Purification of murine monoclonal antibodies

Hybridoma technology has made possible the production of highly specific, homogeneous antibodies with predefined binding characteristics, which can be produced in large amounts, from immortal cell lines. They probably represent the immunochemist's ideal as reagents, and monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) are invaluable for the investigation and assay of the entire antigen spectrum. However, it must be remembered that, although MoAbs can be exquisitely specific, they are far from pure unless specific procedures are used for their isolation. If produced as ascitic fluid, they contain proteins derived from the host animal, whereas in vitro production as cell culture supernatant produces MoAbs contaminated with tissue culture additives, nonimmunoglobulin secretion products, and material derived from dead disrupted cells.