Antibodies are giant Y-shaped proteins known as immunoglobulins produced by B cells as a part of the flexible human response when encountering a foreign molecule. Many researchers employ epitopes to identify and detect the target protein of interest in various applications because of an antibody’s high affinity for a specific unique sequence. The accessible antibodies IgG is the most generally used for scientists are polyclonal and monoclonal.
So polyclonal antibodies hold a heterologous mixture of IgGs against each antigen, but monoclonal antibodies are composed of an IgG against one epitope. The advantages and disadvantages of Monoclonal Antibodies And Polyclonal Antibodies will help the user make the best selection, the type suitable for their application.
Polyclonal Antibody Vs. Monoclonal Antibodies
The term pAbs (polyclonal antibodies) are a combination of heterogeneous, which are generally produced by different B cells clones in the body. It can recognize and bind to much of different epitopes of individual antigens. pAbs are produced by injecting an immunogen into animals.
After being injected with a specific antigen to evoke a primary immune response, animals are given a secondary even tertiary immunization to produce a higher titer of antibodies to the particular antigen. After vaccination, pAbs can be elicited straight from the serum or purified to evoke a free solution from other serum proteins.
The term mAbs (Monoclonal Antibodies) are created by identical B cells, clones from an individual parent cell. It means that the mAbs have monovalent affinity and only recognize the similar epitope of an antigen. Unlike pAbs, which are produced in live animals, monoclonal antibodies are produced ex vivo using conventional Hybridoma technology or phage display technology using Antibody Libraries.
The process starts with injecting the desired antigen into animals, usually a mouse. If the animal develops an immune response, the B-lymphocytes are isolated from the animal’s spleen and fused with a myeloma cell line in case of mouse it is SP2/O cell line, producing immortalized B cell myeloma hybrids. These hybridomas that constantly grow in cell culture generating antibodies are then screened for desired monoclonal antibodies against particular epitope.
Monoclonal Antibody:
There are advantages associated with monoclonal antibodies, and these are listed as follows:
Advantages
- Hybridoma serves as an immortal source of monoclonal antibodies
- Similar quality of the antibody is maintained amongst the different production batches
- Highly reproducible and scalable, an unlimited production source
- Speed and sensitivity, and specificity of assays
- Can produce antibodies when needed
- Animals need not to be retained.
- Antigen is not required every time for production
- Selection helps to identify the correct clone against the specific antigen.
- With current upstream technology, the antibody can be produced in bulk using a bioreactor.
- Lot to lot consistency is there.
- Antibody is very specific and can be selected using high-sensitivity assays.
- Can be applied for various applications such as ELISA, LFA, IHC, WB, FC in diagnostic and further be evaluated for therapeutic.
With the remark on both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, these dominate the applications for Therapeutic Drug Development that deliver quality results. Their production procedures can be targeted and prove advantageous to general research and development.
Polyclonal Antibody:
Their properties, functions, and nature of existence determine several advantages. These are majorly distinguished with their multi-epitope specificity. There are the lists as follows:
Advantages
- Reasonable and relatively cost effective to produce
- Huge overall antibody affinity against the antigen due to the recognition of various epitopes
- It has a high sensitivity for detecting low-quality proteins
- High ability to capture the aimed protein but can bind to non specific epitopes too.
- Antibodies affinity results in faster binding to the aimed antigen
- Better for use in detecting a native protein
- Mostly used in secondary antibody generation.
Disadvantages:
- Primary Polyclonal antibody sometimes gives high background
- Lot-to-lot consistency is a problem
- Nonspecific binding
- Can not be thoroughly characterized for therapeutic purposes.
Conclusion
We at GeNext Genomics have our procedures when it comes to the production of Monoclonal And Polyclonal Antibodies and can guide the scientist according to their scope for customized development of their antibodies. We deliver high-quality biologics to the research industry with our expert scientists and trained professionals under work. We cater to all the industry needs and serve with utmost accuracy.
Also Read:- 4 Tips For Monoclonal Antibody Production