Analysis and Purification of Antibody Fragments Using Protein A, Protein G, and Protein L

Today, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) form the largest category of biopharmaceuticals in clinical trials and their number is expanding rapidly (DataMonitor 2007). The antibodies or functional antibody fragments are being produced in artificial production systems like mammalian cells, yeast, bacteria and plant cells but also in transgenic animals like goats, sheep and cows. Regardless of the production method, the quality control demand is the same for all of them. Host cell proteins, cell culture media additives, DNA and endotoxins have to be removed from the mAb preparation to allow the proteins to be safely applied for human therapy. Moreover, antibody aggregates, clipped and low molecular weight species should also be removed.