A simple technique for the rapid enrichment of class and subclass hybridoma switch variants. A 1000-fold enrichment in half the time, for half the cost.

Switching parental hybrids in vitro to downstream switch variant clones producing more desirable monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) requires either labor intensive and time consuming subcloning techniques, or fluorescence activated sorting of the desired clones. We tested the hypothesis that enrichment of downstream switch variant clones might be achieved by selective lysis of upstream hybridoma cells followed by expansion of the enriched downstream clone. Using a parental hybridoma with surface and secretory IgM, we attempted to enrich downstream switch variant clones producing class (IgG) and subclass (IgG1 or IgG2a) MoAbs. Enrichment of downstream IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a MoAb-producing switch variants was achieved by single or repeated antibody-dependent, complement-mediated lysis of the upstream IgM-bearing parental hybridoma cells followed by limited subcloning. Two exposures of parental hybridoma cells to lysis followed by plating at 100 cells/well enriched the frequency of switch variants up to 1235-fold, enabling the development of IgG1 or IgG2a-producing subclones exhibiting high yield antibody production. Using this protocol, production time and costs were reduced by > 50% when compared to the standard technique. This novel technique for the rapid isolation and expansion of switch variant clones should be ideal for most laboratories, particularly those without access to cell sorting capabilities.