I. They are man-made proteins.
II. They stimulate immunological function due to their ability to bind to specific antigens.
III. They are used in treating viral infections like that of Nipah virus.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
Statement I is correct: Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced proteins created using hybridoma technology (developed in 1975) or recombinant DNA techniques, where B cells are fused with myeloma cells to produce identical antibodies targeting a specific antigen. This ensures high specificity for one antigen epitope.
Statement II is correct:
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) bind to specific antigens via their Fab (fragment antigen-binding) region, triggering immunological responses. The Fc (fragment crystallizable) region recruits immune cells (e.g., macrophages, NK cells) and activates the complement system, enhancing pathogen clearance and T-cell activation. While mAbs provide passive immunity and do not induce long-term immune memory, their ability to trigger ADCC, CDC, and phagocytosis constitutes immunological stimulation by engaging existing immune mechanisms.
Statement III is correct:
Therapeutic Use: Monoclonal antibodies are used to treat viral infections, including Nipah virus (NiV), a zoonotic paramyxovirus with a 40-75% fatality rate. Specific mAbs like m102.4, hu1F5, NiV41, and NiV42 target NiV G and F glycoproteins, neutralizing viral entry.