PRIMATE ANTIBODIES TO COMPONENTS OF THE HUMAN IMMUNE-SYSTEM

The feasibility to raise nonhuman primate antibodies against selected components of the human immune system was tested. The immunogens were whole cells (human T lymphocytes) or purified, recombinant human prote ins (cytokines: TNF alpha or GM-CSF soluble forms of cell surface anti gens: sCD4 or sCD25). Significant Immunizations, yielding functionally relevant antibodies, were readily achieved in rhesus monkeys, but, no t surprisingly, may be less frequent in chimpanzees. The results sugge st a general strategy for production of therapeutically useful MAB.