What are Immunoglobulins?
Immunoglobulins, commonly known as antibodies, are Y-shaped proteins produced by plasma cells that are part of the immune system. The immune system protects our body against disease by recognizing and responding to pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and fungi. When these foreign substances known as antigens enter the body, they are produced by specialized immune cells known as B cells or B lymphocytes. They bind specifically to antigens to help eliminate them or prevent them from causing diseases.
Types
There are five main classes or isotypes in the human body, categorized based on their unique structures. These five classes are:
IgG: IgG is the most abundant Immunoglobulin in human circulation, making up about 75% of the total antibody levels. IgG plays an important role in defending the body against infections by binding to pathogens and tagging them for destruction by other immune cells.
IgA: IgA is present in high concentrations in secretions like tears, saliva, breast milk and mucus. IgA protects the body against infection by trapping pathogens at mucosal surfaces like the respiratory, gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts.
IgM: IgM is the first antibody produced when the immune system encounters a new antigen. IgM antibodies have a pentameric ring structure that makes them very effective at killing pathogens through activation of the complement system.
IgD: IgD is found on the surface of B cells and plays an important role in immune cell activation and differentiation. However, its exact function is still not well understood.
IgE: IgE antibodies bind to allergens and play a key role in allergic reactions and defense against parasitic infections. When the immune system mistakenly identifies common environmental substances as allergens, IgE antibodies are produced, triggering allergic conditions like asthma, eczema, rhinitis and food allergies.
How They Work
The five classes of them have distinctive structures that allow them to perform specialized functions. All share a basic Y-shaped structure consisting of four polypeptide chains. Two heavy chains and two light chains come together to form the characteristic Y shape, with a flexible hinge region in the middle.
The tip of each arm of the Y contains a paratope region which binds specifically to an epitope on antigens known as the antigen binding site. When they binds to a pathogen, other components of the immune system are activated to either neutralize or eliminate the threat. For example, IgG antibodies bind to viruses and bacteria, while recruiting other immune cells to destroy them through processes like phagocytosis, complement activation and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity.
Clinical Significance Testing
Measuring their levels through blood tests plays an important role in diagnosing and managing various medical conditions. Abnormal levels of different classes of immunoglobulins can help detect immune system abnormalities, infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders.
Some common reasons for testing their levels include:
- Primary immunodeficiency: Genetic diseases resulting in defective or absent antibody production can be detected by low IgG, IgA or IgM levels.
- Secondary immunodeficiency: Conditions like HIV/AIDS, cancer treatments or chronic diseases may suppress the immune system and reduce immunoglobulin production.
- Autoimmune diseases: High levels of certain antibodies point to autoimmune disorders like systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren's syndrome.
- Allergies: Elevated IgE levels indicate allergic hypersensitivity and sensitization to particular allergens.
- Infections: Specific IgG, IgM or IgA antibodies may be measured to detect recent or past exposure to infectious agents.
- Transplant monitoring: Immunoglobulin levels are regularly tested after organ or stem cell transplants to monitor immune reconstitution and detect transplant rejection.
By understanding how antibodies protect our body and the significance of measuring immunoglobulin levels in clinical practice, we gain valuable insights into boosting immunity and managing diseases more effectively. Further research continues to unravel new functions of these Y-shaped protector molecules.
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