Development and characterization of human anti-HBs antibodies

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 13 healthy hepatitis B vaccines were transformed with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) producing antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs antibodies). Seven LCL and two clones secreting human anti-HBs monoclonal antibody were generated and their antibodies purified. One clone was fused with a mouse myeloma and the antibody from a cloned anti-HBs secreting heterohybridoma purified. One of the 10 purified human anti-HBs antibodies was characterized as IgG4, the remainder were IgG1. The antibodies had either kappa or lambda light chains. Five of the antibodies which were conjugated to horseradish peroxidase recognised the "a" group determinants.