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Updated: Apr 22, 2026

Generation of Discriminative Human Monoclonal Antibodies from Rare Antigen-specific B Cells Circulating in Blood
Published on: February 6, 2018
Monoclonal antibodies to B cells
1Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Clinical Immunology, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia.
Monoclonal antibodies (Mab) are crucial for identifying T cell subsets. This review details available Mab for B cell surface determinants in humans and mice, addressing a gap in B cell research reagents.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Monoclonal antibodies (Mab) have successfully identified functional T lymphocyte subsets (helper, killer, suppressor) in both mouse and human.
- A comparable set of reagents for defining B-cell subsets is currently lacking, despite ongoing research efforts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review currently available monoclonal antibodies (Mab).
- To identify Mab that detect polymorphic or monomorphic determinants on B-cell surfaces in humans and mice.
- To address the need for B-cell subset-specific reagents.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of available monoclonal antibodies.
- Analysis of Mab specificity for B-cell surface determinants.
- Comparison of B-cell surface markers in humans and mice.
Main Results:
- Summary of existing monoclonal antibodies (Mab) for B-cell surface detection.
- Identification of Mab recognizing polymorphic and monomorphic determinants.
- Highlighting the current state of B-cell subset characterization reagents.
Conclusions:
- The review provides a valuable resource for researchers needing B-cell subset markers.
- It addresses the current limitations in B-cell research reagents compared to T-cell research.
- Availability of these Mab aids in the characterization of human and mouse B-cell populations.
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