A rapid and efficient method for generating anti-variable region monoclonal antibodies using type-1 interferons as immune modulators

Hum Antibodies. 2006;15(3):61-9.

Abstract

The generation of anti-variable region monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against therapeutic antibodies is essential in the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) assessments of the drugs in clinical study samples. Sandwich EIA and other methods are typically employed to achieve sensitivity and selectivity for the PK/PD analyses. These assays usually require generation of mAb reagents that bind specifically to the drug in non-competing pair combinations. Thus, large panels of anti-variable region mAbs must be generated in an expeditious manner to increase the probability of success. Herein we describe a novel immunization method that utilizes type 1 interferons (IFNs) as immunomodulators coupled with an agonistic anti-CD40 mAb as a B cell proliferative agent to drive immune responses. This novel protocol allows for rapid and robust mAb reagent generation without the use of conventional protein-denaturing adjuvants. The use of IFNs allowed for the generation of comparable and in some cases, increased numbers of anti-variable region mAbs in a dramatically shorter timeframe. This IFN based, immunostimulatory approach utilizing a non-denaturing adjuvant, likely presents conformational epitopes and may optimize the humoral response for the rapid generation of anti-variable region reagents to therapeutic mAb candidates.

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / biosynthesis*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Interferons / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Spleen / immunology

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Interferons