An Overview Of Main Antibody Types And Their Functions
Antibodies are various proteins in the immune system or produced in response to an antigen. They neutralize any substance as a toxin, pathogen, or enzyme that stimulates an immune response in the body. When encountering antigens, B cells release antibodies to divide the cells into nuclei containing the same number of chromosomes. As a class of proteins produced in lymph tissue in vertebrates, antibodies in the immune resist harmful elements that attack the body. This article discusses the main type of antibodies and their specific functions.
Generally, the human body contains five types of antibodies, which are IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM. Here is a breakdown of each isotype with distinct characteristics and functions.
IgA:-
IgA is the antibody found abundantly in secretions such as bowel fluid, serum, nasal mucus, saliva, and breast milk. It has a Y shape but becomes 2 Ys after molecules of two compounds are composed of two identical monomers. IgA prevents bacterial invasion from a mucous membrane and protects the gastrointestinal tract of newborn cells from pathogens in breast milk. IgA may further divide into two sub-classes, IgA1 and IgA2. While IgA1 exists in monomeric and dimeric forms, it shields the body against outside elements to reduce tissue swelling.
IgD:-
IgD is present in human immunoglobulin and plays a significant role in producing the antibody by B cells. It is a very lightweight cell and covers less than 1% of the total antibody content. Since there is a scarcity of IgD in the serum, there is not much evidence of their functionality. However, it helps in preventing bacteria from the respiratory tract.
IgE:-
Just like IgD, IgE is a tiny antibody that occupies very little space in the serum. It comprises only 0.01% of antibody content in human immunoglobulins. However, it has a bigger hand to play when protecting the body against parasites. It resides in a simple compound in the body and eliminates seasonal rhinitis from an allergic reaction to pollen. It acts as a protection layer in the respiratory and intestinal tracts to fight allergic reactions.
IgG:-
IgG is the main antibody isotype and is most abundant in blood plasma. It comprises around 80% of the total antibody content in the serum and detoxifies harmful substances. IgG immediately recognizes the substance when encountering antigens and sends it to the placenta through the fetus. The process is to protect the unborn child in the womb until the delivery. IgG has sub-divisions, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4. It neutralizes toxins and pathogens by transferring the isotype from the mother to the newborn.
IgM:-
IgM has five Ys in a pentagon shape, and each molecule links to the blood. It comprises about 10% of human immunoglobulins circulating in the blood. IgM is the first to react to microbial infection caused by antigens in the serum, among other antibodies. IgM is responsible for efficiently activating the immune system to protect the body from pathogens thanks to its complex structure.
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Author's Bio - The writer is an avid online blogger. This article is about Custom Antibody Conjugation.












