With reference to monoclonal antibodies, often mentioned in news, consider the following statements :

I. They are man-made proteins.
II. They stimulate immunological function due to their ability to bind to specific antigens.
III. They are used in treating viral infections like that of Nipah virus.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) I and II only
(b) II and III only
(c) I and III only
(d) I, II and III

The correct answer is (d) I, II and III.

Explanation

I. They are man-made proteins.
- This is correct. Antibodies are proteins, and monoclonal antibodies are specific antibodies manufactured in a laboratory using biotechnology. They are cloned from a single, specific parent immune cell (a B-cell) to create a pure population of identical proteins.
II. They stimulate immunological function due to their ability to bind to specific antigens.
- This is correct. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are designed to mimic or enhance the immune system. They bind to a specific target molecule, called an antigen (e.g., a protein on the surface of a virus or a cancer cell). This binding can either neutralize the target directly or “flag” it, stimulating other parts of the immune system (like T-cells or macrophages) to attack and destroy it.
III. They are used in treating viral infections like that of Nipah virus.
- This is correct. Monoclonal antibodies are a cutting-edge treatment for many diseases, including cancers, autoimmune disorders, and viral infections. They have been famously used to treat COVID-19, Ebola, and RSV. Specifically for Nipah virus, a human monoclonal antibody (m102.4) has been developed and used on a compassionate basis during outbreaks as a promising therapeutic.

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What are Monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs)?

Think of your body’s natural immune response to a cold as a “shotgun blast.” It fires many different types of antibodies (this is called a polyclonal response) at the virus, hoping to hit it.

A monoclonal antibody (mAb) is like a “sniper rifle.” It is a batch of pure, identical antibodies that are all designed to hit one very specific target (the antigen).

How are they “Man-Made”? (Hybridoma Technology)

The “man-made” aspect (Statement I) refers to a Nobel Prize-winning technology:

A mouse (or other animal) is exposed to the target antigen (e.g., the Nipah virus spike protein).
The mouse’s immune system produces B-cells that make antibodies against it.
Scientists isolate the single B-cell that makes the best antibody.
This short-lived B-cell is “fused” with a cancerous (immortal) myeloma cell.
The resulting “hybrid” cell, called a hybridoma, is an immortal factory that can be grown in a lab to produce a virtually unlimited supply of that one perfect antibody.

Active vs. Passive Immunity

Vaccines provide active immunity. They teach your body to make its own antibodies. This is slow to start but provides long-lasting protection.
Monoclonal Antibodies provide passive immunity. They are the “finished product” – the antibodies themselves are given directly to the patient. This provides immediate protection (Statement II) but is temporary, as the antibodies are eventually cleared from the body.