A human monoclonal IgG1 lambda anti-hepatitis B surface antibody. Production, properties, and applications.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a donor with a high titre of anti-hepatitis B surface (HBs) antibodies were fused with a cell line that was positive for Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen and sensitive to hypoxanthine-aminopterine-thymidine. A cell line was established that produces a monoclonal IgG1 lambda anti-HBs antibody. Afterwards, it appeared that the anti-HBs antibody-producing cell line had arisen from Epstein-Barr virus transformation of the donor B cells. The cell line is capable of producing up to 60 micrograms/ml of the monoclonal antibody, which has a high avidity for HBs antigen (Ag) and recognizes both ad and ay subtypes. The antibody is useful as a reagent for the detection of HBsAg in human serum. Over 1000 patient sera have been tested with a conventional third-generation assay in parallel, and only a single discrepant serum was found.