Expression of heterobispecific antibodies by genes transfected into producer hybridoma cells

Abstract

We report the expression of heterobispecific antibodies (Ab) by transferred genes. The κ and γ1 genes of a mouse anti-idiotypic Ab (IgG1) were transfected into a mouse hybridoma cell line secreting Ab(IgG1), directed against an isoenzyme of human creatine kinase. Stable cell lines secreting the parental Ab derived from the introduced genes and a mixture of hybrid Ab were established. The transfected Ab specificity was expressed at similar levels as in a nonproducer background (50 ng-1 μg/ml), heterobispecific Ab was expressed in μg quantities (1–4 μg/ml) in all cell lines examined. As shown by isoelectric focusing analysis, hybrid Ab (heterobifunctional and other species) are expressed to a similar extent in the transfected cell lines as the Ab in the parental Ab-producing cells.