With reference to monoclonal antibodies, often mentioned in news, consider the following statements : I. They are man-made proteins. II. They stimulate immunological function due to their ability to bind to specific antigens. III. They are used in treating viral infections like that of Nipah virus. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation:
Statement I is correct. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced proteins that mimic the antibodies naturally produced by the immune system; they are engineered or 'man-made'. Statement II is correct. Monoclonal antibodies are designed to specifically bind to certain antigens, which can then trigger or modulate an immune response, or block the antigen's function. Statement III is correct. Monoclonal antibodies have been developed and used (or are in development/trials) for treating various viral infections, including emerging ones like Nipah virus (e.g., the human monoclonal antibody m102.4).