Patent ID: 8298823
Filing Date: 2012-10-30
Classification: B01L,C12N,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for simultaneously producing a plurality of populations of antibodies having different binding specificities, the method comprising: (a) preparing a plurality of populations of dendritic cells, wherein each population of dendritic cells is matured in a separate culture in the presence of a different exogenous antigen, comprising adding peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to a plurality of separate vaccination site (VS) cultures, wherein the VS cultures are organized in a first multi-well format, wherein each of the VS cultures comprises a first substantially planar matrix, a plurality of cells consisting of endothelial cells and/or epithelial cells attached to the first matrix and an exogenous antigen of interest, wherein the exogenous antigen of interest differs between each VS culture, under conditions promoting maturation of dendritic cell precursors present in the population of PBMCs to dendritic cells; and (b) transferring each population of dendritic cells of (a) to separate three-dimensional artificial lymphoid tissue equivalent (LTE) cultures, wherein the LTE cultures are organized in a second multi-well format, wherein each of the LTE cultures comprises a second matrix and a plurality of lymphocytes attached to the second matrix, under conditions promoting production of antibodies by the lymphocytes, thereby simultaneously producing a plurality of populations of antibodies having different binding specificities.