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.