[Production of human monoclonal auto-antibodies which recognize skin components]

Using human myeloma cell line, LICR-LON-HMy2, and human lymphocytes, we have produced human monoclonal auto-antibodies against skin-components by human-human hybridoma technique. Resulting monoclonal antibodies are classified as follows; 1. Antibodies which recognize cytoplasmic filamentous antigen(s) in epithelial and non-epithelial cells, which are presumably keratin cross-reacting with other classes of intermediate filament(s), 2. Antibody to keratinocyte cellular membrane which is specific to upper epidermal layers, 3. Antibody to sebaceus gland with some cross-reaction in horny layers, 4. Antibody to the innermost cell layer of outer root sheath. The immunoglobulin class of all the antibodies was human IgM. Although pathological roles of these monoclonal antibodies are unknown, it is suggested that auto-antibodies against skin components are more commonly produced in human than previously understood and may be associated with various skin diseases.