Production and characterization of human-human and human-mouse hybridomas secreting Rh(D)-specific monoclonal antibodies.

Human monoclonal antibodies specific for the Rh(D) antigen were produced by cell lines generated by the fusion of pooled Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B-cell lines secreting Rh(D) antibodies with the murine myeloma cell line NS.1 or with the human lymphoblastoid cell line HOA.1. The selection of hybrids was achieved in RPMI 1640 medium containing HAT and ouabain. Higher fusion efficiency was obtained with the NS.1 cell line; however, the hybrids with HOA.1 exhibited a greater clonal stability. The products of four clones (three human-human and one human-mouse) that consistently secreted antibodies for over 11 months were tested for specificity with a panel of red cells of various Rh phenotypes. The supernatants of all four clones showed anti-Rh(D) specificity but failed to react with the red cell Du phenotypes categorized as DV(Dw+) and DVI. Two of the three human-human clones secreted IgM(lambda) and the third IgG(kappa). The human-mouse clone produced IgG(kappa) antibody.