With reference to monoclonal antibodies, often mentioned in news, consider the following statements:

1. They are man-made proteins.
2. They stimulate immunological function due to their ability to bind to specific antigens.
3. They are used in treating viral infections like that of Nipah virus.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. I and II only
2. II and III only
3. I and III only
4. I, II and III

Explanation

Statement I is correct

• Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are artificially created proteins designed to mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off harmful pathogens.

Statement II is correct

• mAbs target specific antigens, such as those on the surface of viruses or cancer cells. This specific binding helps stimulate the immune system or neutralise the target, assisting in treatment.

Statement III is correct

• mAbs have been used or developed to treat viral infections like Ebola, SARS-CoV-2, and the Nipah virus. E.g., m102.4 is an mAb that has shown promise against Nipah virus in experimental settings.

Answer: (d) I, II and III; Difficulty Level: Easy