From rabbit antibody repertoires to rabbit monoclonal antibodies

In this review, we explain why and how rabbit monoclonal antibodies have become outstanding reagents for laboratory research and increasingly for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Starting with the unique ontogeny of rabbit B cells that affords highly distinctive antibody repertoires rich in in vivo pruned binders of high diversity, affinity and specificity, we describe the generation of rabbit monoclonal antibodies by hybridoma technology, phage display and alternative methods, along with an account of successful humanization strategies. Highly specialized antibodies derived from rabbits could transform our ability to detect and treat diseases such as cancer and HIV. Christoph Rader and co-workers at The Scripps Research Institute in Florida, USA, reviewed the use of rabbit antibodies in research, diagnostics and therapy. Rabbits are commonly used as models in immunology because of their highly sensitive immune system, which generates large numbers of antibodies in response to multiple antigens. Rabbit polyclonal antibodies, antibodies that target different ‘epitopes’ (or sites) on an antigen molecule, are used to prevent and treat transplant rejection. Rader's team highlights the outstanding performance in pre-clinical studies of novel rabbit monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), highly specialised antibodies that target single epitopes. Among many potential applications, rabbit mAbs can detect and destroy cancer cells, and may aid in developing vaccines for diseases like HIV.