Final answer:
Antibodies reacting with drugs are produced in animals by injecting them with an antigen, inducing a polyclonal antibody response. Memory cells and affinity maturation enhance antibody specificity upon subsequent injections. Monoclonal antibodies are created by fusing animal B cells with myeloma cells, forming hybridomas that produce specific antibodies in vitro.
Step-by-step explanation:
Production of Antibodies in Animals
Antibodies capable of reacting with drugs are produced in animals through a process that initiates when an animal, such as a rabbit or goat, is injected with a specific antigen. The animal’s immune system then generates a polyclonal antibody response to the various epitopes of the antigen. These antibodies can be harvested from the animal’s antiserum, which contains antibodies from multiple clones of B cells. For greater specificity and efficacy, lab animals may receive multiple injections of the antigen, with subsequent injections inducing memory cells and “affinity maturation,” resulting in antibodies with higher affinity for the antigen.
To produce monoclonal antibodies, a similar initial process is followed where an animal is immunized with the antigen. However, instead of harvesting the antibodies directly from the animal’s serum, B cells from the animal’s spleen are fused with myeloma cells to form hybridoma cells which are then cultured in vitro to produce large quantities of a specific antibody.
These antibodies are extensively used in research, diagnostics, and therapeutic applications. The process not only involves advanced immunology techniques but also raises ethical considerations regarding the use of laboratory animals.