Polyclonal antibodies are antibodies made from more than one B cell clone and thus are heterogeneous. They can differ in terms of their immunoglobulin classes, types of light chains, and genetic markers (e.g., Gm, Km, or Am serum groups). Antibodies made by humans against blood group antigens tend to be polyclonal.
Monoclonal antibodies are produced by a single clone of plasma cells and are homogeneous. They can be produced by hybridoma technology in which mouse spleen cells (B cells) and myeloma cells are fused to create a hybridoma cell which only secretes homogeneous antibodies. In blood banking, monoclonal typing sera are being produced. These reagents are both sensitive and specific. Also, in cold AIHA (idiopathic type), the autoanti-I produced is monoclonal, whereas the harmless autoanti-I that everyone has is polyclonal. Monoclonal antibodies will be of the same immunoglobulin class (and subclass) and have the same light chains and genetic markers.
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| Polyclonal/Monoclonal Antibodies |