Monoclonal

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are antibodies that are made by identical immune cells that are all clones of a unique parent cell. Monoclonal antibodies can have monovalent affinity, in that they bind to the same epitope (the part of an antigen that is recognized by the antibody).

In contrast, polyclonal antibodies bind to multiple epitopes and are usually made by several different plasma cell (antibody-producing B cell) lineages. Bispecific monoclonal antibodies can also be engineered, by increasing their therapeutic efficacy or by gaining new functions.

History

The idea of a "magic bullet" was first proposed by Paul Ehrlich, who, at the beginning of the 20th century, postulated that if a compound could be made that selectively targeted a disease-causing organism, then a toxin for that organism could be delivered along with the agent of selectivity.

Production

Monoclonal antibodies are typically made by cell culture that involves fusing myeloma cells with mouse spleen cells immunized with the desired antigen. Rarely, the myeloma protein is an antibody against the desired antigen and it is then very easy to isolate from the serum and constitute the desired monoclonal antibody.

Uses

Monoclonal antibodies have been used in various ways such as diagnostics, therapeutics and in the research. In diagnostics, they are used in the techniques like ELISA, immunofluorescence, etc. In therapeutics, they are used in the treatment of different diseases like cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.

See also

• Antibody
• Polyclonal antibodies
• Hybridoma technology
• Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies

References

Monoclonal Resources
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