Chimeric antibody

Chimeric Antibody

A Chimeric antibody is a type of monoclonal antibody that is engineered in the laboratory by combining the variable region of a murine (mouse) antibody with the constant region of a human antibody. This process is known as antibody engineering.

History

The development of chimeric antibodies marked a significant advancement in the field of immunotherapy. The first chimeric antibody, Rituximab, was approved by the FDA in 1997 for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Structure and Function

Chimeric antibodies are composed of two distinct parts: the variable region, which is responsible for binding to the antigen, and the constant region, which interacts with immune cells and complement proteins. The variable region is derived from a mouse antibody, while the constant region is human-derived. This design allows the chimeric antibody to retain the specificity of the mouse antibody while reducing the risk of immunogenicity.

Production

The production of chimeric antibodies involves the use of recombinant DNA technology. The genes encoding the variable region of the mouse antibody and the constant region of the human antibody are isolated and then combined in a laboratory. The resulting chimeric gene is then inserted into a host cell, such as a CHO cell, which produces the chimeric antibody.

Applications

Chimeric antibodies have a wide range of applications in both research and medicine. They are used in the treatment of various diseases, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases. In addition, they are used in diagnostic tests and as research tools.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The main advantage of chimeric antibodies is their reduced immunogenicity compared to fully mouse antibodies. This makes them more suitable for long-term treatment. However, they still have a higher risk of immunogenicity compared to fully human antibodies. Another disadvantage is the complexity and cost of their production.

See Also

• Monoclonal antibody
• Antibody engineering
• Humanized antibody
• Fully human antibody