequency of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has reached an apex, where even 4th and 5th generation antibiotics are becoming useless in clinical settings. In turn, patients are suffering from once-curable infections, with increases in morbidity and mortality. The root cause of many of these infections are the ESKAPEE pathogens (Enterococcus species, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter species, and Escherichia coli), which thrive in the nosocomial environment and are the bacterial species that have seen the largest rise in the acquisition of antibiotic resistance genes. While traditional small-molecule development still dominates the antibacterial landscape for solutions to AMR, some researchers are now turning to biological approaches as potential game changers. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs)—more specifically, human monoclonal antibodies (Hu-mAbs)—have been highly pursued in the anti-cancer, autoimmune, and antiviral fields with many success stories, but antibody development for bacterial infection is still just scratching the surface. The untapped potential for Hu-mAbs to be used as a prophylactic or therapeutic treatment for bacterial infection is exciting, as these biologics do not have the same toxicity hurdles of small molecules, could have less resistance as they often target virulence proteins rather than proteins required for survival, and are narrow spectrum (targeting just one pathogenic species), therefore avoiding the disruption of the microbiome. This mini-review will highlight the current antibacterial mAbs approved for patient use, the success stories for mAb development, and new Hu-mAb products in the antibacterial pipeline.

Analysis of the Human Immune Repertoire using Human Monoclonal Antibodies

The investigations of the human immune response to cancer and other diseases have been hampered by the difficulty in determining the specificity of low-titered antibodies in serum, and the inability to define the specificity of individual lymphocytes. In order to study these issues, we developed the hybridoma technology so that human monoclonal antibodies (hMAb) could be reliably and reproducibly obtained.

Using a variety of fusion partners of both mouse and human origin, a large number of human immunoglobulin-secreting hybrids have been generated. We have found that 5 to 10% of the hybridomas produced secrete hMAb reactive with antigens (Ag) expressed by human cells. Specificity analysis and cellular localization studies of the Ag have been performed for a large number of these hMAb, and several general points have emerged from our study: (A) A significant proportion of the evaluable B-cell repertoire is directed to the production of antibodies reactive with Ags expressed by human cells. (B) The great majority of these Ags have an intracellular location, and are broadly distributed, being expressed by both normal and malignant cells. (C) Intracellular and cell surface differentiation Ags and other Ags with restricted distribution have been defined by hMAb, including a series of cell surface and intracellular Ags not detected on normal cells. (D) The relationship of these findings to cancer is unclear as hMAb showing distinctive distributions have been generated from the lymphocytes of normal individuals as well as tumor-bearing patients. (E) hMAb with distributions distinct from any known mouse monoclonal antibodies (mMAb) have been obtained. These reagents may hold great promise for antibody-directed in vivo diagnosis and therapy of cancer and other diseases due to their unique specificity and decreased immunogenicity compared with mMAb.

Human lymphoblastoid cell line producing specific antibody against Rh-antigen D

A lymphoblastoid cell line producing specific anti-Rh antibody against D determinant was established by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. The lymphocytes were from an immunized male donor with high titre of anti-D antibody. The cells were preselected by rosetting them with Rh-positive erythrocytes before EBV infection. The cell line produced specific antibody of IgG class, namely IgG1 subclass, but it also produced nonspecific IgM and IgG. By rerosetting the cell line, the specific antibody-producing population could be enriched and the antibody titre increased in the culture supernatant to the level of immune sera.

Anti-bacterial antibodies in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed oligoclonal B-cell lines established from normal persons and autoimmune disease patients

We have established 950 and 430 oligoclonal B-lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) from two normal persons and eight autoimmune disease patients, respectively by using Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-induced transformation. To re-evaluate the EBV technique for production of human monoclonal antibodies (mAb) related to infectious disease, we screened these oligoclonal LCLs for antibodies against 31 bacterial strains systematically. A total of 74 cultures out of 1380 were reactive to a total of 18 strains out of 31. Among these, eight cultures showed 10(-3) antibody (Ab) titers to Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotypes C, E, F and I, Staphylococcus aureus, Serratia marcescens and Bacillus cereus. Ten cultures showed 10(-2) Ab titers to Ps. aeruginosa serotypes D, E, F and I, Ps. maltophilia, Staph. epidermidis, Klebsiella ozaenae, Ser. marcescens and B. subtilis. The results reveal the further possibilities for the EBV technique to produce various infectious disease-related human mAbs.

Further analyses of epitopes for human monoclonal anti-basement membrane zone antibodies produced by stable human hybridoma cell lines constructed with Epstein-Barr virus transformants

We previously established Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed bullous pemphigoid (BP) patient lymphoblastoid cell lines, which produced human monoclonal anti-basement membrane zone antibodies. In the present study, we established two independent human-human hybridomas by fusion of these EBV transformants with a human B-cell line. These hybridomas, designated 5E-HY-4B and 10D-HY-8B, were very stable and showed a high yield of monoclonal antibody (MoAb) secretion. Each cell line was tetraploid and showed combined rearranged segments of immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene derived from both an EBV transformant and a parent cell. Immunoblot analysis showed that the 5E-HY-4B MoAb recognized the 230-kDa BP antigen but that the 10D-HY-8B MoAb did not show any reactivity. In contrast, both MoAbs precipitated the 230-kDa BP antigen with immunoprecipitation. These results indicate that the two MoAbs reacted with different epitopes on the 230-kDa BP antigen: a continuous epitope for the 5E-HY-4B MoAb and a conformation-dependent epitope for the 10D-HY-8B MoAb. This speculation was confirmed at the molecular level by the result that the fusion protein produced by a partial cDNA for the 230-kDa mouse BP antigen reacted with the 5E-HY-4B MoAb but not with the 10D-HY-8B MoAb. Furthermore, the study of the reactivity with fusion proteins of a series of deleted clones restricted the epitope for the 5E-HY-4B MoAb within the region with 114 amino acid residues in the C-terminal domain of the 230-kDa BP antigen.

Characteristics of toxin-neutralization by anti-tetanus human monoclonal antibodies directed against the three functional domains [A], [B] and [C] of the tetanus toxin molecule and a reliable method for evaluating the protective effects of monoclonal antibodies

Five anti-tetanus human monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) produced by hybrid cell lines we established previously were characterized. Their abilities to neutralize tetanus toxin in vitro and to protect mice against challenge with toxin were studied by observing the changes in the progress of symptoms in mice. Immunostaining showed that MAbs MAb-G4 and G2 recognized the N-terminal domain, [A] and the C-terminal domain, [C] of the tetanus toxin molecule, respectively, while MAbs MAb-G1, G3 and G6 recognized its middle domain, [B]. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that the binding affinity of MAb-G3 was 2.9 x 10(10) M-1 and those of the other MAbs were as high as approximately 10(11) M-1. In in vitro neutralization experiments, at sufficient doses all the MAbs as single reagents protected mice completely against the effect of tetanus toxin. However, at lower doses than those sufficient to rescue mice, the kinetic patterns of progress of symptoms with the individual MAbs differed with each other and, except for MAb-G4, were different from that of anti-tetanus human polyclonal antibody. They suppressed the development and/or slowed the rate of progress of symptoms for over 96 h and delayed death of the mice. We propose that the comparison of the minimum survival dose with that of human polyclonal antibody of known international units is a reliable method for estimating the actual protective activity of a MAb. Intravenous (IV) injection of doses of individual MAbs or their mixtures at over 0.03 IU per mouse protected mice from subsequent challenge with 20 MLD of tetanus toxin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A solid-phase enzyme immunoassay for the detection of tetanus toxin using human and murine monoclonal antibodies

Three human and three murine monoclonal antibodies were tested for their reactivity to tetanus toxin and toxoid and used to establish an enzyme immunoassay specific for tetanus toxin. The dissociation constants of the monoclonal antibodies were between 3.91 x 10(-9) and 8.48 x 10(-12). Two human monoclonal antibodies recognized conformation determinants on the toxin, whereas the others reacted to the heavy chain. Only a combination of antibodies of the two species allowed the development of an enzyme immunoassay for the detection of tetanus toxin with a lower detection limit of 1.2 micrograms/l.

Establishment of stable mouse/human-human hybrid cell lines producing large amounts of anti-tetanus human monoclonal antibodies with high neutralizing activity

To establish stable hybrid cell lines producing human anti-tetanus antibody with high toxin-neutralizing activity, peripheral lymphocytes from humans hyperimmunized with tetanus toxoid were, after in vitro antigen stimulation, fused with a mouse/human heteromyeloma or human lymphoblastoid cell line and cloned. Unlike the IgM secretors (six clones), the IgG secretors we obtained (six clones) produced anti-tetanus human monoclonal antibodies with high neutralizing activity (the highest one, cell line G2, 4.3 IU/100 micrograms IgG). Appropriate combinations of three or four kinds of monoclonal antibodies of the IgG type resulted in markedly increased neutralizing activity comparable with that of anti-tetanus human polyclonal immunoglobulin preparations currently used clinically on the basis of toxin-specific IgG content. Five of these cell lines produced 10-20 micrograms of antibody per ml for more than 3 months. The cell line G2 produced 6 mg of antibody per day in serum-free medium in a 500-ml bioreactor in perfusion culture and 13-104 mg in a nude mouse. These cell lines satisfied, for the first time, the minimal requirements for applying human monoclonal antibodies to clinical use.

Characterization of three human monoclonal antibodies specific for polymorphic class I and class II HLA antigens

Three human monoclonal antibodies were derived from a single polytransfused patient awaiting renal transplantation. In microcitotoxicity assays, the patient's serum displayed strong positive reactions against greater than 90% of a panel of cells representing the known HLA specificities. The donor's peripheral blood lymphocytes were infected with Epstein-Barr virus, cloned, and supernatants of the virus transformed cultures were screened for the presence of IgG antilymphocyte reactivity utilizing an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Positive cultures were recloned and fused with the human-mouse heteromyeloma SHM. Supernatants from three clones were selected for alloreactivity and characterized by indirect immunofluorescent staining and fluoroactivated cell sorter analysis on homozygous typing cells, including those from the Tenth International Histocompatibility Workshop core panel and on cell lines derived from selected families. Data obtained demonstrate that two human monoclonal antibodies have DQw1 specificity, one of them being reactive against several DQw7-positive cell lines, while one monoclonal antibody is specific for the A2 + A28 class I MHC antigens. Anti-DQw1 antibodies were of different light-chain subtypes.

Development of new cell lines for animal cell biotechnology

Mammalian cell culture has been an important technique in laboratory-scale experimentation for many decades. Developments in large-scale culture have been due to the need to grow large numbers of cells to support the growth of viruses for vaccine production, and more recently, for growing hybridoma cells as a source of monoclonal antibody. Increasingly, however, pharmaceutical products such as hormones, enzymes, growth factors, and clotting factors are being produced from cell lines which have been manipulated by recombinant DNA techniques. It is clear, therefore, that the high cost of growing mammalian cells on a large scale does not necessarily prohibit their use for biotechnology, and indeed there is considerable evidence to suggest that animal cell biotechnology will continue to be a major growth area in the future.

Drug delivery systems--2. Site-specific drug delivery utilizing monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) are purified antibodies produced by a single clone of cells. They are engineered to recognize and bind to a single specific antigen. Accordingly, when administered, MAbs home in on a particular circulating protein or on cells that bear the correct antigenic signature on their surfaces. It is the specificity of MAbs that has made them valuable tools for health professions. Following the discovery of Kohler and Milstein regarding the method of somatic cell hybridization, a number of investigators have successfully adopted this technique to obtain T-lymphocyte hybrid cell lines by fusion of activated T (thymus derived) lymphocytes with a T lymphoma cell line leading to an immortalization of a specific differentiated function. The hybrids thus obtained were subsequently shown to produce homogeneous effector molecules with a wide variety of immune functions such as enhancement or suppression of antibody responses, generation of helper T cells, suppressor T cells and cytotoxic T cells. Study of these regulatory molecules has been further shown to provide a greater insight into the genetic, biochemical and molecular mechanisms responsible for cellular development, and the interaction and triggering of various cell types. The successful application of hybridoma technology has now resulted into several advances in the understanding the mechanism and treatment of diseases, especially cancer and development of vaccines, promotion of organ transplantation and therapy against parasites as well. Since monoclonal antibodies could be made in unlimited supply, they have been used in genetic studies such as mRNA and gene isolation, chromosomal isolation of specific genes, immunoglobulin structure, detection of new or rare immunoglobulin gene products, structural studies of enzymes and other proteins and structural and population studies of protein polymorphisms. In some instances, the monoclonal antibodies have been found to replace conventional antisera for studies of chromosome structure and function, gene mapping, embryogenesis, characterization and biosynthesis of developmental and differentiation antigens. These antigens are those that are specific for various cell types and tissues, species specific antigen, antigens involved in chemotaxis, immunogenetics and clinical genetics including genetically inherited disorders, chromosome aberrations and transplantation antigens. Besides these monoclonal antibodies, their complexes have recently been investigated as exquisitely sensitive probes to be guided to target cells or organs. They have been used to deliver cytotoxic drugs to malignant cells or enzymes to specific cell types.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Stability of specific immunoglobulin secretion by EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cells and human-murine heterohybridomas

We have examined variables leading to the generation of stable, antigen-specific, human immunoglobulin-secreting cell lines. Peripheral blood B lymphocytes enriched for Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (T antigen)-specific cells were transformed with Epstein-Barr virus. Lymphoblastoid cells (LC) reactive with T antigen were either expanded without cloning or cloned at limiting dilution and then fused with murine 653 cells. Uncloned LCs from three transformations secreting polyclonal anti-T antibody (7-18 micrograms/ml/10(6) cells/24 hr total immunoglobulin) were subcultured at 100 cells/well, and T antigen-reactive cultures pooled. These cultures quickly lost specific antibody secretion, presumably due to overgrowth by clones of unknown specificity. T antigen-reactive LCs that were cloned three times at limiting dilution secreted 0.2 - 6.1 micrograms/ml/10(6) cells/24 hr but died or stopped secreting specific immunoglobulin after 77 to 155 days in culture. Pooling T antigen-reactive clones after each cloning step did not increase the long term stability compared to unpooled clones (p = 0.2). Fusions between cloned LCs and 653 cells failed to yield viable hybrids in nine of ten attempts with seven different LC lines. In contrast, fusion of uncloned LCs and 653 cells resulted in the generation of viable immunoglobulin-secreting heterohybrids in 22 of 24 fusions. The heterohybridomas produced from fusion of uncloned T antigen-reactive cultures with 653 cells secreted significantly more antibody (frequency of cell lines secreting greater than 2 micrograms/ml/10(6) cells/24 hr, p less than 0.01) and higher titers of antibody (frequency of cell lines secreting greater than four hemagglutination units of T antigen-specific antibody, p less than 0.03) than cloned lymphoblastoid cells. The hybrids maintained specific immunoglobulin secretion for longer in culture than either cloned or uncloned lymphoblastoid cell lines (p less than 0.001).

Immunoelectron microscopic demonstration of antigenic sites on lymphoid cells using a human monoclonal antibody (Ha6D3)

The reactivity of a human monoclonal antibody directed against human B and T lymphocytes was tested for the first time at the ultrastructural level. The antigenic sites detected by this antibody were localized on the surface membrane of lymphocytes and, to a lesser extent, in the cytoplasm on membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum and perinuclear envelop of some centroblasts and immunoblasts. Ultrastructural demonstration of target antigen detected by human monoclonal antibodies may be important prior to therapeutic application of these antibodies.

Human monoclonal antibodies against blood group antigens. Preparation of a series of stable EBV immortalized B clones producing high levels of antibody of different isotypes and specificities

The EBV immortalization technique was used to produce stable clones, from B lymphocytes, secreting human monoclonal antibodies to Rh(D), Rh(G), Rh(c), Rh(E), Kell, A and A1 blood group antigens. These clones were obtained from peripheral blood lymphocytes of hyperimmunized plasmapheresis donors or from spleen lymphocytes of immunized patients. Mean levels of antibody concentration varied between 4 and 50 micrograms/ml. The antibodies obtained were of IgG1, IgG2, IgM or IgA class. Most of the clones have been stable for growth and antibody production during long periods of continuous culture, extending upto 4 years. Hybridization of two clones was effected with the human lymphoblastoid cell line KR-4 and with the mouse myeloma X63-Ag8.653, but did not result in any marked improvement of clone characteristics. One of the anti-Rh(D)-producing EBV-transformed clones was used to produce an anti-Rh(D) typing reagent which has proved satisfactory for 2 years in routine blood typing in several laboratories.

Prolongation of cell cycle transit time and the presence of non-cycling cells in human lymphoblastoid cells cultured under adverse conditions

The growth characteristics of B lymphocytes infected with Epstein-Barr virus (lymphoblastoid cells) have been investigated by flow cytometric analysis of DNA content and by estimation of cell culture doubling times. It was found that the manipulative procedures involved in the cell cycle analysis resulted in a slowing of the growth rate. This slowing of growth was brought about by the prolongation of cell cycle transit times and by the entry of cells into a short-lived non-cycling pool. The entry of a proportion of the cells into the non-cycling pool may be the normal response of lymphoblastoid cells to non-optimal conditions. The non-cycling cells survived in culture with a T 1/2 of approximately 30-60 hr and continued to secrete immunoglobulin. Their surface transferrin receptors were considerably reduced, which suggests that the failure to divide may have resulted from a failure of growth factor receptors to reach a threshold value following mitosis.

Establishment of hybridoma secreting human monoclonal antibody against hepatitis B virus surface antigen

The HAT (hypoxanthine, aminopterin, thymidine) sensitive and ouabain resistant human B lymphoblastoid cell line TAW-925 was obtained from 6-thioguanine resistant B lymphoblastoid cell line WI-L2. Hybridomas were obtained at a high frequency (10(-4)-10(-5) when TAW-925 was hybridized with cells transformed with Epstein-Barr virus. Using TAW-925 as a parental cell line, we have obtained a hybridoma which stably secretes human monoclonal antibody against hepatitis B virus surface antigen.

IgG anti-tetanus toxoid antibody production induced by Epstein-Barr virus from B cells of human marrow transplant recipients

This investigation shows that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-activated human B cells from marrow transplant recipients can produce in vitro IgG anti-tetanus toxoid antibody (anti-TT) without booster immunizations with tetanus toxoid (TT). Purified B cells (E-rosette negative) from 8 normal subjects, 6 healthy long-term marrow graft recipients, and 15 long-term marrow graft recipients with chronic graft-vs-host disease (GVHD), were stimulated for 12 days with EBV to induce anti-TT production in culture supernatants. The amount of anti-TT in culture supernatants was quantitated using a enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. B cells from all 8 normal controls produced in vitro IgG anti-TT after EBV stimulation. Five of 6 healthy recipients had B cells that produced anti-TT after EBV stimulation. Four of 15 recipients with chronic GVHD had B cells capable of producing anti-TT after EBV stimulation. The number of cultures making anti-TT responses was less in those with chronic GVHD than in those without chronic GVHD or normal individuals (P less than 0.001). B cells from patients with chronic GVHD had fewer responses exceeding the overall median of 0.7 ng/ml when compared with the other two groups (P less than 0.03). These data show that B cells of donor origin can produce in vitro IgG anti-TT antibody to tetanus toxoid antigen in a T-independent fashion.

Monoclonal antibodies to acetylcholine receptor secreted by human x human hybridomas derived from lymphocytes of a patient with myasthenia gravis

Peripheral blood lymphocytes of a patient with myasthenia gravis (MG) were fused to the non-secreting human lymphoblastoid line HuNSI to produce human x human hybridomas that secrete monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to acetylcholine receptor (AChR). Screening of hybridomas for antibody production involved an enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assay with AChR from Torpedo californica (TAChR). 25 of 302 wells tested (8.3%) were positive for anti-AChR antibody production and have been stable in their secretion of mAb for eleven months. Nine lines have been studied in detail. All produced IgM mAb, and most had greater activity against membrane-bound TAChR, than against solubilized TAChR. For anti-AChR clones, the mAb concentration in culture supernatants ranged from 2 to 33 micrograms/ml. Saturation curves of binding to TAChR performed on 4 lines demonstrated dissociation constants (Kds) estimated to range from 0.1-1.0 nM. The patient whose lymphocytes were used in this study had a serum anti-AChR antibody concentration of 243nM against human AChR and 15nM against AChR from T. californica. The results demonstrate the feasibility of producing stable human x human hybridomas secreting mAb to the autoantigen from the peripheral blood of patients with organ-specific autoimmune diseases. The mAb produced here may prove to be useful in analyzing, and possibly treating, the autoimmune phenomena in MG.

Studies on in vitro production of Paul-Bunnell antibodies

Two cell lines secreting Paul-Bunnell antibodies were established by means of Epstein-Barr virus-induced immortalization of B lymphocytes from patients with infectious mononucleosis. Progressive loss of antibody production, most probably due to a shutdown of antibody secretion by individual cells was, however, observed. The first of the established cell lines lost its secretion ability after 10 weeks, and the second after 33 weeks of culture. Further improvements of the technique are necessary to stabilize the antibody secretion.

Human monoclonal antibody to purified protein derivative of tuberculin produced by hybrids constructed with Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B lymphocytes and mouse myeloma cells

A method of producing human monoclonal antibody by combining somatic cell hybridization technology with the capability of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) to transform human B lymphocytes is described. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from a donor with positive tuberculin skin test reaction were transformed by EBV and then tested for antibody production to mycobacterial purified protein derivative (PPD) by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Two EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines making IgM antibodies to PPD were obtained. One of these cell lines was fused by polyethylene glycol with a murine hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase-deficient myeloma cell line that had been selected for resistance to ouabain. The human-mouse hybrids were selected in ouabain-containing HAT medium and 11 heterohybridomas producing IgM antibody to PPD were obtained. One of these was cloned by limiting dilution with efficiency at least 20-fold higher than parent EBV-transformed cell line. Heterohybridoma subclones reached levels of IgM antibody as high as 75.0 micrograms/ml of culture medium, whereas IgM production of EBV-transformed B cell clones ranged between 3.0 and 4.0 micrograms/ml.

Protection of mice against tetanus toxin by combination of two human monoclonal antibodies recognizing distinct epitopes on the toxin molecule

Human B-lymphocytes were fused with the human lymphoblastoid B-cell line WI-L2-729 HF2. Hybridoma frequencies were in the range of 10(-5) when the mononuclear cells were (a) prestimulated with pokeweed mitogen (PWM), (b) fused with polyethyleneglycol (PEG), and (c) selected in a hypoxanthine-azaserine (HAza) containing medium. To generate monoclonal antibodies (MAb) specific for tetanus toxin (TToxin) human spleen cells were precultured with PWM plus tetanus toxoid (TToxoid) in two separate fusions. Two hybridomas were selected based on high binding activity using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for TToxoid. Both hybridomas, cloned twice and designated anti-TT1 and anti-TT2, exhibited a near tetraploid karyotype and showed stable production of antibody (0.15 micrograms/ml) over several months. Using ELISA for fragments of TToxin and the immunoblotting technique, the two IgG1 monoclonal antibodies were found to bind to the heavy chain portion of the B-fragment (anti-TT1) and on the C-fragment (anti-TT2) of the toxin. When tested in an ELISA with TToxin the combination of anti-TT1 and anti-TT2 showed higher binding activity than either reagent alone. In an in vivo neutralization assay mice were completely protected against TToxin by the combination of the two antibodies while either antibody alone resulted only in a delay of death of the mice. These findings demonstrate that a cocktail of appropriate human monoclonal antibodies can be far superior to a single reagent when used in a therapeutic setting.

Establishment of hybridomas secreting human monoclonal antibodies against tetanus toxin and hepatitis B virus surface antigen

Mouse-human heterohybrids (M X H) were constructed and compared with other cell lines (human or mouse) as parental cells to obtain hybrids secreting human monoclonal antibody (MoAb). One of the M X H lines, HM-5, was far superior to the others and useful for establishing hybrids secreting human MoAb. Using HM-5 as a parental cell line, we have obtained 2 hybrids secreting human anti-tetanus toxoid MoAb with neutralizing activity and a hybrid secreting human anti-hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) MoAb which recognizes the a-determinant of HBsAg.

Human monoclonal antibodies produced by Epstein-Barr virus transformed cell lines bind protein A

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a polyclonal T-independent activator of viral receptor positive human B lymphocytes. Lymphocytes infected in vitro with the virus are transformed into immortalized cell lines [Nilsson, K, and Klein, G. (1982) Adv. Cancer Res. 37, 319]. In this way human cell lines that secrete specific IgM, IgG and IgA monoclonal antibodies are established. Protein A is also a polyclonal T-independent B cell activator [Langone, J. J. (1982) Adv. Immunol. 32, 157], the targets of which are surface immunoglobulin and C3d receptor positive cells, as are the targets of EBV. We found that almost all (16 out of 17) of the specific monoclonal antibodies (IgM, IgG and IgA) produced in vitro by EBV cell lines bind protein A. Unlike these in vitro produced antibodies, a substantial fraction of the immunoglobulins in human serum does not bind protein A. Thus, those plasma cells which in vivo secrete protein A nonbinding immunoglobulins originate from precursors of B cell that were EBV noninfective. Alternatively, during in vivo B differentiation some immunoglobulins undergo a change from protein A binding to protein A nonbinding molecules.

Human monoclonal antibodies: methods of production and some aspects of their application in oncology

The currently available methods for the production of human monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) are: mouse-human hybrids, human-human hybrids, EBV transformation, and fusion of EBV-transformed specific B-lymphocytes with a malignant cell line. Each method has its advantages and drawbacks, but they are all inferior to an optimal functioning mouse hybridoma system. A significant obstacle is the lack of a reproducible method to obtain high amounts of antigen-specific B-lymphocytes. However, it seems that newly developed in vitro antigen-priming methods may be a significant aid to the solution of this problem. Human Mabs have already been obtained against some types of human cancer, and the reactivity pattern has provided some biological information that seems not to be obtainable with non-human Mabs. It furthermore seems that the technology for production of human Mabs now has progressed to the stage where it permits a realistic hope that they soon can be applied in the diagnosis and treatment of human cancer.

Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphocytes produce monoclonal autoantibodies that react with antigens in multiple organs

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from normal individuals and patients with autoimmune abnormalities such as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and thyroiditis were infected with Epstein-Barr virus, and the culture supernatants were tested for autoantibodies that reacted with normal tissues. Between 58 and 86% of Epstein-Barr virus-transformed cultures produced immunoglobulin M antibodies, and between 9 and 24% of the transformed cultures produced immunoglobulin G antibodies that reacted with normal tissues. Ten Epstein-Barr virus-transformed clones secreting human immunoglobulin M monoclonal autoantibodies were isolated. Four of these monoclonal autoantibodies were studied in depth and found to react with antigens in multiple organs, including thyroid, pancreas, stomach, smooth muscle, and nerves. It is concluded that Epstein-Barr virus can trigger the production of autoantibodies without infecting the target cells to which the autoantibodies are directed.

Establishment of human monoclonal anti-DNA antibody producing cell lines

We developed a useful method for the establishment of stable cell lines producing human monoclonal anti-DNA antibody by in vitro Epstein-Barr virus infection. The practical limitation for the cloning was overcome by 2 procedures. One was a microculture system using a small number of the culture. Another was enrichment of anti-DNA producing cells at an early stage and prior to the cloning. The combination of these procedures allowed ready derivation of the cell lines secreting monoclonal anti-DNA antibody. Sixteen cell lines were cloned by utilizing colony formation methods in soft agarose. About 14-32 micrograms per ml of IgM with specific antibody activity were obtained in the supernatant of the cells. The antibody reacted with double-stranded and/or single-stranded DNA. These cells have been continuously producing the specific antibody for more than 3 years. We may extend this procedure for obtaining other autoantibodies, such as anti-T cell antibodies.

Generating human monoclonal antibodies

Present methods and systems for the generation of human monoclonal antibodies are briefly reviewed. The specificities of the available reagents are outlined. It would appear that the generation using hybridoma methods of human monoclonal antibodies to human tumor cell surface antigens is a rare event and that methods of in vitro immunostimulation may have to be used if such antibodies are to be reliably produced.

Production of human monoclonal IgG antibodies against Rhesus (D) antigen

An Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed human B-cell line ( LB4r ) producing anti-Rhesus [Rho(D) antigen] antibody was fused with a non-immunoglobulin-producing mouse-human heteromyeloma ( SHM - D33 ) and selected in hypoxanthine/aminopterin/thymidine medium containing 0.5 microM ouabain. Surviving hybrids found to secrete specific anti-Rho(D) antibody were cloned by limiting dilution. Two clones (D4-B2 and E10-C1) producing high levels (12 and 20 micrograms/ml per 10(6) cells per 24 hr, respectively) of monospecific antibody (IgG3, lambda chain) were selected for expansion and further characterization. Compared to the parental cell line ( LB4r ), these hybridoma cell lines presented several advantages: antibody production was increased 10-fold, cloning efficiency was improved, and the EBV genome was not retained. Antibody production has been stable for greater than 8 months. These human monoclonal anti-Rho(D) antibodies have demonstrated utility in routine blood-group typing. They may also prove useful in the biochemical and genetic characterization of the Rh antigen system. Most important, they offer a source of Rh-immune globulin for the prevention of Rh immunization and alloimmune hemolytic disease of the newborn.

Human lymphoblastoid cell line producing protective monoclonal IgG1, kappa anti-tetanus toxin

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from an individual, recently boosted with tetanus toxoid (TT), were transformed with Epstein-Barr virus. No antigen-specific selection nor stimulation of B cells was performed prior to transformation. One stable cell line, designated CLB-Hu-TT-1, was established. This cell line has a doubling time of 24 h and yields 10 micrograms/ml of a monoclonal IgG1, kappa anti-TT antibody in bulk cultures. The antibody is biologically active in that it can protect mice against the effects of tetanus toxin. The cell line has been characterized with regard to some cytoplasmic and membrane markers.

Human lymphoblastoid cell lines established from peripheral blood lymphocytes secreting immunoglobulins directed against herpes simplex virus

Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from genital herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) patients were transformed with Epstein-Barr virus. Using conditions optimized for successful transformation, two lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) have been established, which secrete immunoglobulin G (IgG) to HSV. These results suggest that PBL from patients suffering recurrent herpes virus infections can be used to establish LCL secreting HSV antigen specific human immunoglobulins.

Production of antibody to human osteosarcoma associated antigens by continuous human lymphoblastoid cell lines

Human lymphoblastoid cell lines that produce specific antibody against human osteosarcoma associated plasma membrane antigens have been established by preselecting OSAA binding human B lymphocytes from an osteosarcoma patient followed by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transformation. Four cell lines ( Kla -1, Kla -2, Kla -3, Kla -4) were obtained and cloned. The antibodies were lambda light containing IgM. The specificities of the antibodies were confirmed by immunofluorescence assays using tumor cell lines of various histologic types. Positive immunofluorescence was observed with all human osteosarcoma cell lines tested except one but not with tumor cell lines of other histologic types.

Construction and testing of mouse--human heteromyelomas for human monoclonal antibody production

FU-266, a mutant human myeloma cell line sensitive to hypoxanthine/aminopterin/thymidine (HAT), was transfected by protoplast fusion with DNA of the recombinant plasmid vector pSV2-neoR, thus acquiring a dominant marker conferring resistance to the antibiotic G-418. One of the resultant neoR clones, E-1, was fused to irradiated (500 rads) or unirradiated cells of the HAT-sensitive, G-418-sensitive, nonproducer mouse myeloma line X63-Ag8.653. Hybrid clones were selected in G-418 plus ouabain, thus preserving their HAT sensitivity. Small numbers of human chromosomes were retained in all such hybrids, but most of them ceased secreting human myeloma (IgE(lambda). Selected hybrid clones were then tested as malignant fusion partners in a series of fusions with polyclonally activated human B lymphocytes and with antigen-primed human B lymphocytes, in some instances after transformation of the latter with Epstein-Barr virus. The yield of viable chimeric hybridomas has been consistently high, as has the proportion of hybridomas secreting human immunoglobulin molecules unpermuted with mouse or human myeloma heavy or light chains. Secretion by many subcloned hybridomas has been stable for over 6 months, and several antigen-specific human monoclonal antibodies have been generated. Thus these heteromyeloma cell lines appear to have significant advantages for human monoclonal antibody production.

Herpes simplex virus glycoprotein D: human monoclonal antibody produced by bone marrow cell line

Normal bone marrow cells from a donor positive for herpes simplex virus were transformed with Epstein-Barr virus. The resulting lymphoblastoid cell line has secreted immunoglobulin G1 of the kappa type continuously for 2 years. This immunoglobulin, detected both on the cell surface and in the cytoplasm, reacts with cells infected with herpes simplex virus. It defines an antigen that comigrates with the 55-kilodalton glycoprotein D of herpes simplex virus type 1 and neutralizes the infectivity of herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2.

Monoclonal antibodies against tetanus toxin and toxoid

Monoclonal antibodies against tetanus toxin and its toxoid were produced by immunizing mice with toxoid or toxin. They were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), by a toxin neutralization test in mice (in vivo prevention test), and by their ability to prevent binding of 125I-toxin to brain membranes or gangliosides (in vitro prevention test). Six monoclonal antibodies obtained by immunization with toxoid (anti-toxoid 1-6) were investigated in more detail. They belonged to IgG class 1. Three of them (anti-toxoid 1, 2 and 3) recognized both toxoid and toxin as well as fragment B and the light chain of toxin, but not fragment C. Two other antibodies (anti-toxoid 4 and 5) were directed against toxoid only. Neither of them prevented toxin action in vitro or in vivo. Anti-toxoid 6 recognized toxin, toxoid and fragment C, but not light chain, and prevented toxin action in vitro and in vivo. Immunization against toxin was initiated with a toxin-antitoxin complex and boosted with toxin. We studied six antibodies in more detail, all of IgG type 2. Their KD against 125I-tetanus toxin varied from 10(-9) to 10(-10) M. Anti-toxin 2 recognized toxin, toxoid, light chain and fragment B, but not fragment C. The others reacted with toxin, toxoid and fragment C, but not with light chain or fragment B. All of them prevented toxin action in vitro and in vivo. As calculated from the maximal extinction achieved in the ELISA, tetanus toxin combined with a maximum of two different antibody molecules from our set. Gel filtration data indicate that tetanus toxin reacts with monoclonal antibodies one by one. Compared with polyclonal antiserum, monoclonal antibodies yield flatter slopes in both in vitro and in vivo prevention tests. Thus, they cannot substitute for the polyclonal antibodies in clinical situations, and cannot be calibrated in international units.

Detection of antibodies to tetanus toxoid: comparison of a direct haemagglutination method with a radioimmunoassay

Two methods of detecting antibodies to tetanus toxoid were compared, a radioimmunoassay (RIA) employing radiolabelled staphylococcal protein A and a direct haemagglutination (HA) method employing sheep erythrocytes coupled to tetanus toxoid with chromic chloride. These were shown to have a similarly high specificity with the HA method showing slightly higher sensitivity. Haemagglutination offers several additional advantages in terms of simplicity, low cost and less requirement for specialised equipment. The assays were also used to demonstrate a transient IgM response after repeated booster injections with absorbed toxin given to seropositive individuals, and these antibodies were found to be protective in biological tests.