An anti-idiotypic antibody is an antibody that specifically binds to the antigen binding site of another antibody, typically a humanised antibody. Depending on how these antibodies bind to the target, they are non-blocking or antigen blocking. It is also possible to obtain antibodies that are antibody-antigen complex specific. The anti-idiotypic antibodies are typically used in pharmacokinetic assays or immune response assays.
The anti-idiotypic antibody could be a polyclonal monospecific antibody, cost effective and ideal for certain applications, or it could be a monoclonal antibody.
As with any antibody development project the antigen will be crucial. If a host is immunised using the whole antibody "TARGET", this large molecule largely presents trivial epitopes that are shared between all antibodies, i.e. the constant regions. That means that the immune response may contain a very small population of the sought-after anti-idiotypic antibodies. As a means to minimise this effect one should consider using a F(ab)2 fragment as the antigen. This will increase the liklihood of obtaining anti-idiotypic antibodies.
When the objective is to obtain a monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibody, the clones are screening against the whole antibody "TARGET" for positive selection, and counter screened against a different antibody of the same isotype "CONTROL".
For polyclonal antibodies, the antiserum can be affinity purified using the whole antibody "TARGET" and then cross reacting antbodies can be eliminated by absorbing them on an affinity matrix with the immobilised "CONTROL".
Innovagen provides a custom service for developing and producing your anti-idiotypic antibody.
Since 1992, Innovagen has been providing the scientific community with research materials. Our experience, dedication to quality and excellent customer service will give you the best conditions for a successful outcome of your custom antibody project.
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