Methods for producing human antibodies in SCID mice

Abstract

An improved method for producing human antibodies in SCID mice is provided. The improvement includes the use of dendritic cells pulsed with antigen-antibody complexes and antigen-antibody complexes as immunizing agents.

1 . A method for producing human antibodies in SCID mice which comprises immunizing SCID mice with dendritic cells which have been contacted (pulsed) in vitro with an antigen-antibody complex.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antigen is prostrate specific antigen.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the antibody is a mouse IgG 2a  antibody.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dendritic cells comprise autologous peripheral blood dendritic cells.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , which includes EBV transformation during the immunization step.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody is anti-PSA IgG 2 , monoclonal antibody and the antigen is PSA.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said SCID mice are immunized with antigen-antibody complex prior to a immunization with dendritic which have been contacted (pulsed) with antigen-antibody complex.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second immunization is effected about 1 to 15 days after the first.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said second immunization is effected about 7 days after the first immunization.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , which further includes at least one additional immunization (“boosting”) wherein SCID mice is administered antigen or antigen-antibody complex.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein a boosting step is effected about a week after the first immunization.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein another boosting step is effected about two weeks after the first immunization.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein another boosting step is effected about three weeks after the first immunization.