A method for isolation of human B cells specific to viral peptides usi
ng magnetic beads has been developed. The method was used for the isol
ation from human tonsils of B cells specific to HIV-I gp 120 MN-24 pep
tide (residues 302-322) and to Epstein-Barr virus 107 EBNA-1 peptide.
The cells selected with beads were transformed by Epstein-Barr virus.
The resultant cell cultures produce human immunoglobulin antibodies to
HIV-1 MN-24 and to Epstein-Barr EBNA-1 p107 peptides.