Abstract
The B cell lymphoma-6 (Bcl-6) and Bcl-xL proteins are expressed in germinal center B cells and enable them to endure the proliferative and mutagenic environment of the germinal center. By introducing these genes into peripheral blood memory B cells and culturing these cells with two factors produced by follicular helper T cells, CD40 ligand (CD40L) and interleukin-21 (IL-21), we convert them to highly proliferating, cell surface B cell receptor (BCR)-positive, immunoglobulin-secreting B cells with features of germinal center B cells, including expression of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID). We generated cloned lines of B cells specific for respiratory syncytial virus and used these cells as a source of antibodies that effectively neutralized this virus in vivo. This method provides a new tool to study B cell biology and signal transduction through antigen-specific B cell receptors and for the rapid generation of high-affinity human monoclonal antibodies.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / biosynthesis*
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Antibodies, Monoclonal / genetics
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Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology
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Antibodies, Viral / immunology
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B-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
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B-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism*
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Cell Line
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Cytidine Deaminase / biosynthesis
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Cytidine Deaminase / genetics
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Cytidine Deaminase / metabolism
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DNA-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis
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DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
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Enzyme Activation
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Flow Cytometry
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Humans
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Immunologic Memory
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Phenotype
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6
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Rats
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Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / biosynthesis*
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Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / genetics
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Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / immunology
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Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / immunology
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Tetanus Toxin / immunology
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Transduction, Genetic
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Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7 / immunology
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bcl-X Protein / biosynthesis
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bcl-X Protein / genetics
Substances
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Antibodies, Monoclonal
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Antibodies, Neutralizing
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Antibodies, Viral
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BCL2L1 protein, human
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BCL6 protein, human
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6
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Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell
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Tetanus Toxin
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Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7
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bcl-X Protein
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Cytidine Deaminase