Background/aim: We developed a novel platform to produce fully human antibodies that could be used as tools in cancer research. This study was based on maturation of B-cells into plasma cells and the subsequent secretion of fully human antibodies against a 9-mer peptide.
Materials and methods: A peptide was introduced to dendritic cells, followed by co-cultivation with cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4+) cells from healthy donors and CD19(+) cells from patients with cancer. In order to detect plasma cells, we used microscopy, flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), and western blotting.
Results: Oval-shaped cells with eccentric nuclei were found which expressed high levels of CD27 (up to 73%) and CD138 (up to 31%). An antibody against the selected peptide was detected in the culture supernatants of all samples according to ELISA and western blot analyses.
Conclusion: This platform successfully generated fully human antibodies against a specific epitope.
Keywords: Monoclonal antibodies; breast cancer.
Copyright© 2016 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.