Antibodies FAQs

Q: How much neutralizing antibody should I use?
A: User cell lines may vary so there is no specific answer to this question. However, the general rule is a 70 fold excess in mass should be used for neutralizing interferon. It is recommended to quantify the amount of interferon via techniques such as ELISA. It is also recommended to allow time (1-2 hours in general) for the antibody to neutralize the interferon before adding the virus.

Q: What controls should I use?
A: For monoclonal antibodies, use normal antibody from the same species and the same isotype. For example, if a MAb is a murine IgG2A, use the normal equivalent as the negative control. PBL’s polyclonal antibodies are unpurified sera. Therefore, investigators should use normal unpurified serum from the appropriate species as their negative control..

Q: How are antibodies determined to be neutralizing?
A: viral challenge assay is used to test antibodies for neutralization activity. The assay measures the ability of the antibody to negate the protective affects of the interferon against the viral challenge.

Q: Does PBL offer controls for its antibodies?
A: PBL does not offer any controls for our antibodies at current time.

For research use only, not for diagnostic or therapeutic use.