Antibodies as diagnostic tools

Question 1

Why is it inefficient to collect antibodies from animals?

Answer 1

They have a polyclonal response to antigen

Question 2

Summarise the production of monoclonal antibodies

Answer 2

Take B cell producing correct Ab –> fuse with myeloma cell line –> hybridoma –> Ab of interest produced

Question 3

Describe the production of antibody using recombinant DNA technology

Answer 3

1. Isolate genes encoding Ab variable regions
2. Construct fusion protein of V region with bacteriophage protein coat
3. Clone random populatio of phages to produce phage display library
4. Select phage with desired V region and amplify

Question 4

What is implicated by the suffix of an antibody being “omab”?

Answer 4

mouse monoclonal

Question 5

What is implicated by the suffix of an antibody being “imab”?

Answer 5

chimeric or partly humanised

Question 6

What is implicated by the suffix of an antibody being “umab”?

Answer 6

human

Question 7

Recall 4 therapeutic uses of antibodies

Answer 7

1. Cancer drug (herceptin)
2. In immunodeficiency
3. Blocking cytokine activity
4. Removal of T cells from bone marrow grafts

Question 8

Recall 4 things that can be diagnosed using antibodies

Answer 8

Infection
AI disease
Allergy
Malignancy

Question 9

Recall 3 antibody diagnostic methods

Answer 9

Tissue typing
Serology
Immunoassays

Question 10

Describe how ELISA works

Answer 10

2 samples containing Ag used to coat inside of “wells” –> wells covered in Ab against Ag to be measured
If Ag is present, Ab will adhere to well wall -
Reporter is enzyme –> colour change

Question 11

What is the main use for flow cytometry?

Answer 11

Identify lymphocyte type using Ab against CD markers

Question 12

What can serum electrophoresis be used to show?

Answer 12

Monoclonal expansion of B cells

Question 13

Give 3 examples of things ELISA might be used to look for

Answer 13

Tetanus
Hameophillus
Pneumococcus