Process for the preparation of human monoclonal antibodies and their use

US5798230A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• GSF FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM FUR UMWELT UND GESUNDHEIT GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Georg Bornkamm · Hersbruck, DE
• Dirk Eick · Germering, DE
• Bettina Kempkes · Munich, DE
• Nicola Maria Jochner · Freising, DE
• Lothar J. Strobl · Germering, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 3, 1996
• Grant date: Aug 25, 1998
• Expiry date: Apr 3, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07K16/00
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention provides a process for the preparation of human monoclonal antibodies from human B cells. According to this process, human antibody-producing B cells are immortalized by infection with an Epstein-Barr virus, or derivative thereof, that expresses Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2). EBNA2 function, which is required for immortalization, is subsequently shut off, which results in an increase in antibody production. The invention provides a variety of systems that allow expression of EBNA2 function to achieve immortalization, followed by reduction of EBNA2 expression or function to facilitate antibody production.