ABSTRACT
Hybridomas produced from antigen-stimulated B cells secrete a single species of antibody which can be selected for the desired antigen specificity. This chapter deals with an overview of the monoclonal antibody, a description of the laboratory techniques used in their development and close with a discussion of their uses in disease intervention. The widespread use of the monoclonal antibody as a diagnostic and therapeutic was predicated on the development of hybridoma technology. Stable hybridomas secreting several micrograms per milliliter of antibody containing human mu chains were established from the transgenic mice. A new development in antibody technology is the single-chain antigen-binding protein. The catalytic antibody can potentially produce a limitless variety of molecules for use in biotechnology, in clinical medicine and in the investigation of protein structure and function. A chimeric anti-human tumor necrosis factor monoclonal antibody has been developed. HIV is transmitted most commonly through an exchange of body fluids, sexual activity, or blood transfusion.
