Generation of human B-cell hybridomas secreting monoclonal anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein antibodies from a patient with neuropathy.

Human hybridomas that secrete monoclonal IgM anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein antibodies were generated by fusion with cells from a patient with peripheral neuropathy and IgM monoclonal gammopathy. Karyotypic analysis of the hybridoma cells revealed no chromosomal abnormalities. The cells were positive for cell-surface idiotype HLA-DR and the plasma cell antigen PCA-1, and negative for the B-cell determinant B4 and for Leu-1, which has been postulated to distinguish a subpopulation of B cells that secrete IgM with autoantibody activity.