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.
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002460:Cell Line; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D006825:Hybridomas / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid; D051379:Mice; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System