What are Monoclonal Antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are laboratory-made proteins designed to mimic natural antibodies produced by the human body. Our immune systems create antibodies to help identify and dispel foreign invaders such as bacteria, viruses, and other substances. Monoclonal antibodies have been designed to have the same effect, targeting and binding to specific molecules in order to neutralize, act as bridges between or tag them for easier identification.

Monoclonal antibodies are formed with the help of hybridoma cells. Hybridomas are created by fusing two distinct cells – an immune cell called a B lymphocyte and a cultured cancer cell – that retains the ability to multiply indefinitely in culture. When the fused B-cell receptor binds to an antigen, a specific monoclonal antibody is also formed. It is then harvested from the culture media and mass-produced in the laboratory.

Applications of Monoclonal Antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies are used widely in medical research and clinical practice to diagnose and treat numerous diseases. They are powerful diagnostic tools that have the potential to detect protein biomarkers and other disease markers, providing a more accurate diagnosis at an earlier point in a patient’s treatment process. The antibodies are also used in countless laboratory procedures, such as immune-histochemistry, that are widely used for research and diagnostic purposes.

In addition to diagnostics and research, many monoclonal antibodies have been approved for therapeutic use. MAb-based therapies are being actively studied to treat infectious diseases, allergies, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and severe inflammatory conditions. The principal mechanism of action is immunomodulation, by targeting antibodies to select receptors and cell surface proteins presenting specific antigenic determinants. This process can alter the immune reaction and even induce apoptosis or cell death in specific cells, allowing for a more targeted treatment approach.

Conclusion

Monoclonal antibodies are an invaluable asset in the medical and research communities. As valuable diagnostic and therapeutic agents, they offer an unprecedented level of accuracy and can help to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions at an earlier stage. With numerous applications and more being identified each day, monoclonal antibodies are paving the way for more targeted and effective treatments.