METHODS FOR INCREASING THE DIVERSITY OF MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES PRODUCED AGAINST AN ANTIGEN

摘要

The present invention relates to methods for increasing the diversity of monoclonal antibodies produced against an antigen. The methods of the invention utilize immunization of a murine host defective in one or more enzymes involved in a post-translational modification of a polypeptide or a modification of a lipid, wherein said modification is exposed on a cell surface. The invention also relates to monoclonal antibodies produced by these methods and which are not produced when a normal mouse is immunized with the same antigen. The invention further relates to compositions comprising these monoclonal antibodies, as well as to such monoclonal antibodies bound or conjugated to a toxin, a detectable marker or to a solid support.