Research results from K. Smith and colleagues update understanding of monoclonal antibodies
2009 JUL 8 - (NewsRx.com) -- "We describe herein a protocol for the production of antigen-specific human monoclonal antibodies (hmAbs). Antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) are isolated from whole blood collected 7 d after vaccination and sorted by flow cytometry into single cell plates," scientists writing in the journal Nature Protocols report. "The antibody genes of the ASCs are then amplified by RT-PCR and nested PCR, cloned into expression vectors and transfected into a human cell line. The expressed antibodies can then be purified and assayed for binding and neutralization. This method uses established techniques but is novel in their combination and application. This protocol can be completed with as little as 20 ml of human blood and in as little as 28 d when optimal. Although previous methodologies to produce hmAbs, including B-cell immortalization or phage display, can be used to isolate the rare specific antibody even years after immunization, in comparison, these approaches are inefficient, resulting in few relevant antibodies," wrote K. Smith and colleagues. The researchers concluded: "Although dependent on having an ongoing immune response, the approach described herein can be used to rapidly generate numerous antigen-specific hmAbs in a short time.." Smith and colleagues published their study in Nature Protocols (Rapid generation of fully human monoclonal antibodies specific to a vaccinating antigen. Nature Protocols, 2009;4(3):372-384). Additional information can be obtained by contacting P.C. Wilson, University Chicago, Dept. of Medical, Rheumatol Sect, 5841 S Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. The publisher of the journal Nature Protocols can be contacted at: Nature Publishing Group, Macmillan Building, 4 Crinan St., London N1 9XW, England. Keywords: United States, Chicago, Monoclonal Antibodies, Biotechnology, Cytometry, Immunization, Monoclonal Antibody, Vaccination. This article was prepared by Vaccine Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Vaccine Weekly via NewsRx.com.
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