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Abstract
Human monoclonal antibodies produced by Epstein Barr (EB) virus transformation and/or cell fusion are frequently IgM antibodies which tend to cross react with a range of antigens and often bear little relationship to the highly specific IgG antibodies associated with human autoimmune disease. By fusing EB virus transformed B lymphocytes from a Hashimoto patient with a mouse myeloma line and selecting for synthesis of IgG class thyroglobulin (Tg) antibody, we have developed a hybridoma (VB/5) secreting Tg antibody of IgG2 subclass and lambda light chain type which has the characteristics of a monoclonal antibody on isoelectric focussing. The antibody has a high affinity for human Tg and recognises Tg from other primates but not non-primate Tg. However, it does not react with human thyroid peroxidase or a panel of other autoantigens.
In terms of affinity constant, functional affinity and affinity heterogeneity, the antibody closely resembles the IgG2 lambda Tg antibody present in the serum of the Hashimoto patient whose B lymphocytes were used to develop the hybridoma. In addition to providing a useful reference standard for Tg antibody IgG subclass assays, VB/5 antibody and the hybridoma line provide a valuable starting point for detailed studies of Tg autoantibodies and the genes coding for the variable regions of their heavy and light chains.