Monoclonal Antibodies

What are monoclonal antibodies?

Antibodies made to be identical to the parent cell and are immune cells specific to one (different proteins) binding site to target specific cells

What are antibodies produced by?

B-lymphocytes - a type of white blood cell

What are monoclonal antibodies produced from?

Lots of clones of a single white blood cells - all antibodies are identical and will only target one specific protein antigen

How to make monoclonal antibodies

1. Insert antigen into spleen of mouse
2. Lymphocytes produce antibodies
3. B-Lymphocyte is extracted + fused with tumour cell
4. Fusing of lymphocyte and tumour cell = hybridoma
5. Culture hybridoma to multiply for many uses

Hybridoma cell

A cell made by fusing a B-lymphocyte and a cancer cell.

Why do we use hybridoma cells?

• Clonable
  • Production of monoclonal antibodies
  • Antibodies collected and purified

Why are monoclonal antibodies really useful?

They will only bind to this molecule - this means you can use them to target a specific cell or chemical in the body

What are the everyday uses for hybridoma cells?

1. Diagnosis + Treating cancer
2. Pregnancy Tests

How do hybridoma cells help with diagnosis?

• monoclonal antibodies with dye attach to diseased cell will light
• if no disease then no binding

How do hybridoma cells help with treating cancers?

• Cancer cells have antigens on their cell membranes (specific to cancer) called tumour markers
• Lab grown monoclonal antibodies to bind to tumour markers
• Anti cancer drug (radioactive substance, toxic drug, chemical restricting growth and division) attached to monoclonal antibodies
• Antibodies given to patient through drip
• Antibodies target specific cells (cancerous) because they only bind to tumour markers
• DRUG KILLS CANCER CELLS BUT NOT HEALTHY CELLS

How do hybridoma cells help with pregnancy tests?

• Pregnancy = HCG hormone in urine
• In test there are monoclonal antibodies specific to HCG
• The urine moves antibodies to antigens for the control test
• As mobile monoclonal antibodies move to the control the ones binded to the HCG will produce a result dye

What are the advantages of monoclonal antibodies?

• Bind to specific cells (don't harm healthy cells)
• Cheaper long term for diagnosis

What are the disadvantages of monoclonal antibodies?

• Range of side effects (use of mouse)
• Expensive short term for diagnosis
• Difficult to produce