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Thursday
Oct182007

Antibodies are messing with my body

Antibodies play an important role in the immune functions and although there are five major classes of antibodies, microbiologists believe that there are upwards of billions of variations of antibodies ( Paustian & Roberts, 2005). Antibodies are created by the synthesization of proteins into either light chains or heavy chains and the class that an antibody falls into is determined based upon the type of chain located in the structure of the antibody. immunoglobulin.jpg

The first type of antibody classification is Immunoglobulin A (IgA) which protects mucsosal surfaces with a fluid like secretion (Vedhara & Irwin, 2005). IgA is found in serum, mucus, saliva, tears, sweat, and milk and has also been associated with being transferred to an unborn child (passive immunity) and can also protect the child after birth for several months. This time frame can be further increased when the mother breast-feeds ( Niers, Stasse-Wolthuis, Rombouts, & Rijkers, 2007).

A second type of antibody classification is Immunoglobulin E (IgE) which triggers the release of histamines by attaching to antigens, basophils, and mast cells ( Vedhara & Irwin, 2005). IgE does not make up a very large portion of antigens but it is responsible for reactions resulting in hives, asthma, and hayfever as examples (Paustian & Roberts, 2005).

A third type of antibody classification is Immunoglobulin M (IgM) which forms antibody-antigens processed by the liver and stimulates complement-mediated lysis (Vedhara & Irwin, 2005). IgM makes up about 10% of the total antibodies and it is very important in the initial phases of an illness to stop the spreading of the pathogen ( Paustian & Roberts, 2005).

A fourth type of antibody classification is Immunoglobulin G (IgG) which allows for the consumption of pathogens such as bacteria by coating them so that macrophages and neutrophils will be able to recognize them as pathogens (Vedhara & Irwin, 2005). IgG is the largest classification of circulating antibodies ( Paustian & Roberts, 2005).

The fifth type of antibody classification is Immunoglobulin D (IgD) which is lacking in enough research to clearly understand its functions (Vedhara & Irwin, 2005). This antibody located on the surface of B-lymphocytes (Paustian & Roberts, 2005). Currently there are research studies being conducted on immature IgD antibodies to transfer them to becoming mature B cells in an effort to try and gain further understanding of the actual function IgD antibodies (Koelsch et al., 2007).

Koelsch, K., Nai-Ying, Z., Quigzhao, Z., Duty, A., Helms, C., Mathias, M. D., Jared, M., Smith, K., Capra, J., & Wilson, P. C. (2007). Mature b cells class switched to igd are autoreactive in healthy individuals. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 117(6), 1558-1565.

Niers, L., Stasse-Wolthuis, M., Rombouts, F. M., & Rijkers, G. T. (2007). Nutritional support for the infant’s immune system. Nutritional Reviews, 65(8), 347-360.

Paustian, T. & Roberts, G. (2005). Antibodies come in five classes. Through The Microscope: A Look At All Things Small, 15-18. Retrieved September 20, 2007, from the Bacteriology Department Website from the University of Wisconsin-Madison: http://www.microbiologytext.com/index.php?module=Book&func=displayarticle&art_id=393

Vedhara, K., & Irwin, M.R. (2005). Human Psychoneuroimmunology. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Reader Comments (5)

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Oct 13, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterRicky

Thanks this was a helpful overview :)

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thanks a lot dear, im very interesting for your article. im very impresing for this :)

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