Induction of antibody-producing cell lines by Epstein-Barr virus

This work makes a critical evaluation of EBV transformation as a tool for establishing human antibody producing lines. Since Steinitz et al. described the technique in 1977, at least 9 lymphoid cell lines with predetermined specificities have been reported with activity against NNP, TNP, A-CHO, phosphorylcholine, human Ig, Rh-D antigen and tetanus toxoid. Most successful attempts were based on the choice of immune donors and on the adequate selection of peripheral antigen-specific B cells with antigen-coated erythrocytes. When lines were established, a further selection of antigen-specific lymphoblastoid cells using several steps of rosetting or cloning proved to be necessary, in order to get mono- or oligoclonal lines, and thus to maintain an antibody production for a prolonged period (up to 18 months). Secretion ranged from 0.1 to 16 micrograms antibody per ml, depending on the lines. Two of the antibodies produced are used as biological reagents. When compared to hybridomas, EBV transformed lines have the disadvantage of a lower colony forming efficiency, and usually a lower level of antibody secretion. On the other hand, if fusion of EBV induced lymphoblastoid cell lines proves to be possible with human myeloma lines and results in the creation of hybridomas, EBV transformation might reveal a useful technique to raise minute amounts of antigen specific cells to the amount of cells required for the fusion techniques.