Hybrid cell lines secreting monoclonal antibody specific for major histocompatibility antigens of the mouse

Abstract

HYBRIDISATION of a myeloma cell line with hyperimmunised spleen cells can provide hybrid cell lines secreting monoclonal antibodies of predefined specificity^1,2. Lines have thus been established which secrete homogeneous antibodies against antigens such as sheep red blood cells¹, the hapten 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl², influenza virus³, horse red blood cells, the haptens (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl and (4-hydroxy-5-iodo-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl, group A streptococcal carbohydrate, hen egg lysozyme, chicken γ globulin, the synthetic polypeptide poly-L-(Tyr, Glu)-poly-D,L-Ala-poly-L-Lys⁴ and antigens encoded by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of the rat⁵. We report here the derivation of three cloned hybrid cell lines which synthesise antibodies detecting different public antigenic specificities of the mouse H–2 complex. These hybrid cell lines can be grown in the mouse as ascites tumours, and the ascites fluids obtained contain large quantities of homogeneous anti-H–2 antibodies.