Final answer:
Monoclonal antibodies against the PA protein are used to treat anthrax. They are created by fusing specific antibody-producing cells with myeloma cells, resulting in identical antibodies targeting a single antigen epitope.
Step-by-step explanation:
Monoclonal antibodies against the PA protein are used as treatment for anthrax. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) are laboratory-produced molecules engineered to serve as substitute antibodies that can restore, enhance, or mimic the immune system's attack on harmful cells.
Monoclonal antibodies are produced by fusing antibody-producing B cells with myeloma cells and then growing the hybrid cells, called hybridomas, in tissue culture. This process ensures the production of antibodies that are identical and specific to a single epitope of the antigen. In the context of disease treatment, monoclonal antibodies can be used for various purposes, including infectious diseases, cancer detection and therapy, as well as a range of other medical conditions.