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Monoclonal Antibodies, Hybridoma, and Isotyping
Definitions
Monoclonal Antibodies - Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) are specific and identical antibodies produced by one type of immune cell that are all clones of a single parent cell. It is possible to create monoclonal antibodies that detect a specific target antigen, thereby reducing unwanted side effects. They are typically produced in mice, but other hosts are capable of developing mAbs. Monoclonal antibodies have become important tools in healthcare, especially in therapeutics for cancer.
Hybridoma - Hybridoma is the name of the fusion derived immortalized antibody producing cell line produced from the hybridization of an antibody producing B cell and an immortal myeloma tumor cell. The antibodies produced from the hybridoma are called monoclonal antibodies. The process was developed by Georges Köhler, César Milstein, and Niels Kaj Jerne in 1975.
Isotype - In immunology, the "immunoglobulin isotype" or class refers to the genetic variations or differences in the constant region of the heavy chain of the immunoglobulin protein. In mice and humans, there are five (5) isotypes: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM. Within these itotypes or classes, there are subtypes or subclasses that further categorize the antibody. Additionally, there are differences in the light chain structure of antibodies that are classed or isotyped as kappa and lambda. It is common to include all these classes/subclasses or isotypes/subtypes under the generic term "isotypes." The process of determining these isotypes is called isotyping.
Technical References:
Monoclonal antibody drugs for cancer treatment: How they work - The Mayo Clinic Staff
Producing Monoclonal Antibodies - Samurus
Antigen Design & Monoclonal Antibodies - Sigma~Aldrich
Special Section: Monoclonal Antibodies - AltWeb
Human Proteome Initiative - Hupo
General References to Antibody and Related Resources:
The Antibody Society
The Antibody Directory
The Antibody Resource Page
BioCompare
Linscott’s Directory
Market References:
Monoclonal Antibodies Primed To Become Potent Immune Weapons Against Cancer, Science Direct, March 26, 2009
From the Analysts Couch, Nature Reviews – Drug Discovery, May 2004
Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies Report 2008-2023, Visiongain, July 2008
The European Monoclonal Antibodies Therapeutics Market, Frost & Sullivan, January 2009
Books:
Monoclonal Antibodies: Methods & Protocols (a compendium), Edited by Mahir Albitar, Humana Press, 2007
A practical guide to Monoclonal Antibodies, J.Eryl Liddel and A. Cryer, John Wiley & Sons, 1991
Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Practice, James Goding, Elsevier Press, 1996
Industry/University Links
Below are links to a number of biotechnology companies, university research, medical research and government agencies engaged in the development, production, distribution or regulation of monoclonal antibodies. [This list is not exhaustive or exclusive, and will be updated from time to time.]
| Biotechnology R & D | University Research Centers |
| Immuno-Precise | University of Iowa, Ames, IA |
| ViroStat | University of Georgia, Athens, GA |
| Cell Essentials | University of Missouri, Columbus, MO |
| QED Bioscience | |
| Abgenom | Hospitals & Medical Centers |
| Green Mountain Antibodies Meridian Biotechnology | Memorial Sloan Kettering NY, NY |
| Sigma~Aldrich | Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA |
| Millipore | |
| Government Agencies | |
| Associations | US Food & Drug Administration |
| The Antibody Society | US Department of Agriculture |
| American Cancer Society |
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