The Biology Project: Immunology

Introduction to Immunology

Problem 13. Monoclonal antibodies

Correct!

Monoclonal antibodies come from clones of B cells that produce a single antibody of known specificity. B cells will nor normally divide in the absence of antibody. The special trick that allowed monoclonal antibody-producing cells to be grown in culture was:

A. Mice were immunized with antigen and T cells removed and grown in culture to produce antibody
B.

Mice were injected with antigen and B cells were fused with cancer cells, producing a hybrid cell line that can grow in culture yet still produce antibody against the antigen

Exposure to antigen creates an immune response. Mouse B cells are isolated from the blood and used to create hybridomas. The hybridoma of interest is isolated and cloned, and those clones produce monoclonal antibodies.

C. Antibodies were produced by isolating mRNA from immunized mice and translating the message for antibody in the laboratory
D. Macrophages were isolated from immunized mice that would stimulate na•ve B cells to continue to divide in culture, allowing the production of monoclonal antibodies

 

Problem 13 | Tutorial

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