Production of human antibodies to native cytokine receptors using the genetic immunization of KM mice.

We have established a protocol for generating antibodies to native G-protein coupled receptors using genetic immunization with a molecular adjuvant, E. coli Gro-EL. Here, we adapted this protocol for use in transchromosome KM mice, which bear a set of human immunoglobulin genes. The immunization of KM mice using expression plasmids containing genes encoding three different human cytokine receptor genes, CXCR4, CCR3, and CCR5, resulted in significant Ab responses to these receptors. The combination of this DNA immunization protocol and KM mice might be a useful strategy for generating human antibodies to cytokine receptors.