Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are produced by cell lines or clones derived from animals that have been immunized with a specific substance.
Monoclonal antibodies are valuable tools in biomedical research, disease diagnosis, and the treatment of various conditions, including infections and cancer. According to the provided reference, these highly specific antibodies are generated through a process involving cell lines or clones obtained from animals that have been immunized with the substance that is the subject of study.
This production method can be broken down into key steps:
- Immunization: Animals, such as mice, are injected with the specific antigen (the substance of study) to trigger an immune response.
- Antibody Production: The animal's immune system recognizes the antigen and produces antibodies, including B cells that generate the desired monoclonal antibodies.
- Cell Isolation: B cells producing the specific antibody are isolated from the immunized animal (typically from the spleen).
- Cell Line/Clone Generation: These antibody-producing cells are then used to establish stable cell lines or clones. These clones are capable of continuously producing large quantities of the identical monoclonal antibody.
This process ensures a consistent supply of antibodies that are identical in structure and bind to the same specific target site on the antigen, making them exceptionally useful for targeted applications in medicine and research.
Summary of Production Method
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Immunization | Animals are exposed to the target substance (antigen). |
| Cell Isolation | Antibody-producing cells (like B cells) are retrieved from the immunized animal. |
| Cell Line Creation | Cell lines or clones obtained from animals that have been immunized with the substance that is the subject of study are established. |
| Antibody Production | The established cell lines/clones continuously produce identical monoclonal antibodies. |
This method, relying on cell lines derived from immunized animals, forms the basis for generating the specific monoclonal antibodies required for diagnostic, therapeutic, and research purposes.
