Hybridoma technology for monoclonal antibodies: which components are essential to generate stable, antibody-secreting clones?

Introduction / Context:
Monoclonal antibody (mAb) production via hybridoma technology fuses a specific antibody-producing B cell with an immortal myeloma cell, yielding a hybrid that both secretes a single antibody and proliferates indefinitely. Recognizing the required inputs is foundational in immunotechnology.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Splenic B cells provide antibody specificity.
• Myeloma cells provide immortality and selective growth traits (e.g., HGPRT deficiency for HAT selection).

Concept / Approach:
After immunizing a mouse with an antigen, spleen cells are harvested and fused with compatible myeloma cells using PEG. Hybrids are selected in HAT medium; positive clones are screened for desired specificity and subcloned to monoclonality.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Köhler and Milstein’s seminal approach underpins modern monoclonal antibody production and biotech manufacturing.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Either cell alone is insufficient: B cells die; myeloma cells lack specific antibody.
• “None” or “only human PBMCs”: Do not describe classical mouse hybridoma method.

Common Pitfalls:

• Confusing polyclonal sera (from whole animals) with monoclonal hybridoma products.

Final Answer:
Both mouse splenic lymphocytes and mouse myeloma cells