Can monoclonal antibodies for scientific research be produced in human cells?

Monoclonal antibodies can indeed be produced in human cells, which is a significant advancement in biotechnology. The production of these antibodies in human cells offers several advantages over other systems, such as animal or plant cells. One of the primary benefits is that human cell lines can correctly fold and modify proteins, which is crucial for the functionality of monoclonal antibodies.

Using human cells minimizes the risk of immunogenicity, which is the likelihood that the human immune system will recognize the therapeutic antibody as a foreign substance and mount an immune response against it. This is particularly important in therapeutic applications where patient tolerance is a concern. Additionally, human cells can produce human IgG isotypes, which are typically more effective in human therapeutic settings.

In contrast, while animal and plant cells can produce monoclonal antibodies, they may not provide the same level of functionality and compatibility as human cells, thus making human cell systems more favorable in some research and therapeutic contexts.