How are monoclonal antibodies produced?

Monoclonal antibodies are produced by injecting a mouse with an antigen and then fusing its B cells with myeloma cells.

To produce monoclonal antibodies, a mouse is first injected with an antigen, a substance that triggers an immune response. The mouse's immune system responds by producing B cells, each of which produces a different antibody that can bind to the antigen. These B cells are then extracted from the mouse's spleen.

The next step is to fuse these B cells with myeloma cells, a type of cancer cell that can divide indefinitely. This fusion creates hybridoma cells, which have the antibody-producing ability of the B cells and the longevity of the myeloma cells. This is usually done by exposing the cells to a virus or a chemical such as polyethylene glycol, which makes the cell membranes fuse together.

Once the hybridoma cells are created, they are placed in a culture medium where they start to divide and produce antibodies. These antibodies are all identical, hence the term 'monoclonal'. They are then collected and purified for use.

The advantage of this method is that it produces large amounts of identical antibodies, which can be used for many purposes, such as in medical treatments, diagnostic tests, and research. However, it is a complex and time-consuming process, and there are ethical considerations around the use of animals in this way.