H

Hybridoma is a type of immortalized cell that emerges from fusion of a B cell and a myeloma cell and produces antibodies. It was popular in monoclonal antibody production prior to recombinant technology. B cells were harvested from immunized animals and selected for desirable antibody properties. Suitable cells were fused with myeloma cells to generate a cell line that combines the antibody producing properties of the B cell and the immortality of the myeloma cell. The resulting hybridoma cells were injected into animals or grown in culture to continually harvest the secreted antibodies.

HEK-293 is the acronym for Human Embryonic Kidney cells. HEK cell lines were developed from a single tissue sample by means of treating them with adenovirus. Experiment No. 293 yielded immortalized cells that continued to grow and multiply in suitable cell culture conditions. They are relatively easy to culture and are popular for cell experiments as well as for gene expression. When comparing HEK293 vs. CHO cells, both have unique properties that qualify them as recombinant antibody expression systems.

Heavy chains are components of antibodies, which consist of two heavy chains and two light chains. Each heavy chain spans the whole length from the base to the tip of the “Y” of an antibody and contributes to the antigen binding as well as the signaling mechanisms at the Fc region.