A rabies-specific human monoclonal antibody that protects mice against lethal rabies.
According to a recommendation from WHO (World Health Organisation) for prevention of a possible rabies infection, active vaccination has to be combined with application of immunoglobulin to get a fast protective effect. At present, preparations of purified human or equine rabies-specific immunoglobulin are used. We have generated a human rabies-specific monoclonal antibody (huMAb) by immortalization of human B-cells with Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), followed by fusion with a mouse myeloma cell. The resulting clone TW-1 secrets an IgG1 lambda huMAb which specifically reacts in ELISA with 5 laboratory rabies virus strains of serotype 1 and DUV3 (Duvenhage, serotype 4). Western Blot analysis revealed fine specificity for the G glycoprotein (gp67) of rabies virus. HuMAb TW-1 neutralizes rabies virus in vitro (RFFIT) as well as in vivo and protects rabies infected mice. Compared to polyclonal human rabies immunoglobulins, huMAb TW-1 is advantageous, because of its defined specificity and the very low amounts of total protein needed for therapeutic effects.
Enssle
K
K
Research Laboratories of Behringwerke AG, Marburg/Lahn, Germany.
Kurrle
R
R
Köhler
R
R
Müller
H
H
Kanzy
E J
EJ
Hilfenhaus
J
J
Seiler
F R
FR
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D011818:Rabies / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011820:Rabies virus / Q000276:immunology; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D006023:Glycoproteins; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C064951:glycoprotein G, Rabies virus