Serology & Immunology:

Introduction
Prepared by: Carlo Ace D. De Belen, RMT
Subject overview

 Immunology - The study of a host’s reactions when foreign

substances are introduced into the body.

 Serology – A medical science dealing with blood serum

especially in regard to its immunological reactions and
properties
Terminologies

 Antigens – Are substances which when introduced

parentally into the body stimulate the production of an
antibody.

 Antibodies – Are globulin protein (Immunoglobulin) that

are synthesized by your immune cells in response to the
antigen.
Antigen: Properties

 Antigenicity – The ability of a substance to bind

specifically with the products of the adaptive immunity.

 Immunogenicity – The ability of a substance to elicit an

immune response.
Antigen: Antigenic determinant
Antigen: Classification according to
Immunogenicity
 Complete antigens

 Incomplete antigens
Antigen: Classification according to
Immunogenicity
 Superantigens
Antigen: Classification according to
Origin
 Exogenous

 Endogenous

 Autoantigens
Antigen: Classification according to
Origin
 Xenoantigen

 Alloantigen

 Heterophile antigen
Antigen: Factors affecting
Immunogenicity
 Foreignness - The immune system normally discriminates
between self and non-self such that only foreign
molecules are immunogenic.

 Size – The bigger the size, the higher the immune response
will be.

 Complexity – The chemical structure of an antigen plays a

role in its immunogenicity.
Antigen: Factors affecting
Immunogenicity
 Physical form – Particulate antigens are more
immunogenic than soluble ones.

 Degradability – Antigens that are easier to degrade are

more immunogenic.
Antigen: Biological factors

 Genetic factors

 Age
Antigen: Method of administration

 Dosage – Too low a dose of Antigen will fail to activate enough

lymphocytes for a response whereas too high a dose can
overwhelm the system and cause the lymphocytes to enter a
nonresponsive state.

 Route - The route of antigen administration can also alter the

nature of the response.

 Adjuvants - Adjuvants are substances that when mixed with an

Antigen serve to enhance the immunogenicity of that Antigen.
Adjuvants are oftenwater in oil mixtures with various bacterial
components added.
Antibodies: Functions

 Opsonization

 Neutralization

 Agglutination

 Complement activation
Antibodies: Opsonization
Antibodies: Neutralization
Antibodies: Agglutination
Antibodies: Structure
Antibodies: Structure
Antibodies: Structure
Antibodies: Structure
Antibodies: Isotopes
Antibodies: Immunoglobulin G

 Monomeric

 Most abundant immunoglobulin in the blood.

 Has 4 classes

 Only antibody that can cross the placenta.

Antibodies: Immunoglobulin G

 Can act as an opsonin.

 Can activate the complement pathway.

Antibodies: Immunoglobulin M

 Pentameric

 First antibody to be produced during an infection.

 Only type of antibody a fetus can produce.

 Best agglutinin.
Antibodies: Immunoglobulin M

 Can act as an opsonin.

 Can activate the complement pathway.

 Can be expressed in the surface of a B-cell.

Antibodies: Immunoglobulin D

 Monomeric

 Membrane bound antibody.

 Can be expressed on the surface of a B-cell.

 Can be a marker of a B-cell’s maturity.

Antibodies: Immunoglobulin E

 Monomer

 Lifespan can be doubled if bound to mast cells or

basophils.

 Does not agglutinate and fix complement.

Antibodies: Immunoglobulin A

 Monomeric or Dimeric.

 Main immunoglobulin in saliva, sweat, and breastmilk.

End…