Polyclonal antibodies are groups of antibodies that are able to identify many different epitopes of a particular antigen. The antibodies are derived from a selection of B cells, each one recognizing one particular epitope. A monoclonal antibody has one single source. Polyclonal antibodies are easy to store, bind much more quickly to the antigen in question, and provide more powerful protection when it comes to identifying and dealing with specific epitopes.
Are Polyclonal Antibodies as Effective as Monoclonal Antibodies?
Polyclonal antibodies are capable of performing better in certain situations than monoclonal antibodies. Because they have the capability of attaching to more than one antigen, they are able to expand on the signal expelled by the target even though it is very low intensity. When dealing with chromatin immunoprecipitation, the polyclonal antibodies work best because they have a broader target area and can pick up even the lowest resonance when it comes to the expression of certain types of protein. One of the main benefits of polyclonal antibodies is that it is highly tolerant of many changes that would eventually cause problems with monoclonal antibodies.
Many research labs prefer the use of polyclonal antibodies for multiple reasons. They are hardier than other types of antibodies and can withstand more disruptions or alterations in the antigens. They can withstand harsher conditions and more diverse environments. Polyclonals are extremely inexpensive and easy to create. Because of how they are developed, the researchers who use them are not required to have any type of extensive training nor do they need highly advanced technology to perform the tests.
What are the Drawbacks of Polyclonal Antibodies?
A monoclonal antibody can be harvested or produced indefinitely, unlike polyclonal antibodies that may only be able to be acquired for a short period of time. A polyclonal antibody also requires many different animals to produce one product. These antibodies cannot be continually derived from the same sources, which means they may not always be exactly identical. When research is being performed on test animals, the need for the polyclonal antibodies to be as exact as possible is a must if the tests are to be conclusive and accurate.
The biggest drawback of polyclonal antibodies is that the source is limited. Monoclonals have what is referred to as an immortal or never-ending source. Polyclonals do not produce the same results as a monoclonal antibody. Monoclonals produce a low-staining effect and minimal variation from lot to lot. Polyclonals, on the other hand, can have an increase in cross-reactions that can have a dramatic impact on the results of the tests. Because polyclonals recognize several epitopes of an antigen, they are not ideal for use when a single antigen is the target.
While both polyclonals and monoclonals have their place in the research lab, most researchers will opt for the polyclonals simply because they are cost effective and extremely easy to use. The lab does not need to be technologically advanced to create polyclonal antibodies. Their ability to detect numerous antigens make them easy to use for a multitude of tests. Additionally, the ability to withstand changes within the antigens makes it a much better choice than a monoclonal antibody. Changes like polymorphism and denaturalization can have a dramatic impact on the outcome of certain tests. Polyclonal antibodies resist these changes and allow the test to produce more accurate and concise results. Researchers are able to perform the tests they need, while remaining on a tight budget.
Review our blog on Adjuvants and Carrier Proteins for more information on creating antibodies.
Download the Antibody Production and the Assay Development Handbooks for antibody production and antibody applications:
