Antibodies

Table of Contents

I. Introduction

Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins (Ig), are a class of proteins that are produced by the immune system in response to foreign antigens.

They are an important component of the humoral immune response and play a key role in fighting infection and disease.

Antibodies are highly specific to a particular antigen and can bind to it with high affinity.

Antibodies are composed of four polypeptide chains: two heavy chains and two light chains.
The heavy chains are responsible for the antibody’s class or isotype, which determines its effector function.
The light chains are responsible for the antibody’s specificity, which determines its ability to bind to a particular antigen.

There are five main classes of antibodies: IgM, IgG, IgA, IgD, and IgE.
Each class has a unique structure and function.
IgM is the first class of antibody to be produced in response to an infection and is the largest antibody.
IgG is the most common antibody and is responsible for long-term immunity.
IgA is found in secretions such as tears, saliva, and breast milk and plays a role in protecting mucosal surfaces.
IgD is found on the surface of B cells and plays a role in the activation of the immune response.
IgE is responsible for allergic reactions.

Types of antibodies

Antibodies can neutralize pathogens by binding to them and making it difficult for them to infect host cells.
They can also bind to toxins and prevent them from causing harm.
Antibodies can also activate the complement system, which leads to the lysis of pathogens.
They can also recruit other immune cells such as macrophages and natural killer cells to the site of infection.

B cells, also known as B lymphocytes, are responsible for producing antibodies.
B cells develop from hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow.
They differentiate into immature B cells and then mature B cells, which enter the circulation.
B cells can also differentiate into memory B cells and plasma cells.

Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins (Ig), are a class of proteins that are produced by the immune system in response to foreign antigens.
They are an important component of the humoral immune response and play a key role in fighting infection and disease.
Antibodies are highly specific to a particular antigen and can bind to it with high affinity.
There are five main classes of antibodies: IgM, IgG, IgA, IgD, and IgE.
They can neutralize pathogens by binding to them, activate the complement system, recruit other immune cells and it also play role in B cell Development and Differentiation.

Structure of antibodies