ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the B Cell Activation, pokeweed mitogen stimulation-fusion, B Cell Selection, In Vitro Immunization, and B Cell Immortalization techniques for the production of human monoclonal antibodies. The requirements for successful primary in vitro immunization have not yet been clearly defined, although a number of investigators have achieved encouraging results. The remarkable cross-reactivity of human monoclonal autoantibodies raises interesting questions regarding the original stimulus for such antibodies and raises the possibility that a single autoantibody could be involved in a wide range of clinical effects. By “capturing” individual autoantibodies in vitro in high concentration, monoclonal antibody technology permits a precise analysis of the binding specificity and functional effects of individual autoantibodies.
