METHOD FOR EXPANDING PRIMATE B CELLS SELECTIVELY IN IMMUNOCOMPROMISED MICE AND PRODUCING LARGE NUMBERS OF ANTIGEN-SPECIFIC B LYMPHOCYTES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF PRIMATE MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES

摘要

The present invention relates to a method for reconstituting immunocompromisedmice with primate cells, consisting of the following steps: (a) preparation ofan immunocompromised mouse by administration of an antibody against the betachain of the mouse interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor, more particularly themonoclonal mouse TM-.beta.1 monoclonal antibody and/or gamma irradiation, (b)intraspleen injection of primate cells into the spleen of the pre-treatedimmunocompromised mouse of step (a), where these primate cells preferablyoriginate from a primate donor and where this primate donor may have beenimmunised with a well-defined antigen. This method was found to be highlysuitable for expanding primate B lymphocytes in an animal model in a rapid, asyet unequalled manner. Other embodiments of this invention relate toimmunocompromised mice obtained by the aforesaid method and also the usethereof as animal models, primate B cell culture produced and primatemonoclonal antibodies derived therefrom.