Poliklonal

Poliklonal, in the context of immunology, refers to polyclonal antibodies or a polyclonal immune response. The term describes antibodies produced by multiple B-cell clones in response to an antigen, resulting in a heterogeneous mixture of immunoglobulins that can recognize different epitopes on the same antigen.

Polyclonal antibodies are typically generated by immunizing an animal with an antigen and collecting serum after an immune response. The resulting antibody pool comprises antibodies of varying isotypes, specificities, and affinities. Purification methods include protein A or G chromatography and affinity purification against the target antigen. Polyclonal antibodies contrast with monoclonal antibodies, which derive from a single B-cell clone.

Characteristics of polyclonal antibodies include heterogeneity in specificity and affinity, and broader reactivity across multiple epitopes. They can provide robust detection in assays and are generally faster and more cost-effective to produce. Their flexibility can be advantageous when antigens vary or present multiple epitopes, but this comes at the cost of batch-to-batch variability and potential cross-reactivity.

Applications of polyclonal antibodies are widespread in research and diagnostics. They are commonly used in assays such as ELISA, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunoprecipitation. They also play a role in some therapeutic contexts, including antivenoms and certain immune globulin products. However, their variability and potential for nonspecific binding necessitate careful validation and quality control in both research and clinical settings.