GMP-production of purified human B lymphocytes for the adoptive transfer in patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Background We have recently shown that memory B cells from murine CMV immune donor animals adoptively transferred into immunodeficient mice were highly effective in protecting from a viral infection indicating a therapeutic potential of virus specific memory B cells. These preclinical data provided evidence that a cell-based strategy supporting the humoral immune response might be effective in a clinical setting of immunodeficiency after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. As adoptive transfer of B cells has not been used before in a clinical setting it was necessary to establish a technology for the generation of good manufacturing practice (GMP)-grade B cell products.