Method for generating libraries of antibody genes comprising amplification of diverse antibody DNAs and methods for using these libraries for the production of diverse antigen combining molecules

Abstract

A method of producing libraries of genes encoding antigen-combining molecules or antibodies is described. In addition, a method of producing antigen-combining molecules which does not require an in vivo procedure is described. Vectors useful in the present method and antigen-combining molecules produced by the method are discussed. The antigen-combining molecules are useful for the detection, quantitation, purification and neutralization of antigens, as well as for diagnostic, therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A host cell producing a DNA encoding an antigen-combining protein produced by the method of: 
 providing DNA containing genes encoding antigen-combining proteins;    inserting said DNA into a framework antibody vector; and    introducing said DNA and antibody framework vector into a host cell.    
     
     
         2 . The host cell of  claim 1 , wherein the host cell is prokaryotic.  
     
     
         3 . The host cell of  claim 1 , wherein the host cell is eukaryotic.  
     
     
         4 . The host cell of  claim 3 , wherein the host cell is an immortalized cultured mammalian cell.  
     
     
         5 . The host cell of  claim 4 , wherein the immortalized cultured mammalian cell is a myeloma or plasmacytoma cell.  
     
     
         6 . The host cell of  Claim 1  wherein said DNA is introduced into the host cell by a method selected from the group consisting of: electroporation, calcium phosphate coprecipitation, protoplast fusion, viral infection, and cell fusion.  
     
     
         7 . The host cell of  claim 1 , wherein the DNA containing genes encoding antigen-combining proteins encodes an antigen-combining protein selected from the group consisting of: 
 an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region and an immunoglobulin light chain variable region.    
     
     
         8 . The host cell of  claim 1 , wherein the antigen-combining proteins comprise antibodies.  
     
     
         9 . Host cells producing antibodies, produced by a method comprising: 
 providing DNA comprising genes encoding antibodies;    inserting the DNA into framework antibody vectors; and    introducing said framework antibody vectors into host cells.    
     
     
         10 . The host cells of  claim 9 , wherein said DNA comprises a vector.  
     
     
         11 . The host cells of  claim 10 , wherein said vector is an expression vector.  
     
     
         12 . The host cells of  claim 9 , wherein the host cells are prokaryotic.  
     
     
         13 . The host cells of  claim 9 , wherein the host cells are eukaryotic.  
     
     
         14 . The host cells of  claim 13 , wherein the host cells are an immortalized cultured mammalian cell line.  
     
     
         15 . The host cells of  claim 14 , wherein the immortalized cultured mammalian cell line is a myeloma or plasmacytoma cell line.  
     
     
         16 . The host cells of  claim 9 , wherein said DNA is introduced into the host cells by a method selected from the group consisting of: electroporation, calcium phosphate coprecipitation, protoplast fusion, viral infection, and cell fusion.  
     
     
         17 . The host cells of  claim 9 , wherein the DNA containing genes encoding antibodies encodes immunoglobulin heavy chain variable regions or immunoglobulin light chain variable regions.