Immune System Technology and Diagnostic Assays

Adjuvants and the Amplification of Immune Responses

  • Definition of an Adjuvant: An adjuvant is a substance specifically designed to enhance the body’s immune response to a given antigen.

  • Functional Role: It acts effectively as an immune amplifier.

  • Examples provided include:

    • Aluminum salts.

    • Oil in water emulsions of dead mycobacteria.

  • Clinical Application: Adjuvants are often administered alongside a vaccine to ensure a more robust and enhanced immune response.

Protein Detection via the Western Blot (Immunoblot) Technique

  • Primary Subject: The Western blot is used to test and identify proteins.

  • Alternative Nomenclature: This procedure is also known as an immunoblot.

  • Methodology and Process:

    • The process begins with an SDS PAGE gel.

    • The contents of the gel are then transferred onto a nylon support paper.

    • This support paper is subsequently —probed— using a specific antibody of interest to identify and locate a specific protein target.

Detailed Analysis of the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

  • Definition and Overview: ELISA stands for Enzyme linked immune-sorbent assay. It is a biological assay that utilizes 22 antibodies to detect a specific target molecule.

  • Components of the Assay:

    • Primary Antibody: This antibody is directed specifically against the molecule of interest.

    • Secondary Antibody: This antibody is designed to recognize and bind to the constant region of the primary antibody. It is engineered to contain an attached enzyme.

  • Enzymatic Detection: The enzyme most commonly used in this process is horseradish peroxidase.

  • Sensitivity and Precision: Due to the enzymatic amplification, the binding of these antibodies can be detected even at extremely low concentrations.

  • Practical Applications:

    • Used to titer antibodies.

    • Used to detect various molecules at low concentrations.

    • Specific Example: Used in certain types of drug tests.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and the Gardisil Vaccine

  • Vaccine Classification: The —gardisil— vaccine used specifically against HPV is described as being nonavalent.

  • Definition of Nonavalent: In this context, it means that the vaccine is synthesized from 99 epitopes of commonly encountered strains of HPV.

  • Pathogenic Impact of HPV: The Human Papilloma Virus is the pathogen responsible for several conditions, including:

    • Warts.

    • Genital warts.

    • Cervical cancers.

Hybridoma Technology for Monoclonal Antibody Production

  • Definition of a Hybridoma: A hybridoma is a specialized cell created through the fusion of an antibody-producing B cell with a myeloma, which is a type of cancer cell.

  • Purpose of Hyperidoma Engineering:

    • Increased Longevity: The fusion with a cancer cell allows the B cell to live significantly longer, effectively making the resulting cell immortal.

    • Specific Production: The primary goal of this technology is to produce a single, consistent type of antibody, known as a monoclonal antibody.