Showing papers by "Hilary Koprowski published in 1980"

Production of human hybridomas secreting antibodies to measles virus.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies against a variety of antigens can be produced using techniques of somatic cell hybridization between cells of rodent myeloma lines and B cells derived from animals immunized against a given antigen. However, because of the monoclonal antibodies secreted by these hybridomas are of rodent origin, their use in human immunotherapy is limited. Thus the production of B-cell hybrids that secrete human monoclonal antibodies may be of considerable value. We have hybridized a hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT)-deficient human B-cell line derived from a patient suffering from multiple myeloma with peripheral lymphocytes obtained from a patient with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). These hybridomas were found to secrete human IgM specific for measles virus nucleocapsids.

Antigenic variants of rabies virus.

Abstract: Antigenic variants of CVS-11 strain of rabies virus were selected after treatment of virus populations with monoclonal antibodies directed against the glycoprotein antigen of the virus. These variants resisted neutralization by the hybridoma antibody used for their selection. Two independently mutating antigenic sites could be distinguished when five variants were tested with nine hybridoma antibodies. The frequency of single epitope variants in a cloned rabies virus seed was approximately 1:10,000. Animals were not or only partially protected when challenged with the parent virus or with another variant, but were fully protected against challenge with the virus used for immunization. Variants were also detected among seven street viruses obtained from fatal cases of human rabies. Animals immunized with standard rabies vaccine were protected against challenge with some but not all street rabies variants. A comparative antigenic analysis between vaccine strain and challenge virus by means of monoclonal antiglycoprotein antibodies showed a slightly closer degree of antigenic relatedness between vaccine and challenge strain in the combinations where vaccination resulted in protection. It remains unknown, however, whether these apparently minor antigenic differences in the glycoproteins account for the varying degrees of protection. The results of this study clearly indicate that the selection of vaccine strains and the methods used to evaluate the potency of rabies vaccines need to be revised.

Preferential retention of human chromosome 14 in mouse × human B cell hybrids

Abstract: Loss of human chromosomes from mouse × human hybridomas is not random. Human chromosomes 14, 5 and 22 are preferentially retained, while chromosomes 2 and 1 are preferentially lost. Interestingly, human chromosome 14, which carries the genes for human immunoglobulin heavy chains, appears to be retained by almost all the hybrid clones and subclones.

Monoclonal Antibodies against Rabies Virus

Abstract: The study of rabies virus and its components with hybridoma antibodies is of particular importance for several reasons. First, rabies, a rhabdovirus, is unique in its ability to infect all warm-blooded animals, including man. It is a strictly neurotropic virus, replicating in neurons and spreading through axons and nerve cells from the site of infection to the central nervous system; the virus is never detected in the blood of infected animals. Transmission occurs in most cases by bites or scratches and only on very rare occasions by inhalation.