IMMUNOGLOBULINE

OBJECTIVES

 DEFINITION
 STRUCTURE
 TYPES
 FUNCTIONS
 MECHNISMS OF ACTION
DEFINITION

 Antibody is large protein , constitutes gamma globulin produced by plasma cells ,

a type of WBC .
 It is used by the immune system to identify and neutralize pathogen such as
bacteria and viruses .
 Antibodies also called IMMUNOGLOBULIN .
 The antibody recognize a unique molecule of the harmful agent are called
ANTIGEN .
 Are Glycoprotein .
 Constitute 25 to 30 % of total serum protein .
 Antibody occur in 2 physical forms –
1) A soluble form that is secreted from the cells .
2) A membrane bound from that is attached to the surface of a B cell and is
referred as B cell receptor .
The BCR Is only found on the surface of B cell and facilitate the activation of these
cells and their subsequent differentiation into either anti body factories that called
plasma cells memory B cell that will survive in the body and remember that same
antigen so the B cells can respond faster upon future exposure.
Basic Structure of Antibody

 Composed of 4 polypeptide chains .

 2 identical light chains – similar in all immunoglobulin .(Mol. Wt 23000)
 2 identical heavy chains (Mol. Wt. 53000 – 75000)
 Each heavy chains contains 450 amino acid while each light chains has 212
amino acid .
 The heavy chains of Ig are linked to carbohydrate .
 Linked by disulphide bond
 Light and heavy chains are subdivided into variable and constant region .
 Each heavy and light chain contains amino terminal in variable region carboxy
terminal on constant region .
CLASSIFICATION

 Based on structure and antigenic nature of H chain the immunoglobulins are

classified into 5 classes .
1. Ig G ( Gamma )
2. Ig A ( Alpha )
3. Ig M (mu )
4. Ig D (delta )
5. Ig E ( epsilon)
IMMUNOGLOBULINE - G
 They makes up approximately 80 % of the serum antibodies .
 They has life of 7 to 23 days .
 Ig G Is Monomer.
 This is the only class of the antibodies that can cross the placenta and enter the fetal
circulation .
Function

 Immunity to new born

 Neutralization of toxin
 Phagocytosis
IMMUNOGLOBULIN – A (Ig – A)

 They makes up approximately 6 % of the serum antibodies .

 They has a half life of approximately 5 days .
 Ig G is a dimer .
 They found mainly in body secretions such as saliva , mucus tears colostrum milk
Function

 Its as a secretory antibody .

 Effective against virus that causing influenza .
 Production to infant gut .
IMMUNOGLOBIN – M (Ig – M )

 They makes up 13 % of serum antibody .

 The have half life about 5 days .
 Most of Ig M are pentamer .
 It is the first Immunoglobulin class produced in a primary response to antigen .


FUNCTIONS

 Activation of classic pathway

 Defence against multivalent antigen
 Act as opsonin.(
IMMUNNOGLOBULINE - E

 Its very low concentration in blood

 It contains small percentage of
lymphocytes
Function –
 Responsible for Immediate
hypersensitivity
 Binds basophils and mast cells .
 Release of substance like histamine mast
cells and vasoactive mediators .
IMMUNOGLOBULIN - D

 They make up approximately 0.2 %

serum antibodies .
 This class antibodies are found on the
surface B- Lymphocytes.
Function -
 B cell activation
 Act a receptor for antigen binding
MECHANISM OF ACTION

 Antibodies protect the body from invading organism in two ways –

 By Direct action
 Through Complement System
Direct action Of Antibodies

 Antibodies directly inactive the invading organism by anyone of the followings

method –
 Agglutination – in this foreign bodies like bacteria with antigens on their surface
are held together in a clump by the antibodies .
 Precipitation –In this , the soluble antigens like tetanus toxins are converted into
insoluble forms and then precipitated
 Neutralization – During this the antibodies cover the toxic site of antigenic
product
 Lysis - its done by the most potent bodies , these antibodies rapture the cell
membrane of the organism then destroy them .