SBIR-STTR Award

Information generated in the past few years has begun to elucidate the genetic organization of the HLA complex at a molecular level using DNA and protein biochemistry methods. These studies indicate that multiple molecules in the form of heterodimers are expressed on the cell surface and that each heterodimer may carry several epitopes. These epitopes are, by analogy to the mouse, likely to be involved in cellcell interactions. Likewise, these epitopes are likely to be involved in susceptibility tc disease and important in matching for transplantation. Characterization of patients by protein and by DNA methods is not practical. Methods are time consuming, expensive, and not adapted to use in heterozygotes.Identification of monoclonal antibodies against biologically relevant isotopes would have significant impact. Mouse antihuman monoclonal reagents recognize primarily monomorphic determinants with only a few recognizing polymorphic determinants. Human antihuman monoclonal antibodies offer the advantage of exquisite specificity but are not stable.In Phase I, it is proposed to establish human B-cell lines transformed with Epstein-Barr virus that are producing antibody against epitopes on HLA-D region molecules and to determine the frequency with which reagents that define new subtypes are obtained. These new subtypes will be correlated with published studies on DNA polymorphism. These antibody-producing lines are stable and essentially monoclonal in nature.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

This contract is for the production of monoclonal antibodies against epitopes of the D/DR region of the major histocompatibility complex using EBV transformed B cell lines. The antibodies produced by these B cell lines will be characterized for specificity by conventional microcytotoxicity and flow cytometry methodologies. The antibodies identified and acquired will facilitate immunogenetic research such as the relationship between disease susceptibility and the MHC and the improvemen of matching for transplantation.

Thesaurus Terms:
Blood Cells, B Lymphocytes Cell Sorting, Laser Immunogenetics, Major Histocompatibility Complex (Locus) Immunological Preparations Immunological Preparations, Monoclonal Antibodies Tissue Compatibility-Transplant, Histocompatibility Typing, Mlc Tissue Compatibility-Transplant, Isoalloantibodies Tissue Compatibility-Transplant, Isoalloantigens (Histocompatibility AntigNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)