Polyclonal antibodies

Polyclonal Antibodies

Polyclonal antibodies (pronunciation: pɒliˈkləʊn(ə)l ˈantɪbɒdɪz) are a type of antibody produced by different B cell lineages within the body (poly- meaning 'many', clonal meaning 'clone'). They are a collection of immunoglobulin molecules that react against a specific antigen, each identifying a different epitope.

Etymology

The term "polyclonal antibodies" is derived from the Greek words "poly" meaning 'many', and "klon" meaning 'twig' or 'branch'. This refers to the many different B cell lineages that produce these antibodies.

Production

Polyclonal antibodies are produced by injecting an animal with an antigen. The animal's immune system responds to the antigen by producing a variety of antibodies, each of which recognizes a different epitope on the antigen. This mixture of antibodies is then collected and purified to create a polyclonal antibody preparation.

Applications

Polyclonal antibodies are widely used in immunohistochemistry to identify the presence of a range of different antigens in a sample. They are also used in immunoprecipitation, Western blotting, and ELISA tests.

Related Terms

Monoclonal antibodies: Antibodies that are identical because they are produced by one type of immune cell, all clones of a single parent cell.
Antigen: A substance that induces an immune response in the body, especially the production of antibodies.
Epitope: The part of an antigen molecule to which an antibody attaches itself.
Immunoglobulin: Any of a class of proteins present in the serum and cells of the immune system, which function as antibodies.