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13.1C: The 5 Classes (Isotypes) of Human Antibodies

  • Page ID
    3306
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    State which classes (isotypes) of human antibodies possess the following characteristics:
    1. are monomers
    2. is a pentamer
    3. is a dimer
    4. activates the classical complement pathway by its Fc portion
    5. binds to macrophages and neutrophils by its Fc portion
    6. binds to NK cells by its Fc portion
    7. crosses the placenta
    8. functions as a B-cell receptor
    9. the first antibody produced during an adaptive immune response
    10. binds to components of mucous by its Fc portion
    11. found mainly in body secretions
    12. binds to mast cells and basophils by its Fc portion and promotes inflammation, coughing, sneezing, vomiting, and allergic reactions
    13. binds to eosinophils by its Fc portion and promotes the removal of parasitic worms and arthropods
  • Match the antibody isotype with its description.
  • alt
    Figure \(\PageIndex{13}\).3.3: Opsonization (Enhanced Attachment). The Fab portion of IgG binds to epitopes of an antigen. The Fc portion can now attach the antigen to Fc receptors on phagocytes for enhanced attachment. This is especially important against encapsulated microbes. C3b and C4b from the complement pathways can also attach antigens to phagocytes.
    For More Information: Classical complement pathway from Unit 5
     
    For More Information: Opsonization from Unit 6
     
    For More Information: Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) from Unit 6
     

    IgM (Immunoglobulin M)

    alt
    Figure \(\PageIndex{13}\).3.6).
    alt
    Figure \(\PageIndex{13}\).3.6: Secretory IgA is a dimer and has 4 Fab sites. A secretory component helps protect it from digestion in body secretions.

    The Fc portion of secretory IgA binds to components of mucous and contributes to the ability of mucous to trap microbes. The Fc portion of secretory IgA can bind to macrophages and neutrophils for enhanced attachment (opsonization). IgA can activate the lectin complement pathway and the alternative complement pathway.

    IgD: (Immunoglobulin D)

    IgD makes up approximately 0.2% of the serum antibodies. IgD is a monomer and has 2 epitope-binding sites and is found on the surface of B-lymphocytes (along with monomeric IgM) as a B-cell receptor where it may control of B-lymphocyte activation and suppression. IgD may play a role in eliminating B-lymphocytes generating self-reactive autoantibodies.

    IgE (Immunoglobulin E)

    IgE makes up about 0.002% of the serum antibodies with a half-life of 2 days. Most IgE is tightly bound to basophils and mast cells via its Fc region . IgE is a monomer and has 2 epitope-binding sites. IgE is made in response to parasitic worms (helminths) and arthropods. It is also often made in response to allergens(allergens are antigens causing allergic reactions). IgE may protect external mucosal surfaces by promoting inflammation, enabling IgG, complement proteins, and leukocytes to enter the tissues, as well as by triggering coughing, sneezing, and vomiting for mechanical removal of microbes and toxins. .

    The Fc portion of IgE can bind to mast cells and basophils where it mediates many allergic reactions. Cross linking of cell-bound IgE by antigen triggers the release of vasodilators for an inflammatory response (Fig 7). The Fc portion of IgE made against parasitic worms and arthropods can bind to eosinophils enabling opsonization (Figure \(\PageIndex{8}\)). This is a major defense against parasitic worms and arthropods.

    For More Information: IgE-mediated hypersensitivity (Type-I) from Unit 6
     

    Each day an average adult produces approximately three grams of antibodies, about two-thirds of this IgA.

    Summary

    1. IgG makes up approximately 80% of the serum antibodies, is a monomer with 2 Fab sites. The Fc portion can activate the classical complement pathway, bind to macrophages and neutrophils to enable opsonization, bind to NK cells to promote ADCC, and can cross the placenta.
    2. IgM makes up approximately 13% of the serum antibodies, is the first antibody produced during an immune response, is found mainly in the blood, and is a pentamer with 10 Fab sites. The Fc portion can activate the classical complement pathway. Monomeric forms of IgM are found on the surface of B-lymphocytes as B-cell receptors.
    3. IgA makes up approximately 6% of the serum antibodies, is a dimer with 4 epitope-binding sites and is found mainly in body secretions as secretory IgA (sIgA) where it protects internal body surfaces exposed to the environment by blocking the attachment of bacteria and viruses to mucous membranes.
    4. The Fc portion of secretory IgA binds to components of mucous and contributes to the ability of mucous to trap microbes, and can bind to macrophages and neutrophils to enable opsonization, and can activate the lectin complement pathway and the alternative complement pathway.
    5. IgD makes up approximately 0.2% of the serum antibodies, is a monomer with 2 Fab sites, is found on the surface of B-lymphocytes as a B-cell receptor, and may play a role in eliminating B-lymphocytes generating self-reactive autoantibodies.
    6. IgE makes up about 0.002% of the serum antibodies, is a monomer with 2 Fab sites, and is made in response to parasitic worms (helminths) and arthropods. It is also often made in response to allergens. The Fc portion of IgE can bind to mast cells and basophils (see Figure \(\PageIndex{8}\)) where it mediates many allergic reactions, and the Fc portion of IgE made against parasitic worms can bind to eosinophils enabling opsonization. IgE may also protect external mucosal surfaces by promoting inflammation.

    Questions

    Study the material in this section and then write out the answers to these questions. Do not just click on the answers and write them out. This will not test your understanding of this tutorial.

    1. Match the class (isotype) of human antibody with its description.
    2. Multiple Choice (ans)

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