A NOVEL METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES - EVALUATION AND EXPECTATION OF THE RAT LYMPH-NODE METHOD IN CELL AND MOLECULAR-BIOLOGY

A newly developed method using rat lymph nodes provided us with substa ntial amounts of high quality monoclonal antibodies. The method has ch aracteristic features, a single injection of an emulsified antigen via the rat's hind footpads is sufficient for immunization. Enlarged medi al iliac lymph nodes can be used for cell fusion to produce hybridomas 2 weeks and later after the antigen injection. The production frequen cy of target hybridomas is about 10 times higher than that of a conven tional spleen method. Our current knowledge about the production of mo noclonal antipeptide antibodies and monoclonal nephritogenic autoantib odies by the method is described. (C) 1996 Academic Press Limited