Harnessing the immune system's arsenal: producing human monoclonal antibodies for therapeutics and investigating immune responses

Abstract

Monoclonal antibody technology has undergone rapid and innovative reinvention over the last 30 years. Application of these technologies to human samples revealed valuable therapeutic and experimental insights. These technologies, each with their own benefits and flaws, have proven indispensable for immunological research and in our fight to provide new treatments and improved vaccines for infectious disease.

Introduction
Excerpt:
This article will explore the history and current state of monoclonal antibody technology and how it has contributed to therapeutics, both through direct clinical treatments and by providing valuable insights into host–pathogen interactions. Importantly, we will highlight how these technologies help identify factors that produce broadly neutralizing antibodies—antibodies that by virtue of binding to certain epitopes important in the viral life cycle, are able to bind many disparate viral strains and prevent them from infecting their target cells. These antibodies are vital in effective therapeutics and, ultimately, successful vaccine design.

In conclusion
Excerpt:
The current state of monoclonal antibody technology is enabling exciting advancements in immunotherapies and understanding of host–pathogen interactions. Maybe more importantly, it is now evident that insight into our natural immune responses can facilitate rational vaccine development. Thus, the most important lessons may be those we’ve garnered from our bodies’ natural responses; not only can we can capitalize on our strengths, such as targeting of specific pathogenic epitopes, but we can also compensate for our inherent weaknesses, such as the rarity of our most powerful antibodies. In the end, the information we gather from monoclonal antibody technology may be more important than the direct attainment of therapeutics (borrowing from an old adage, catch a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day, but teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime). Similarly, by studying what antibodies can teach us, we may someday produce vaccines that eradicate many infectious diseases that have a profound impact on human health such as influenza, hepatitis, or HIV.