Monoclonal Antibodies

• Monoclonal antibodies are antibodies that are produced by a single (mono) set of genetically identical plasma cells (a clone).
• Mabs are produced when a particular B-cell divides by mitosis to form a clone of itself, including plasma cells, which secrete many specific antibodies.
• Since the clone is produced from a single plasma cell, all of the cells secrete the same, specific antibody (the Mabs).
• It is now possible to produce a large clone of plasma cells in the laboratory.
• Mabs can be produced that have complementary shapes to abnormal proteins (antigens) on a particular type of cancer cell. This avoids potential harm to body cells as the receptors are different and so the antibodies cannot bind.
• The production of Mabs in a laboratory opens up many new techniques for the research, diagnosis, and treatment of medical disorders.
• To fight autoimmune diseases (e.g. Rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease), Mabs have been created to disable the substance TNF-alpha (which is involved in the response). The disabling of TNF-alpha calms down the immune system's attack and reduces the symptoms of this disease.