1. x Antigen Spleen cells Immunization Cell fusion Monoclonal antibodies
Adapted from Milstein (1980) Scientific American, Oct. p.58 1 2 3 4
Antigen m 1 2 3 4
Spleen cells
Immunization +
Myeloma
B cell 1 2 3
Cell fusion 1 2 3 4 4 x 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Monoclonal
antibodies
說明文字
Antiseum
Pure single Ab
A mixture of all Ab
If a single B cell was picked up and cultured, then it will produce only one kind of antibody.
But B cell can not survive well in the culture.
Each B cell produces only one kind of antibody, which binds to its specific antigen.
Conventional antiserum is the mixture of all antibodies produced by B cells from spleen.
After immunization, the mouse spleen contains B cells producing specific antibodies.
Each hybridoma line can produce pure single antibody, called monoclonal antibody.
If B cell is fused with myeloma, the fused cell might be cultured and produce antibody.
Myeloma cell can be cultured in the test tube, but can not produce useful antibody.