Isolation of rare isotype switch variants in hybridoma cell lines using an agarose gel microdrop-based protein...

Using gel microdrop (GMD) encapsulation technology and fluorescence-activated cell storing (FACS), we have developed a rapid, sensitive, and reliable method for discriminating and recovering rare isotypic switch variants in hybridoma cell lines. Using the GMD-based IgSwitch assay, a novel approach for isolating subpopulations of IgG-secreting hybridoma cells present at a frequency of approximately 1-10 in 10(6), we successfully isolated spontaneous and in vitro-induced isotypic switch variants in less than half the time required for conventional sublining. The effectiveness and specificity of the assay are demonstrated.