Our Low IgG sera contain immunoglobulins of type G(IgG) in a greatly reduced concentration. Sera with a reduced IgG content are particularly suitable for antibody production with hybridoma cells, antibody-sensitive immunological tests or for radioactive labeling.
Immunoglobulins (antibodies) of type G are produced as part of the adaptive immune system by B lymphocytes or plasma cells after contact with an antigen. They bind the epitope of the antigen, analogous to the lock-and-key principle, and are used for neutralization, opsonization, complement activation and antibody-dependent, cell-mediated cytotoxicity. As antibody production has not yet taken place in bovine fetuses, FBS already has a low IgG content of 70-330 µg/ml on average. For antibody-sensitive studies or the cultivation of hybridoma cells, however, the serum must be almost free of IgGs.
In order to create in vivo conditions for in vitro cell culture, serum is often added to the cell culture medium. Serum serves the cells as a source of growth factors, lipids, hormones and minerals. Fetal bovine serum (FBS) is particularly rich in growth factors and contains few antibodies that could interfere with cell cultivation. This unique composition makes FBS one of the most important supplements for cell proliferation in in vitro cell culture.