Last edited: 8/8/2021

ANTIBODY STRUCTUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS

Immunology: Antibody Structures and Functions Medical Editor: Dr. Sofia Suhada M. Uzir

OUTLINE (i) Determines the types of antibodies

o The heavy chains have small alterations which make
I) IMMUNOGLOBULINS
the different types of antibodies like IgA, IgM and IgG
II) BASIC FUNCTIONS - IMMUNOGLOBULINS
(ii) Is a binding site for complement proteins
III) TYPES OF IMMUNOGLOBULINS
o Which activate immune cells like macrophages to
IV) PASSIVE VS ACTIVE IMMUNITY enhance phagocytosis of pathogen (opsonization)
V) REVIEW QUESTIONS (iii) Is a binding site for immune cells like NK cells
VI) REFERENCES o Via their CD16 protein which causes cytotoxic killing
of cells infected by a pathogen

I) IMMUNOGLOBULINS (B) FAB REGION

● This contains the variable and hypervariable regions
● The basic structures of immunoglobulins consist of:
● This region is formed by both light and heavy chains
o Fc region – constant region
● This region is responsible for recognizing and binding
o Fab region – variable region
to the antigen

(i) Vary from antibody to antibody

o Which allows them to bind different antigens
o Example:
 Antibody 1 has a Fab region that can bind a
square antigen
 Antibody 2 has a Fab region that can bind a
circular antigen

II) BASIC FUNCTIONS - IMMUNOGLOBULINS

● Immunoglobulins are made by plasma cells (effector B-
Figure 1. Immunoglobulin structure [MLS]
cells) which can perform the following functions:
o Neutralization of antigens
(A) FC REGION o Opsonization of antigens (↑ phagocytosis)
● This contains the constant region with carbohydrate o Activate the complement system
side chains and a carboxy terminal o Activate NK cells for cellular killing
● This region is formed by heavy chains o Agglutination reactions

ANTIBODY STRUCTUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS IMMUNOLOGY: Note #1. 1 of 6

 III) TYPES OF IMMUNOGLOBULINS
● Immunoglobulins include:
o IgG
o IgA
o IgM
o IgE
o IgD

Figure 2. Types of immunoglobulins [MLS]

(A) IGG
o Activate complement proteins to binding to Fc region
which:
 ↑ opsonization of pathogen
 ↑ phagocytosis or complements create MAC which
creates holes in pathogen
o Neutralizes all the viral protein binding sites which
prevents viruses from binding to and infecting cells
(iii) Clinical significance
o Rh antibodies made in a Rh- mother are IgG
antibodies which can cross the placenta:
 ↑ hemolysis of RBCs
Figure 3. IgG [DentalCare]
 → Hemolytic anemia of the newborn
o A specific type of IgG antibody made in hepatitis C
● Most abundant in serum infection is called IgG anti-HBc
 Which indicates an acute hepatitis C infection has
(i) Structure
transitioned into a chronic hepatitis C infection
o Monomeric antibody o These antibodies are involved in hypersensitivity
(ii) Functions reactions:
 Type II → antibodies bind to proteins in a tissue
o Long term antibody
and cause inflammation or destruction of that
 When infected your plasma cells make IgM
tissue
antibodies → plasma cells then later switch and
• Immune thrombocytopenic Purpura
make IgG antibodies → this is called delayed
• Goodpasture Syndrome
formation
o Provides passive immunity → IgG antibodies from • Myasthenia Gravis
mother crosses placenta → provides immunity to  Type III → antibodies bind with proteins and form
fetus an immune complex which deposits in tissues and
causes inflammation or destruction of that tissue
Remember:
“IgG Grants Immunity for Growing Fetus” • Glomerulonephritis
• Vasculitis
• Serum sickness
2 of 6 IMMUNOLOGY: Note #1. ANTIBODY STRUCTUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS
 (B) IGA (C) IGM

Figure 5. IgM [DentalCare]

Figure 4. IgA [DentalCare]
(i) Structure
● Most abundant in body, low in serum o Pentamer
(i) Structure  Circulates in the serum
o Monomers
o Monomeric antibody  Located on the surface of mature B cells
o Dimer
 Two monomers connected via a J-protein (ii) Functions

(ii) Functions o Acute (short term) antibody

 When first infected by a pathogen your plasma
o Prevents pathogens from binding and releasing cells make IgM antibodies
proteolytic enzymes onto cells within our mucous  → plasma cells then later switch and make IgG
membranes and body fluids antibodies
 Body fluids:  → this is called delayed formation
• Saliva Remember:
• Urine IgM means IMmediately
• Mucus
• Lacrimal fluid (tears)
o These antibodies can activate complement proteins
• Breast milk
which can
o Note:
 ↑ opsonization of pathogen
Similar to the IgG antibodies the IgA
 ↑ phagocytosis or complements create MAC which
antibodies can provide passive immunity
creates holes in pathogen
to the fetus because it can be transmitted
o Involved in agglutination (clumping) of RBCs
via the breast milk
 When someone receives a mismatched blood
 Mucous membranes
transfusion
• GIT
• Respiratory tract (iii) Clinical significance

(iii) Clinical significance o Involved in mismatched blood transfusion reactions

o A specific type of IgM antibody made in hepatitis C
o In celiac disease IgA antibodies can be made against infection is called IgM anti-HBc
a protein in our GIT cells (enterocytes) called tissue  Indicates an acute hepatitis C infection
transglutaminase
 This can cause cell damage and inflammation of
the GIT
 → causing malabsorption of nutrients
o A disease called IgA deficiency
 Can predispose a patient to common pulmonary
and GIT infections because these antibodies are
crucial in mucous membrane defense

ANTIBODY STRUCTUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS IMMUNOLOGY: Note #1. 3 of 6

 (D) IGE (E) IGD

Figure 6. IgE [DentalCare]

(i) Structure
o Monomers
(ii) Functions Figure 7. IgD [DentalCare]
o This antibody can bind to mast cells & basophils
o When an allergen binds to the IgE antibodies bound (i) Structure
to these cells
o Monomers
 Activates the mast cells and basophils
 Triggering degranulation of these cells (ii) Functions
 ↑ Histamine release
o These antibodies primarily our membrane bound
 → ↑ inflammation
receptors on the B-cells
• This is involved in allergic reactions o They can recognize an antigen on a foreign pathogen
o These antibodies also stimulate eosinophils with this antibody
 Releasing cationic peptides and major basic  This can activate immune response
proteins → destroying parasites
(iii) Clinical significance
o Involved in allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis &
asthma
o Elevated in parasitic infections

Figure 8. Immunoglobulin complexes [Wikipedia]

4 of 6 IMMUNOLOGY: Note #1. ANTIBODY STRUCTUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS

 IV) PASSIVE VS ACTIVE IMMUNITY
● Immunity to a disease is achieved through the presence of antibodies to the disease in a person’s system.
● There are two types of immunity:
o Passive immunity
o Active immunity

Figure 9. Passive vs active immunity [Online Science Notes]

(A) PASSIVE IMMUNITY (B) ACTIVE IMMUNITY

● Means your plasma cells did not make those antibodies ● Means your plasma cells did make those antibodies that
that provide you with immunity provide you with immunity
● There are two types of passive immunity ● There are two types of active immunity
(i) Natural (i) Natural
o These antibodies are made by the mother and o These are made by your plasma cells in response to
transferred from mother to child a foreign pathogen that you were infected with
 IgG antibodies from placenta to fetus  Influenza
 IgA antibodies from breast milk to fetus  Strep throat
(ii) Artificial  Sinusitis
o These antibodies are provided from an exogenous (ii) Artificial
source
o It was made by your plasma cells in response to a
 Rhogam used in Rh- mothers giving birth to a RH
weakened or dead pathogen that you were exposed
+ fetus
to
 IVIG given in diseases like myasthenia gravis or
 Vaccines that don't have a live pathogen
Guillain Barre syndrome
 Antitoxin to snake venom from a snake bite

ANTIBODY STRUCTUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS IMMUNOLOGY: Note #1. 5 of 6

 V) REVIEW QUESTIONS Which of the following immunoglobulins are
secretory and present in the milk?
The classes of immunoglobulins include the a. IgG
following except b. IgM
a. IgA c. IgE
b. IgB d. IgA
c. IgG
d. IgD CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

The monomeric immunoglobulin consists of

heterodimers of heavy (H) and light (L) chain bound
VI) REFERENCES
together by non-covalent interaction and disulfide
bonds. Which of the following is the antigen binding ● Medical Lab Scientist. Immunoglobulins, Structure,
Classification, Functions [digital image]
site? https://medicallabscientist.org/immunoglobulins-structure-
a. Fab classification-functions/
b. Fc ● Wikipedia. Isotype immunology [digital image]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotype_(immunology)
c. Hinge region ● Online Science note. Passive vs active immunity 2018. [digital
d. None of the above image] https://onlinesciencenotes.com/differences-between-active-
and-passive-immunity/
The hypervariable complementarity determining ● DentalCare. Different types of Ig [digital image]
region is responsible for which of the following https://www.dentalcare.com/en-us/professional-education/ce-
function courses/ce1/five-classes-subclasses-of-immunoglobulins
● Immunology: Immunoglobulin Structure, Function 2021. [Quiz]
a. Binding to antigen https://www.medicalbiochemist.com/2018/09/immunoglobulin-
b. Binding to FcR structure-mcq.html
c. Binding to complement ● Le T, Bhushan V, Sochat M, Chavda Y, Zureick A. First Aid for
the USMLE Step 1 2018.
d. None of the above ● New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2017
● Marieb EN, Hoehn K. Anatomy & Physiology. Hoboken, NJ:
Which of the following antibody is produced as a
Pearson; 2020.
primary immune response and have higher valency ● Boron WF, Boulpaep EL. Medical Physiology.; 2017.
to remove clear antigens? ● LA, Cain ML, Wasserman SA, Minorsky PV, Orr RB, Campbell
a. IgA NA. Campbell Biology. New York, NY: Pearson; 2020.
● Jameson JL, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, Hauser SL, Longo DL,
b. IgG Loscalzo J. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. New York
c. IgM etc.: McGraw-Hill Education; 2018.
d. IgE ● lberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, Raff M, Roberts K, Walter P .
Molecular Biology of the Cell. New York, NY: Garland Science;
Which of the following antigen-bound antibodies 2002
bind to the Fc receptor present on the basophils ● Murphy K, Weaver C. Janeway's Immunobiology. Garland
Science; 2016
and tissue mast cells, and releases various ● Doan T, Melvold R, Viselli S, Waltenbaugh C. Immunology.
pharmacoactive mediators involved in anaphylaxis? Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2012
a. IgA ● Levinson W. Review of Medical Microbiology and Immunology.
Lange; 2012
b. IgD
c. IgE
d. IgM
Which of the following is the passive immunity
transferred from mother to its offspring?
a. Transplacental transfer of IgGs
b. Transfer of IgAs in the milk
c. Both a & b
d. None of the above
Which of the immunoglobulin isotype have the
longest half-life?
a. IgG
b. IgM
c. IgA
d. IgE
The immunoglobulin superfamily is the group of
membrane proteins that possess one or more
homologous immunoglobulin domain. Which of the
following is NOT immunoglobulin superfamily?
a. T cell receptor
b. Beta2 microglobulin
c. Insulin receptor
d. Platelet-derived growth factor
The effector function of the antibody requires its Fc
region. The Fc region binds to cells or proteins to
mediate its function. Which of the following is the
effector function of the antibody?
a. Antigen binding to antibody promotes opsonization
b. Antigen binding to antibody activates complement
c. Antigen binding to antibody activates cell cytotoxicity
d. All of the above

6 of 6 IMMUNOLOGY: Note #1. ANTIBODY STRUCTUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS