Hybrid hybridoma producing a bispecific monoclonal antibody that can focus effector T-cell activity

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that heteroconjugates of monoclonal antibodies in which one of the component antibodies is directed at the T-cell receptor and the other is directed against any chosen site can focus effector T cells to function at the targeted site. We report here the production of a hybrid hybridoma cell line, H1.10.1.6, which secretes large amounts of a bispecific hybrid antibody of the IgG2a class, that can focus T-cell activity. The parental hybridoma lines for the secondary fusion were F23.1, which secretes an antibody specific for an allotypic determinant on the T-cell receptor of most mouse strains, and 19E12, secreting an anti-Thy-1.1 antibody. The bispecific hybrid antibody was partially purified by hydroxylapatite chromatography and characterized by isoelectric focusing. It efficiently targets Thy-1.1-expressing tumor cells for lysis by F23.1 receptor-positive cytotoxic T-cell clones in vitro. Such hybrid antibodies produced by hybrid hybridoma cell lines may have application in the therapeutic targeting of tumors or sites of viral infections for attack by T cells.