Monoclonal Antibodies

Abstract

Abstract Antibodies bind to target molecules strongly and specifically and are therefore useful reagents in research, diagnosis and therapy. Antibodies taken from the blood of immunised animals are a mixture of different immunoglobulins produced by many B cells, and are known as polyclonal antibodies. In contrast, monoclonal antibodies are antibodies with a unique specificity, generally made by cells containing a particular immunoglobulin gene set derived from a single cell or a clone of B cells. Monoclonal antibodies can be produced in cell culture and are therefore more reproducible from batch to batch than polyclonal antibodies. Most of the monoclonal antibodies currently used were generated from mice using the hybridoma technology. However, recently powerful alternative technologies have been developed for the generation of monoclonal antibodies, especially fully human antibodies. These methods are based on the cloning and sequencing of the immunoglobulin genes from antigen‐specific B cells followed by the generation of recombinant antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies have become essential reagents in many research and diagnostic applications, and are increasingly used in therapy, generating a multibillion dollar industry. Key Concepts Antibodies form part of the vertebrate immune response, binding with high affinity and specificity to target molecules (antigens). Antibodies are able to neutralise and remove antigens and modulate biological functions. Antibodies that bind to target molecules can be made by injecting an animal with antigens, from immune individuals or synthetic libraries. One B cells makes just one antibody with a unique specificity, but from the blood, we get a mixture of the antibodies produced by many B cells (polyclonal antibodies). A monoclonal antibody is an antibody, which is obtained by expanding and immortalising a single clone of B‐cells with a defined specificity. Monoclonal antibodies provide specific reagents for almost any molecular structure. Monoclonal antibodies can be used to identify, quantify, isolate or remove the target molecule in complex biological mixtures or in tissues. Monoclonal antibodies can be injected into patients for the treatment of a wide range of diseases including infections, cancer, cardiovascular diseases and autoimmune diseases. Advances in molecular biological technologies make it possible to modify monoclonal antibodies to achieve enhanced therapeutic effects with minimal side effects.