CYTOMEDICAL THERAPY FOR IGG1 PLASMACYTOSIS IN HUMAN INTERLEUKIN-6 TRANSGENIC MICE USING HYBRIDOMA CELLS MICROENCAPSULATED IN ALGINATE-POLY(L)LYSINE-ALGINATE MEMBRANE

Cytomedical therapy for human interleukin-6 transgenic mice (hIL-6 Tgm ) was implemented by the intraperitoneal injection of alginate-poly(L) lysine-alginate (APA) membranes microencapsulating SK2 hybridoma cells (APA-SK2 cells) which secrete anti-hIL-6 monoclonal antibodies (SK2 m Ab). IgG1 plasmacytosis in the hIL-6 Tgm was suppressed by a single in jection of APA-SK2 cells, and the survival time of these mice was rema rkably prolonged. The viable cell number and the SK2 mAb-secretion of APA-SK2 cells increased for at least one month both under culture cond itions and in allogeneic recipients (in vivo). Moreover, SK2 mAb which were secreted from APA-SK2 cells injected into allogeneic recipients was detected in serum at high concentrations; 3-5 mg/ml from day 14 to day 50 post-injection. In contrast, the injection of free SK2 cells h ad no therapeutic effect on hIL-6 Tgm. These results strongly suggest that APA membranes microencapsulating cells which were modified to sec rete molecules useful for the treatment of a disorder were effective a s an in vivo long-term delivery system of bioactive molecules, as 'cyt omedicine'.