Spleen cells Vs organs

by **eTiT** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 1:26 am

Why are cells from spleen used to produce hybridomas rather than cells from other organs? What other organs can be used besides spleen cells? Hope someone can cleared my doubts. Thanks!

by **Dr.Stein** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 10:34 am

We take lymphocytes to make hybridoma. Spleen is the biggest secondary lymphoid organ and it is easier for us to 'extract' lymphocytes to prepare for hybridoma. We can use lymph nodes from any parts of the body to make hybridoma but the size of lymph nodes are small and it is not easy to find them in resting state.

by **eTiT** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 2:13 pm

What do u mean by a "resting state"? Why are lymph nodes difficult to find since can be found at various areas of the body, including the throat, armpits, chest, abdomen and groin? Also, can the bone marrow be used instead?

by **MrMistery** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 7:07 pm

Be kind with us noobs, but what are hybridomas?

by **Dr.Stein** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 4:41 am

eTiT wrote:What do u mean by a "resting state"? Why are lymph nodes difficult to find since can be found at various areas of the body, including the throat, armpits, chest, abdomen and groin? Also, can the bone marrow be used instead?

Resting state is when lymphocytes in secondary lymphoid organs, i.e. spleen and lymph nodes, do not proliferate in order to generate immune response. If there is an infection, the antigen will stimulate these cells so they will undergo proliferation and differentiation. The increasing cells within the secondary lymphoid organs will cause the swelling of those organs.

Lymph nodes locate almost every where in our body to anticipate antigens from anywhere and anyhow. Some of them are hardly to be found because are wrapped in adipose tissue or another connective tissues. If you want to find them easily, you must expose them with antigen, they will swell about 96 hours from the antigen administration. About antigen, the simple one, you can use any kinds of foreign molecules, one for instance, whole blood from other species, serum, dead cells, etc.

If you want to get a specific lymph node, for example axillary lymph node (armpit), inject antigen (subcutaneous) on upper forelimb. The antigen will be brught and processed in the nearest lymph node. This method also useful to locate lymph nodes all over the body. Simply inject antigen (intrapertoneal or systemic) and all lymph nodes will react. The latter one is harmful though.

I think we cannot use the bone marrow because lymphocytes in the bone marrow are still naïve. We need mature lymphocytes for hybridoma, i.e. the ones who are survive and well-educated to recognize foreign antigen, means that they able to react properly to antigen, in this case to produce antibody.

MrMistery wrote:Be kind with us noobs, but what are hybridomas?

Hybridoma is a hybrid cell produced by the fusion of an antibody-producing lymphocyte with a tumor cell. Hybridomas are used in the production of monoclonal antibodies.

by **MrMistery** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 7:13 pm

Ok, i really feel stupid seeing all this incredibly complicated info on the forum today. What are monoclonal antibodies?

by **th1_rhs13** » Fri Aug 12, 2005 3:45 am

Simple to understand google page:

http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/VL/GG/monoclonal.html

by **Dr.Stein** » Fri Aug 12, 2005 3:59 am

MrMistery wrote:Ok, i really feel stupid seeing all this incredibly complicated info on the forum today. What are monoclonal antibodies?

Oh come on my dear, it is not that bad. It is just a brand new thing for you. New thing always seems complicated becauase we don't know exactly what it is all about. I know you are good in understanding things, you will be great in this field soon, believe me :wink:

by **MrMistery** » Fri Aug 12, 2005 8:56 pm

I doubt it. I have to kill my brain cells with anatomy and biosystematics this year if i want to make IBO. It would be nice to have the time to study "good stuff" like this. Immnuology is very fun, but it will remain a mistery to me for some time...

by **Dr.Stein** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 5:05 am

Wowow relax, my dear. You are still 16 years old. There is still a lot of time to study. Don't eat all stuff in the same time. Just focus on your priority and forget things that you can make it later. I think I am going nowhere, I'd like to help you as much as I can. You know how to ring my bell :wink:

Good luck with your IBO, but please don't be too obsessed.