Antibodies to Haptens

Haptens are low-molecular weight molecules which contain an antigenic determinant but which are not itself antigenic unless complexed with an immunogenic carrier. Classical haptens include di- and trinitrophenol (DNP & TNP), dimethylaminonaphthalene sulfonate (dansyl), and a numer of toxins, including urushiol, which is the toxin found in poison ivy. DNP/TNP antigens were used extensively in the early days of antibody science (prior to Köhler and Millstein's discovery of monoclonal antibodies from hybridomas) because a mouse plasmacytoma (MOPC315) induced by intraperitoneal injection of mineral oil secreted monoclonal IgA type antibodies with high affinity for DNP and TNP.

With todays immunization methodologies, antibody responses can be elicited against almost all organic small molecules, provided they are conjugated to an appropriate carrier. This technology is being used extensively to obtain sensitive probes for chemicals of interest, including toxins, hormons, pharmaceuticals, and drugs of abuse and their metabolites.

Antibody Solutions
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