Methods and compositions for inducible extracellular membrane capture of monoclonal immunoglobulins secreted by hybridomas

Abstract

Compositions and methods are provided for making and using a cell having expressed on its outer plasma membrane surface an Anchor designed to form a first complex with a selected Linker. The Linker is designed to form a second complex with in a target protein that is not recognized by the Anchor. These cells can be primary cells or immortalized cells, they function as fusion partners to create hybridoma cells. The cells can be designed to bind a secreted targeted protein, e.g., a secreted antibody, to the cell surface via an immune complex formed by the Anchor-Linker and permit the identification of the existence, antigen specificity, and antigen binding affinity, titer, amount, or biological activity of the target protein. In certain embodiments, the Linker is of a species heterologous to the species of the Anchor; and the target protein is of a species heterologous to the Linker and to the Anchor.