Cellular characterization of V cell populations (novel antigen specific immunoglobulin expressing cell lineage) from immunized mice (P4402)

Abstract

Abstract In our efforts to improvemonoclonal antibody production, we identified novel populations of antigen-specific cells which can be classified as neither a B cell, nor an Eosinophil using classical surface markers. One novel antigen specific population is identified by the phenotype CD49b+/IgG+/IgE+/B220- (IgG/E V-cell). Immune animals have identifiable IgG/E V cell populations in multiple tissue sites including bone marrow, spleen, and blood. No IgG/E V cells were detected in the lymph nodes, thymus, or peritoneal cavity. The percentages of IgG/E V cells differ in each of the positive tissue compartments tested. Higher levels of IgG/E V cells are routinely seen in blood compared to bone marrow or spleen of immune animals. These cells have been sorted and successfully cultured on several attempts. Supernatants from sorted V cell populations were assayed for cytokine and immunoglobulin production via CBA sandwich immunoassay. No soluble IgG was detected, but low levels of IL-4 and TNF were.