Fusion Partner for Production of Monoclonal Rabbit Antibodies

Abstract

The invention provides a rabbit-derived immortal B-lymphocyte capable of fusion with a rabbit splenocyte to produce a hybrid cell that produces an antibody. The immortal B-lymphocyte does not detectably express endogenous immunoglobulin heavy chain and may contain, in certain embodiments, an altered immunoglobulin heavy chain-encoding gene. A hybridoma resulting from fusion between the subject immortal B-lymphocyte and a rabbit antibody-producing cell is provided, as is a method of using that hybridoma to produce an antibody. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different diagnostic, therapeutic and research applications.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A rabbit-derived immortal B-lymphocyte capable of fusing with a rabbit splenocytes to produce a hybrid cell that produces an immunoglobulin, wherein the rabbit-derived immortal B-lymphocyte fuses with rabbit splenocytes a rate of at least 40%. 
     
     
         17 . The rabbit-derived immortal B-lymphocyte of  claim 16 , wherein the rabbit-derived immortal B-lymphocyte is a derivative of a 240E cell, wherein said 240E cell is deposited at the ATCC as accession no. HB-11870. 
     
     
         18 . The rabbit-derived immortal B-lymphocyte of  claim 16 , wherein the rabbit-derived immortal B-lymphocyte has been immortalized by introduction of an oncogene. 
     
     
         19 . The rabbit-derived immortal B-lymphocyte of  claim 18 , wherein the rabbit-derived immortal B-lymphocyte comprises Myc and/or Abl. 
     
     
         20 . The rabbit-derived immortal B-lymphocyte of  claim 16 , wherein said immortal B-lymphocyte is characterized by an ability to produce hybridoma cells that are stable in culture for more than one year. 
     
     
         21 . The rabbit-derived immortal B-lymphocyte of  claim 16 , wherein the rabbit-derived immortal B-lymphocyte fuses with rabbit splenocytes a rate of at least 64%