How are Monoclonal Antibodies Made
During the coronavirus pandemic, the term “monoclonal antibodies” was frequently in the news. Despite this, many people still do not understand the importance of these cells – or even what they are.
Here’s what you need to know about making monoclonal antibodies and how they positively impact health and healing:
What are Monoclonal Antibodies?
The human body naturally produces cells called antibodies to combat antigens. Antigens are foreign cells that enter the body and can cause harm, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and more.
Sometimes, the body does not produce the correct antibodies or does not produce enough of them to be effective. In other circumstances, exposure to dangerous antigens is too dangerous to allow the body to take the time to produce these antibodies naturally. In these cases, synthesized antibodies are produced in the laboratory setting which can be used to combat these harmful substances.
One of the most important types of these man-made antibodies is the monoclonal antibody, which can be created to address a specific virus, bacteria, or other antigens in the body.
How are Monoclonal Antibodies Made?
The first step in creating monoclonal antibodies is creating the immune response that would be seen in a healthy human body. Once this is done, lymphocytes are harvested from these antibody cells. These cells are typically taken from the spleen or the lymph nodes.
Next, lymphocytes will be reproduced or cloned. Afterward, these cloned cells will be introduced to other cells which can fortify them and make it easier for them to be reintroduced into the human body. This may be done through chemical means with polyethylene glycol or using electric pulses which can temporarily weaken cell walls and allow for better fusion of two adjacent cells.
After all of this, the best cells are isolated and selected for reproduction. These cells then create the vaccines, infusions, and other medical interventions.
How are Monoclonal Antibodies Used?
While the most familiar use for monoclonal antibodies is fighting the COVID-19 virus, there are actually many ways to use these antibodies.
Just a few of the applications of monoclonal antibodies include:
- Cancer treatment
- Transplant rejection treatment
- Treatment of skin conditions like psoriasis
- Addressing cardiovascular conditions, and more
Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and multiple sclerosis can also be addressed using these antibodies. In these conditions, the body produces antibodies in response to cells that are not actually hazardous, which can cause serious health concerns. Treating with these antibodies can help to rebalance the body’s immune response. This lessens symptoms in patients with these chronic conditions.
