Generation Of High-Potency Human Monoclonal Antibodies From Single Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes

Selected Lymphocyte Antibody Method (SLAM) is a novel but simple and efficient method to generate monoclonal antibodies of defined specificity from any species. It involves the identification and isolation of specific, single antibody-secreting B lymphocytes, derived for example from human peripheral blood, the cloning of heavy and light chain immunoglobulin V region cDNAs by RT-PCR, and expression of the antigen-binding regions in a form appropriate for a given use. Human monoclonal antibodies specific for three different antigens were produced by this method. The SLAM-generated antibodies were of high affinity and neutralized toxin or viral infectivity at low concentrations. This method can be used to rapidly generate finely targeted monoclonal antibodies from multiple species and should provide new therapeutic or diagnostic agents, research tools and insights into the immune repertoire.