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Monoclonal Vs Polyclonal antibodies: Key features

This article describes monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, highlighting similarities and key differences. It further explores the applications of antibodies from research to pharma in diseases areas like cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.

Monoclonal Vs Polyclonal Antibodies  

An antibody is a protein produced by the body's immune system in response to a foreign substance, called an antigen. Specifically, antibodies are produced by B-cells in response to an antigen. The antibody binds to the surface of the B-cell and causes the B-cell to produce more antibodies. Antibodies are made up of two heavy chains and two light chains. The variable region of the antibody's heavy chain determines its specificity, meaning that it will only bind to one particular antigen. Antibodies are Y-shaped proteins that have two arms, each of which is responsible for binding to a different antigen. Antibodies recognize and attach to antigens in order to neutralize them. They are critical to a functioning immune system.

There are two types of antibodies: monoclonal and polyclonal. The main difference between monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies is their level of specificity. Monoclonal antibodies are more specific than polyclonal antibodies because they are created by immune cells that have been exposed to only one antigen. This means that monoclonal antibodies can only attach to and neutralize one specific type of antigen. Polyclonal antibodies, on the other hand, are less specific because they are created by immune cells that have been exposed to multiple antigens. This means that polyclonal antibodies can attach to and neutralize multiple different types of antigens.

A schematic detailing the structure of an antibody

What is a recombinant protein?

A recombinant protein is a protein that has been created by combining two or more different proteins. The process of creating a recombinant protein is called recombination. Recombinant proteins are often used in research and medicine. For example, researchers might create a recombinant protein that contains the antibody portion of an antibody molecule and the receptor portion of a cell surface receptor molecule. This recombinant protein would then be able to attach to and neutralize an antigen.

What are the advantages of monoclonal vs polyclonal antibodies?

Monoclonal antibodies have several advantages over polyclonal antibodies. They are more specific and less likely to cause side effects. Additionally, monoclonal antibodies can be produced in large quantities. Further advantages of monoclonal antibodies include their high specificity, their long half-lives, and their low immunogenicity. However, monoclonal antibodies are more expensive to produce than polyclonal antibodies and they may not bind as well to an antigen. in addition monoclonal antibodies have a short shelf life, and must be injected.

Polyclonal antibodies have several advantages over monoclonal antibodies. They are more likely to bind to an antigen, they can bind to multiple epitopes on an antigen, and they can be produced more quickly. However, polyclonal antibodies are more likely to cause side effects, such as allergies, and they are less specific than monoclonal antibodies.

What are the uses of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies?

The first human monoclonal antibody was produced in 1975 and since then monoclonal antibodies have been used in a wide range of applications including cancer therapy, autoimmune disease treatment, and diagnosis of infectious diseases. Polyclonal antibodies were first isolated in 1891 and they have a wide range of applications in research and medicine. Both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies are often used to treat diseases, such as cancer, and they can be used in research. Additionally, monoclonal antibodies are sometimes used as drugs.

Monoclonal Antibodies

Product Name Size Reactivity

-

Mouse

-

Mouse

120 µL- 200 µL

Human, Rat, Mouse

Monoclonal antibodies as drugs

Monoclonal antibodies are sometimes used as drugs. For example, the monoclonal antibody rituximab is used to treat certain types of cancer. Omalizumab (brand name: Xolair) is a monoclonal antibody that targets the protein IgE, which is involved in allergies. Omalizumab is used to treat allergies. Rituximab (brand name: Rituxan) is a monoclonal antibody that targets the protein CD20, which is found on the surface of B cells. Rituximab is used to treat certain types of cancer, including leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumors. Trastuzumab (Herceptin) is a monoclonal antibody that targets the protein HER2, which is found on the surface of some cancer cells. Trastuzumab is used to treat certain types of breast cancer and stomach cancer. Adalimumab (Humira) is a monoclonal antibody that targets the protein TNF, which is involved in inflammation. Adalimumab is used to treat a variety of inflammatory diseases, including Crohn's disease, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Cancer therapy

Monoclonal antibody therapy is a cancer treatment that uses monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to target and destroy cancer cells. Monoclonal antibody therapy is used to treat a variety of cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumors. Monoclonal antibody therapy works by targeting specific proteins on the surface of cancer cells. These proteins are known as antigens. Monoclonal antibody therapy is used to treat cancer because it can specifically target and kill cancer cells without harming normal, healthy cells. Polyclonal antibody therapy is a treatment that uses polyclonal antibodies (PAbs) to target and destroy cancer cells. Polyclonal antibody therapy is used to treat a variety of cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumors. Polyclonal antibody therapy works by targeting specific proteins on the surface of cancer cells. These proteins are known as antigens. Polyclonal antibody therapy is used to treat cancer because it can specifically target and kill cancer cells without harming normal, healthy cells. The main difference between polyclonal antibody therapy and monoclonal antibody therapy is the type of antibody that is used. Monoclonal antibody therapy uses monoclonal antibodies, which are created by immune cells that have been exposed to only one antigen. This means that monoclonal antibody therapy is more specific than polyclonal antibody therapy. Additionally, monoclonal antibody therapy is more expensive than polyclonal antibody therapy. Polyclonal antibody therapy uses polyclonal antibodies, which are created by immune cells that have been exposed to multiple antigens. This means that polyclonal antibody therapy is less specific than monoclonal antibody therapy.

Immunofluorescence analysis of C6 cells using a-Tubulin Mouse mAb (CABC012) at dilution of 1:100 (40x lens). Blue: DAPI for nuclear staining.

Research

Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies are used in research. They can be used to study the structure and function of proteins, to purify proteins, and to detect proteins. Additionally, monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies can be used in diagnostic tests. For example, the PSA test, which is used to screen for prostate cancer, uses a monoclonal antibody that binds to the protein PSA.

Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) use polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies to detect the presence of an antigen in a sample. ELISAs are used in a variety of settings, including medical diagnosis and research. ELISAs can be used to detect the presence of proteins, hormones, antibodies, and other molecules in a sample.

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a technique that uses antibodies to detect the presence of antigens in cells. IHC is used in medical diagnosis and research. IHC can be used to detect the presence of proteins, hormones, antibodies, and other molecules in cells.

Western blotting is a technique that uses antibodies to detect the presence of proteins in a sample. Western blotting is used in research and medical diagnosis. Western blotting can be used to detect the presence of proteins, hormones, antibodies, and other molecules in a sample.

Immunoprecipitation (IP) is a technique that uses antibodies to purify proteins from a sample. IP is used in research and medical diagnosis. IP can be used to purify proteins, hormones, antibodies, and other molecules from a sample.

Polyclonal Antibodies

Product Name Size Reactivity

120 µL

Human, Mouse, Rat

-

Human, Mouse, Rat

120 µL- 200 µL

Human, Rat, Mouse

How are monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies produced?

Monoclonal antibodies are produced by immune cells that have been exposed to only one antigen. These immune cells are then fused with cancer cells to create monoclonal antibody-producing hybridomas. Polyclonal antibodies are produced by immune cells that have been exposed to multiple antigens. These immune cells are then injected into a animal, such as a rabbit or goat, where they produce polyclonal antibodies. The polyclonal antibody-containing blood is then collected and the antibodies are purified from the blood. Finally, the purified antibodies are injected into a human patient.

What are the side effects of monoclonal and polyclonal antibody therapy?

The side effects of monoclonal antibody therapy can include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue. The side effects of polyclonal antibody therapy can include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and fatigue. In rare cases, both monoclonal and polyclonal antibody therapies can cause anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.


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20th Jul 2022 Rebecca Power M.Sc

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