Monoclonal Antibodies From SCID-HU Mice

We intend to generate human monoclonal antibodies to RSV F protein (F-prot) and prostatespecific antigen (PSA). Immunotherapy in a rat RSV model with monoclonal anti-F-prot antibodies hasworked, and murine anti-PSA antibodies are currently being used in an experimental clinical protocol fortreatment of prostate cancer. Human monoclonal antibodies would likely be superior to murineantibodies in such protocols, because they have efficient effector functions and reduced side effects.To generate these antibodies, we will use a unique protocol developed in our laboratory that was provenefficient for the production of high affinity monoclonal IgG antibodies from naive human splenocytes;an initial in vitro immunization step resulting in a primary response is followed by a transfer of thestimulated cells in SCID mice and in vivo antigen boost. The antibody titers in the serum of the SCID-huare several orders of magnitude higher than what has been reported in the literature. Competent cellsare rescued from the animals and immortalized by somatic fusion and/or EBV transformation.Monoclonal antibodies are selected for adequate affinity, specificity and physiological activity.