Monoclonal Antibodies

Question 1

What are monoclonal antibodies?

Answer 1

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are immunoglobulins derived from a monoclonal cell line, and which have a defined specificity.

Question 2

Consider these statements about mAbs. Respond with True or False.

i. Monoclonal antibodies are proteins made in a laboratory and are meant to stimulate the immune system.

ii. Their immunological activities are based on binding to a specific ligand or antigen.

iii. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are immunoglobulins derived from multiple immune cell lines.

iv. They are designed to bind to antigens that are more numerous on the surface of the cancer cells than healthy cells.

Answer 2

i. True
ii. True
iii. False
iv. True

Question 3

Mention 3 autoimmune conditions.

Answer 3

i. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
ii. Multiple sclerosis (MS)
iii. Systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE)

Question 4

List disease conditions where monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) could be indicated.

Answer 4

i. Cancer
ii. Autoimmune diseases like SLE, RA, MS
iii. Psoriasis
iv. Crohn’s disease
v. Transplant rejection e.g basiliximab
vi. Infections, including COVID-19

Question 5

Briefly highlight how monoclonal antibodies are made in the lab.

Answer 5

• Human genes that produce antibodies are introduced into mice or another suitable mammal.
• The mice are vaccinated with the antigen against which antibodies are to be produced
• This causes the immune cells of the mice to produce the desired human antibody.
• These antibodies are then harvested.

Question 6

Mention 4 uses of antibodies.

Answer 6

i. For disease treatment.
ii. For diagnosis.
iii. As probes to identify materials in laboratories or for use in home-testing kits like those for pregnancy or ovulation.
iv. To type tissue and blood for use in transplants.

Question 7

What are polyclonal antibodies?

Answer 7

They are antibodies that are synthesised from different immune cells and they bind to multiple antigens.

Question 8

Differentiate between monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal antibodies.

Answer 8

i. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are clones of just one antibody from a single cell lineage while Polyclonal antibodies (pAbs) come from several different types of immune cells.

ii. Monoclonal antibodies bind to one specific antigen, while polyclonal antibodies will bind to more than one antigen.