The Advantages of Antibody Humanization

Antibody humanization is a genetic engineering field in molecular biology addressing antibody production deficiencies that cause bacterial and viral outbreaks in afflicted individuals. Current efforts aim to use nonhuman organisms to create human antibodies, which can then fight disease and lessen the effects of genetic disorders. Promising clinical trials are expected to lead to FDA-approved drugs for those suffering from immune system disorders and the related infections.

Introduction

• Bacteria colonies are grown for testing synthesized antibodies.

  Taking a xenogeneic source (something other than human, as in a rodent cell) and turning it into a human antibody can improve a deficient human immune system. Antibody humanization requires grafting techniques to take a foreign source cell and structure it to work similarly to one that would naturally be produced in humans, based on antigen formations. In the end, any antibody must fight the specific foreign substance that is generating a human molecular antigen reaction. If not, disease is inevitable.

Research and Development

• Scientsts discuss genetic plans in a laboratory.

  Protocols utilized by scientists vary, and some have more success than others. For example, "reshaping" designs a rodent antibody to closely match a human antibody. Another process, "veneering," actually replaces the surface of the rodent antibody. Today, the most success has been achieved by a process introduced in 1975 that produces cells called "monoclonal antibodies" (mAbs), which target a specific disease threat. Nevertheless, this practice is in the early stages and has not yet reached its full potential for producing FDA-approved medications, although a few such medications have been developed.

Promising Treatments

• The possibility of developing treatments that can destroy bacteria and viruses that cause rabies, tetanus, hepatitis A and B, and varicella zoster is promising. One important early application used the Rh antibody to the red blood cell antigen produced in healthy human males to successfully clear postpartum Rh negative mother's blood of Rh positive fetal red blood cells.

Conclusion

• The achievements thus far in producing pharmaceutical antibodies for the treatment of immunodeficiency and infectious diseases represent a significant breakthrough. The most successful procedure has been the cloning of rodent cells, which is being used in many current clinical trials. More than 100 different products for a wide range of disease have achieved 90 percent humanization. Although antibody humanization research is proving to be a lengthy trial-and-error process, it attracts scientists for its multiple benefits. In addition to advancing therapeutic and diagnostic medicine, labs seek to shed light on protein structure and function.