Introduction- Immunoglobulins are antigen binding proteins that binds with antigen. Whenever any antigen specially an extracellular antigen enters our body it stimulates a specific B cell that activate plasma cells to produce antibodies. 1Immune System- It is the defense mechanism of the body that fight against infectious organisms and other invaders.
There are two effector mechanism that mediate the immune response. 1 Cell mediated immune responseCell mediatedControls intracellular pathogensT-cell plays major role 2Humoral immune responseAntibody mediatedControls extracellular pathogenB-cell plays major role 2Antigen- Antigen is a substance that trigger the immune system to induce immune response. It is also called immunogen as it instigates an immune response. An epitope, also called antigenic determinant is the section of an antigen that has a definite molecular structure which is recognized by a specific immunoglobulin. Antigen may carry a single epitope or multiple epitopes. 1Antibody- Antibodies are the substances that are produced from B cells.
These protein molecules bind to immunogen and make them inactive by precipitating them. Antibodies are secreted by plasma cells and is an important part of the immune system. 1Monoclonal Antibody- Monoclonal antibodies are immunoglobulins that respond to only one specific epitope and derived from a single plasma cell. Monoclonal antibodies are obtained by using hybridoma technology. They can only identify and bind with a single epitope whereas polyclonal antibodies can bind with different epitopes at the same time. Milstein and Köhler produced the first monoclonal antibody in 1975.
3Hybridoma TechnologyMonoclonal antibodies are produced effectively by using hybridoma technology.Normally, plasma cells can be cultured on artificial media but they cannot subsist in artificial media and lifespan is too short. But in hybridoma technology the short lifespan of plasma cells is vanquished by merging a normal active B cell and a myeloma cell.
Thus, the hybridoma cells have the immortal growth properties of the myeloma cell and antibody secreting properties of the active B cells. These cells are then be cultured on artificial media. 1Production of Monoclonal Antibody Using Hybridoma Technology-The steps required for the production of monoclonal antibodies-Immunize the animal for antibody productionCell fusionHybridoma cell selectionScreening CloningCharacterization and storage 41.
Immunization of AnimalFirst step of hybridoma technology is to immunize an animal with particular antigen. Usually mices are used.A suitable adjuvant is selected and appropriate antigen is compounded with the adjuvant. Then the antigen adjuvant mixture is injected subcutaneously at multiple sites.
Injections are given in a repetitive manner. Thus, immunization of the mice will incite immune response.B cell will be produced in response to the particular invader.When optimal antibody concentration is achieved, the animal is immolated.
Its spleen is removed and lymphocytes of the spleen (spleenocyte) are collected by mechanical techniques. 42. Cell FusionSpleenocytes are mixed with HGPRT defective myeloma cells.In polyethylene glycol (PEG) the mixture is exposed for a short period of time.Thus’ these two cells are fused together.PEG is eliminated by washing and the cells are kept in fresh medium.Now the medium may contain free plasma cells, fused plasma cells, free myeloma cell, fused myeloma cells and our type of interest hybridoma cells. 43.
Hybridoma Cell SelectionFor the selection, the cells will be transferred into HAT media. HAT stands for Hypoxanthine aminopterin thymidine.For the cell division to take place in the artificial media, the cells must synthesize nucleotides for new DNA copy.There are two pathways for the formation of nucleotides. Salvage pathway where new nucleotides are formed from degraded nucleotides and second one is de novo pathway where nucleotides are formed using small metabolites.In HAT media, cells cannot operate de novo pathway because aminopterin of the HAT media blocks a key enzyme that is dihydrofolate reductase. So, cells undergo the salvage pathway which is HGPRT dependent.
HGPRT enzyme uses hypoxanthine and thymidine as precursor to form new nucleotides.Only the hybridoma cells can grow in HAT media. Because hybridoma cells are HGPRT positive.
Plasma cells both fused and free also have HGPRT but due to their short lifespan they cannot survive. But myeloma cells (both fused and unfused) have defective HGPRT. So, they cannot grow in the HAT media. 5 6So now we will get only hybridomas from the medium.
These selected cells are then distributed into multi well culture plates and it is done in a way that each well contain a single cell. 44. ScreeningThe hybridoma cells are screened for the secretion of specific antibody.There are two techniques for screening.
One is ELISA and other one is RIAIn both assays the antigen is coated to plastic plates and the antibody attaches to the specific antigen.Thus, the unbound antibody and other components of the medium is removed by washing.In this way, the hybridoma is identified.The antibodies that are secreted from the hybridoma cells are called monoclonal antibodies. 45. CloningSingle hybridoma cells yielding antibody of single specificity are sequestrated and cloned.
Two methods are most commonly used. One is limiting dilution method and soft agar method. 46. Characterization and StorageStructural and physiological characterization of monoclonal antibody is a must.Structural characterization may include 1.Amino acid sequence 2.Carbohydrate structure 3.Sulphydryl groups etc.
7Physiological analysis may include 1.Molecular weight and size 2.Electrophoretic pattern etc.
7 It is necessary to determine immunoglobulin sub-class.MAbs should be characterized for determining their capability to withstand freezing, thawing etc.The cells are preserved in liquid nitrogen.
4ConclusionThe hybridoma technology has opened the way for the commercialization of monoclonal antibodies. The one main problem with this technology is that it takes months to yield monoclonal antibodies. Research is going on to overcome this problem. Anyways, monoclonal antibody production can be considered as a milestone.
They are being used widely in treatment of diseases like cancer. Example of some FDA approved monoclonal antibody drug is abciximab, omalizumab etc. MAbs are also being used as a diagnostic tool. 8BibliographyKulkarni, G. (2002). Biotechnology and its applications in pharmacy. 46th ed.
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