Fish Immunology (1+1)

Unit 8- Antibody (Immunoglobulin)

8.4.Monoclonal anitbody
Each B lymphocyte in an organism synthesizes only one kind of antibody and a huge population of different types of B cells can be seen in an organism capable of producing specific antibodies to the various antigens that the organism had been exposed to. Specific population of B cells would produce a specific type of antibody so that we can get a single kind of antibody. Monoclonal antibodies are single B lymphocyte generating antibodies to one specific epitope.
In 1975 Kohler and Milstein developed a technology to fuse immortal Myleoma cells with B cells, using poly ethylglycol (PEG). The resulting cell type is called a hybridoma. This hybridoma takes on the characteristics of both the B cell (that produce antibody) and Myeloma cell (which is immortal), creating an immortal cell with the ability to produce antibody. This hybridoma cells are selectively grown using HAT media. As the hybridoma cells grow they produce a specific antibody which is called a Monoclonal antibody.
Advantages

• Once hybridomas are made it is a constant and renewable source and all batches will be identical
• They are less likely to cross-react with other proteins

Disadvantage

• High technology required.
• Training is required for the technology used.
• Time scale is long for hybridomas.