Human-human hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies to the Mr 195,000 Plasmodium falciparum blood stage antigen.

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Abstract
Using the human lymphoblastoid cell line, GM 4672, and PBL of Gambian adults immune to Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) malaria, we have produced human-human hybridomas and selected those that produce mAb against Pf antigens. The fusion frequency, using PWM-stimulated donor lymphocytes was between 6.8 X 10(-5) and 1.5 X 10(-6). Using immune fluorescence, immune precipitation, and Pf in vitro growth inhibition, we cloned four hybridomas that reacted with the Pf Mr 195,000 schizont/merozoite protein. The differences in proteins immune precipitated and in growth inhibition indicate that, during development of protective immunity against Pf malaria, a spectrum of antibodies is produced reacting with different epitopes on the same antigen. Only a portion of these antibodies exhibits biological activity, suggesting that the recognition of certain epitopes is required for the development of a protective immune response.