Monoclonal antibodies: current status in eye research.

Hybridoma technology has made a major impact on basic immunology and has many research and clinical applications in ophthalmology. Monoclonal antibodies can be used to characterize ocular receptors, proteins, and cell surface antigens. Clinically, these antibodies can be used in vitro and in vivo diagnosis and therapy. T-cell hybridoma products may have important research and clinical ramifications. They can be used along with monoclonal antibodies to increase our understanding of immunological circuit abnormalities in ocular autoimmune, immunodeficiency, and malignant diseases. As the specific abnormalities in these diseases are delineated, the hybridoma-produced lymphokines may be used therapeutically to correct them.