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

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Virology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a significant global health concern.
• Accurate and sensitive detection of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is crucial for diagnosis and management.
• Monoclonal antibodies offer high specificity and avidity for antigen detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a hybridoma cell line producing a high-affinity monoclonal antibody against Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).
• To characterize the antibody's properties, including subtype recognition and production yield.
• To evaluate the antibody's utility as a diagnostic reagent for HBsAg detection in human serum.

Main Methods:

• Fusion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from an anti-HBs antibody-positive donor with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B cells.
• Selection of hybridoma cells using hypoxanthine-aminopterine-thymidine (HAT) medium.
• Characterization of antibody production, avidity, subtype specificity (ad and ay), and diagnostic performance.

Main Results:

• Establishment of a stable cell line producing a monoclonal IgG1 lambda anti-HBs antibody.
• High antibody production yield (up to 60 µg/ml) and high avidity for HBsAg.
• Demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy, with only one discrepant result in over 1000 patient sera tested against a third-generation assay.

Conclusions:

• A novel monoclonal antibody against HBsAg has been successfully developed using EBV transformation technology.
• The antibody exhibits excellent avidity, broad subtype recognition, and high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.
• This monoclonal antibody represents a valuable reagent for the reliable detection of HBsAg in clinical diagnostics.