Topic 3- Monoclonal Antibodies Flashcards
What are monoclonal antibodies (mAbs)?
Antibodies that are clones from one parent cell
Specific to one type of antigen
Describe how monoclonal antibodies are produced?
1)Specific antigen injected into an animal
2) B-lymphocytes producing complementary antibodies extracted
3) B-lymphocytes fuse with myeloma cells to form hybridoma cells- these cells can divide and produce antibody
4) Hybridoma cells cultured
5)Monoclonal antibodies collected and purified
Outline the uses of monoclonal antibodies
Detection of pathogens
Location of cancer cells and blood clots
Treatment of cancer
Used in pregnancy test kits
What are myeloma cells?
Type of tumour cells
What do pregnancy kits test for?
hCG in urine
What does a pregnancy test consist of?
A stick containing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific to hCG
mAbs attached to a blue bead (free to move)
mAbs fixed to the test stick
Describe what happens to the test stick if a woman is pregnant
hCG is urine binds to mAbs attached to a blue bead
mAbs with hCG diffuse up the dipstick
mAbs fixed to the stick bind to hCG
Blue lines form
Describe what happens to the test stick if a woman is not pregnant
No hCG in urine so a blue line is not formed
What is the advantage of using monoclonal antibodies to test for pathogens?
Specific to one particular antigen
Very accurate
Quick results
Why can monoclonal antibodies be used to target cancer cells?
Some monoclonal antibodies can trigger an immune system response that can destroy the outer wall (membrane) of a cancer cell. Blocking cell growth.
Why are cancer treatments that use monoclonal antibodies favoured over traditional treatments?
Radiotherapy and chemotherapy target rapidly dividing cells
Healthy cells are damaged as a consequence, producing unpleasant side effects
mAbs only target cancer cells, reducing damage to normal cells
How can monoclonal antibodies be used to locate blood clots?
mAbs tagged to a radioactive substance
mAbs target and bind to specific proteins in blood clots
Radiation emitted by mAbs is detected, enabling the location of blood clots to be identified
