MONOCLONALANTIBODIES

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are powerful tools for tracking microorganisms because they can recognize epitopes on the surface of bacteria and thus serve as in situ identifiers. A series ofmAbs were produced against whole cells of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 (84). One was shown to recognize the O-antigen of P. putida LPS. In the laboratory, this mAb specifically recognized the strain when grown in different culture media and at different growth stages.

The mAb was used to track the strain after its release in a mesocosm established in Plussee Lake in northern Germany (85).

A monoclonal antibody target for the treatment of osteoporosisis the RANKL, which is the essential mediator of osteoclasts.As pointed out in the osteoporosis discussion, theloss of calcium by increased osteoclastic activity and decreasedosteoclast apoptosis is opposed by a RANKLinhibitor, osteoprotegerin a 401-amino acid glycoprotein,and a member of the TNF superfamily. Rather than developa pharmaceutically acceptable osteoprotegerin, a fullyhuman monoclonal antibody, denosumab, that binds to theRANKL preventing its binding to RANK is being evaluatedfor the treatment of osteoporosis. The reported result is inhibitionof all stages of osteoclast activity. It is important tokeep a perspective when administering drugs that interferewith the immune system over long periods of time. RANKLis part of the normal bone remodeling process as well aswith pathological bone loss. The key is balance, and thiswill require long-term studies in patients with postmenopausalosteoporosis.