Immunoglobulin D (IgD) is an antibody with the basic four polypeptide structure of an immunoglobulin (Figure 1); and IgD is mostly found attached to the membranes of B cell. IgD is a membrane bound immunoglobulin, and it has a molecular weight (MW) of about 180, 000 DA. Immunoglobulin D is present in only trace amounts […]
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Immunology & Immune System
Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is a monomeric antibody and the most predominant immunoglobulin in secondary (memory) immune response to an invading antigen. It accounts for about 80 % of the total immunoglobulin pool in blood serum or plasma and tissue fluids. IgG unlike other immunoglobulins crosses the placental barrier, and thus it provides the neonate or
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Immunology & Immune System
Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is an antibody that is known to bind to host tissue cells (e.g. mast cells), and it is largely responsible for most hypersensitivity reactions (i.e. allergy) in the body. Some of the symptoms of the allergic reactions mediated by IgE response to the invasion of antigens include anaphylactic shock, hay fever and
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Immunology & Immune System
Immunoglobulin M (IgM) is an antibody that mainly exist as a pentamer i.e. it consists of five different monomeric units joined together by disulphide bonds and a joining (J) chain (Figure 1). The function of the J chain in the IgM structure is to help in the polymerization of the individual monomeric units that makeup
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Immunology & Immune System
Colostrum is the first secretion of the mammary gland (breast) produced before proper lactation commences in a nursing mother. It is the first breast milk produced from the mammary gland or breast of a woman after giving birth to a baby. It is a major source of passive immunity transferred from mother to the newborn
Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is an antibody found in serum (as a monomer of about 150,000 Daltons) and in body secretions (as a dimer of about 600,000 Daltons); and it is mainly produced in the body by mucosal associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). Though it mainly exists as a monomer and dimer (Figure 1) IgA can also
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Immunology & Immune System
Immunoglobulins do not actually kill or eliminate pathogenic microorganisms or antigens from the body. The role of antibodies during an infection is to bind specifically to invading pathogens so that the antigen-antibody complex so formed can be made readily available for other immune system action such as opsonization, phagocytosis, neutralization or complement fixation which ultimately
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Immunology & Immune System
Antibodies are soluble protein molecules produced by the B cells of the immune system in response to a specific antigen. They are antigen recognition molecules; and antibodies generally recognize and bind to specific antigens. The term antibodies is used synonymously with immunoglobulins (Ig). Antibodies are glycoproteins that are produced by B cells (specifically plasma cells)
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Immunology & Immune System
However antigenic a foreign molecule/substance may be, to be immunogenic and qualify to be called an actual antigen to the extent of eliciting the host’s immune system to mount a specific immune response or attack, antigens must meet certain criteria that actually make them eligible immunogens (i.e. B cell and T cell activators). The immune
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Immunology & Immune System
Immunization is the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine. Vaccines stimulate the body’s own immune system to protect the person against subsequent infection or disease. Another word that can be used for immunization is vaccination. Immunization is a proven tool for
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Immunology & Immune System, Virology