Monoclonal Antibodies

• What are monoclonal antibodies?

  monoclonal antibodies are antibodies that are made by identical immune cells, these are clones of the parent cell
• what are antibodies?

  y-shaped proteins made by lymphocytes
• what are antibodies specific to?

  one binding sight on one protein antigen and so are able to target a specific chemical or specific cells in the body
• how are antibodies produced?

  by stimulating mouse lymphocytes to make a particular antibody by exposing them to the antigen
• what is the process of antibodies being produced?

  1. antigen injected into mouse
  2. mouse produces lymphocytes
  3. lymphocytes fuse with a tumour cell to produce a hybridoma
  4. production of desired antibody leads to an endless supply of monoclonal antibodies
• where is the antigen injected?

  into a mouse and the antibodies combined with a tumour cell to make clones of the antibody
• What are the lymphocytes combined with?

  • a particular type of tumour cell to make a hybridoma cell
• why are tumour cells used?

  • tumour cells can divide repeatedly which is why they are used
• what can the hybridoma cell do?

  • can divide and produce the antibody
• what cells are cloned?

  single hybridoma cells are cloned, resulting in many divisions, making high quantities of identical cells that all produce the same antibody
• what amount of the antibody is collected?

  • a large amount of the antibody can be collected and purified ready for use
• what can the cloned antibodies be to?

  a specific protein on the cell or a particular chemicals
• What are monoclonal antibodies used for?

  • In pregnancy tests
  • In laboratories to measure the levels of hormones and other chemicals in blood (such as some cancer proteins), or to detect pathogens
  • In research to locate or identify specific molecules in a cell or tissue by binding to them with a fluorescent dye
  • To treat some diseases: for cancer the monoclonal antibody can be bound to a radioactive substance, a toxic drug or a chemical which stops cells growing and dividing. It delivers the substance to the cancer cells without harming other cells in the body
• How does a pregnancy test work?

  • the monoclonal antibodies are specific to a hormone produced in pregnancy, human chorionic gonadotrophin(HCG)
  • they will bind to the hormone if present and produce a colour change
• what are the different parts of the pregnancy test and what to they do?

  • sample pad - this part is dipped in urine
  • reaction zone - HCG-specific antibodies are here, they are mobile and contain a blue dye
  • result window - non-mobile(immobilised)HCG-specific antibodies are found here
  • control window - non-mobile(immobilised)antibodies complementary to the reaction zone antibodies
• how does diagnosis of disease work?

  • the monoclonal antibodies are specific to antigens found on the surface of pathogens, blood clots or cancer cells
  • they also contain markers that help the doctors to find the location of them, it's used in the test for prostate cancer
• how do monoclonal antibodies work in measuring and monitoring?

  • they can be used to detect not only the presence of a chemical or pathogen but the quantity
  • for example drug testing of athletes and screening blood for the presence of HIV
• how do monoclonal antibodies work in research?

  • monoclonal antibodies with a fluorescent dye attached can be used by scientists detect specific molecules in a cell or tissue
• how do monoclonal antibodies work in treating disease?

  • use of the monoclonal antibodies to trigger immune cells to destroy them
  • using monoclonal antibodies to block receptors, which stops them growing and dividing
  • carry toxic drugs, or radioactive substances for radiotherapy, to the site of the tumour
• what are advantages of monoclonal antibodies?

  • they only bind to specific molecules on diseased or damaged cell - they do not affect healthy cells
  • highly specific so can be produced to treat a range of conditions
  • hoped to be a cheaper procedure, and a tried and tested method of treating conditions
• what are the disadvantages of monoclonal antibodies?

  • caused more side effects than first expected, the use of mice antibodies caused complications, now humanised antibodies are being developed
  • it is an expensive process at the moment
  • producing specific monoclonal antibodies is proving to be more difficult than expected
• What is a monoclonal antibody?

  Antibodies produced from a single hybridoma clone
• How are monoclonal antibodies produced?

  By fusing lymphocytes with tumor cells
• What type of cells produce antibodies?

  White blood cells called lymphocytes
• What do antibodies stick to?

  Pathogens, which are foreign objects
• What triggers lymphocytes to produce antibodies?

  Foreign objects called antigens
• What is the role of antibodies in pregnancy testing kits?

  They detect specific hormones in urine
• What happens when a mouse is injected with an antigen?

  Lymphocytes produce antibodies against it
• What is the problem with lymphocytes in antibody production?

  They do not divide by mitosis
• What is a hybridoma?

  A cell produced by fusing lymphocytes and tumor cells
• Why are tumor cells used in hybridoma production?

  They divide well by mitosis
• What do hybridoma cells produce?

  Antibodies
• What is the significance of selecting a single hybridoma cell?

  It ensures the antibodies are identical
• What does cloning a hybridoma cell produce?

  A clone of identical hybridoma cells
• What are monoclonal antibodies specific to?

  One binding site on one protein antigen
• What is a benefit of monoclonal antibodies?

  They can target specific chemicals or cells
• What are the key facts about monoclonal antibodies?

  • Produced from a single clone of hybridoma cells
  • Specific to one binding site on one protein antigen
  • Target specific chemicals or cells in the body
  • Have numerous applications in medicine
• What will you find in the vision workbook related to monoclonal antibodies?

  Plenty of questions on monoclonal antibodies
• What should you be able to describe after watching the video?

  Monoclonal antibodies and their production