Antibody function: What you need to know

Antibodies play an important role in the immune system. Immunoglobulins present on the surface of the B-lymphocyte signal cytoplasmic and nuclear constituents. These also deliver the antigen to the cell where it can be destroyed, processed and returned to the cell surface to be presented by MHC class II molecules to the antigen-speci fi T helper cells. To know more visit IL2 Antibody.

T lymphocytes, in turn, send signals to B cells to mature and recognize antigens and create antibodies specifically targeted against it.

Humoral immune response

Antibodies secreted by B lymphocytes are responsible for the humoral immune response. The humoral immune system aids in the destruction of external pathogens and prevents the spread of intracellular infections. This immune system also protects against toxins.

Different functions of different parts of the antibody

The two structural portions of the antibody, the constant (Fc) fragments ie variable (fabulous) and, communicate different biological functions.

These functions are outlined as follows:

Fabulous-mediated functions:

• Antigen recognition - one of the major functions of the fabulous region is antigen recognition. The immune system generates the large number of antibodies that can recognize virtually all possible antigens present in pathogens and their products. These can be on invasive microbes such as bacteria, viruses, and parasite antigens as well as environmental ones. Antibodies can be produced against all types of molecules including carbohydrates, nucleic acids and phospholipids but are best suited for binding against a protein.

• Pathogen neutralization - once the antibodies recognize the antigens the binding occurs outside the cell. This is where most of the bacteria and bacterial toxins are found. Clogging prevents access of the pathogen into cells and prevents infection or destruction of host cells. Antibodies also blind the binding of bacteria to host cells by binding to cell-surface proteins. Antibodies similarly protect against viral infections as well.

• Antibodies are the first line of defense - IgM antibodies have a pentameric structure and are rapidly generated in blood. They can bind to polyvalent antigens, such as bacterial cell wall polysaccharides. This is because each IgM pentamer has 10 antigen-binding sites. This increases their strength and ability to bind antigens. IgM antibodies are also elective in complement activation. IgG also aids in the activation of opsonization and complement. IgG spreads in the tissues and binds toxins quickly. IgG can thus neutralize non-native antigens and protect epithelial cells against infectious agents that act as the first line of defense.

Fc-mediated functions of the determinant:

• Determinant cell activation - Through their Fc fragments, antibodies can activate the elector's accessory cells. These include phagocytic cells such as macrophages and neutrophils, T cells such as natural killer cells, and eosinophils and stick cells. Each of these cells has a receptor for the Fc fragment. Thus these cells can determine an Fc fragment and eliminate pathogens.

• Complement binding - once limited to antigen there is formation of antigen-antibody complexes. This further activates a complex set of reactions called the complement cascade. Complements are series of plasma proteins that assist in the loss of chemical mediators of stick cells (degradation of the stick cell), phagocytosis (eating up bacterial and microbial cells by macrophages) and lysis. cell (breaking down or partitioning of invading cells). Complement activation begins when the C1q molecule binds to the antibody molecules attached to the surface of a pathogen and triggers the classic path of complement activation. The main functions of supplements are to allow phagocytes to destroy bacteria that they would not otherwise recognize. Neither compliment nor phagocytes are the speci fi c for the pathogen but the antibodies are.

• Opsonization - those microbes that retracted outer cells are removed by a reciprocal action of the Fc part with the speci fi c receptors on the surface of the elector cells. Antibodies line the surface of the pathogen and allow binding of its Fc domains to Fc receptors present in the voter's cells. Macrophages and neutrophils then gobble up the pathogen and internalize the microbe that causes its destruction.

Antibody-mediated hypersensitivity or allergic reactions

Antibodies work like a double-edged sword in the body. With one edge they protect the body against microbes and with the other they can cause severe allergic reactions to relatively harmless proteins and others to molecules present in food, the environment, the remedy etc.