Scribd
Upload
22 views

Antibody Structure and Function

Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins, are glycoproteins produced by plasma cells that can specifically bind to antigens which stimulated their production. They have a Y-shaped structure consisting of two heavy chains and two light chains that form the antigen binding fragment (Fab) and crystallizable fragment (Fc) regions. There are five major classes of immunoglobulins - IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, and IgE - that have different structures, functions and locations in the body. Monoclonal antibodies can be produced through cell fusion to create hybridoma cells that produce antibodies targeting a specific antigen, and they have various clinical applications like disease diagnosis, treatment and research.

Uploaded by

Dawn Casuncad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
22 views

Antibody Structure and Function

Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins, are glycoproteins produced by plasma cells that can specifically bind to antigens which stimulated their production. They have a Y-shaped structure consisting of two heavy chains and two light chains that form the antigen binding fragment (Fab) and crystallizable fragment (Fc) regions. There are five major classes of immunoglobulins - IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, and IgE - that have different structures, functions and locations in the body. Monoclonal antibodies can be produced through cell fusion to create hybridoma cells that produce antibodies targeting a specific antigen, and they have various clinical applications like disease diagnosis, treatment and research.

Uploaded by

Dawn Casuncad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 25

ANTIBODY

STRUCTURE AND
FUNCTION
Jeannemar Genevive Yap Figueras, Ph.D
Biological Sciences Department
College of Arts & Sciences
West Visayas State University

Antibodies
Serum proteins, gamma globulins produced by
lymphocytes and plasma cells in response to
antigen stimulation and can react specifically
w/ the antigen which stimulated their
formation.
Immunoglobulins

Immunoglobulins

Glycoproteins (82 96% polypeptide; 4-18%


carbohydrate) found in the serum portion of
the blood.
Gamma globulins produced by lymphocytes
and plasma cells in response to antigen
stimulation and can react specifically w/the
antigen which stimulated their formation.
Comprise 1 2% of total serum proteins; even
more in abnormal states.
Appear primarily in the gamma () band when
subjected to serum electrophoresis at pH 8.6)

Immunoglobulins (cont)

Humoral branch of the immune response.


Essential role in antigen recognition and biologic
activities related to the immune response (e.g.,
opsonization and complement activation)
Made up of a basic 4-chain polypeptide unit; 2
large heavy (H) chains and 2 light (L) chains.
Fc fragment (no antigen-binding activity;
represent the carboxyl-terminal halves of two H
chains held together by S-S bonding; important
in effector functions of immunoglobulin
molecules like opsonization and complement
fixation)

Immunoglobulins (cont)
Fab fragment (fragment antigen binding)
consist of one L chain and one half of an H
chain, held together by disulfide bonding.
Hinge region segment of the H chain
found
between the CH1 and CH2
regions.
-high proline and hydrophobic
residues for flexibility.

Subclasses of
Immunoglobulin

IgA
Watery fluids & surface secretions (tears,
colostrum, milk, circulating blood;
alimentary & respiratory tracts)
1st line of microbial invasion defense
Direct viricidal activity
No complement activation or bacterial wall
lysis; but attachment to b. wall promotes
phagocytosis or interfere w/ bacterial
penetration
160,000 m.w.; s.c. = 7 S; 5 days half life
May act as an opsonin

IgD
Small amts. circulate in plasma.
Sensitive to proteolysis (bec. of unusually long
hinge region), therefore, difficult to isolate &
purify
Mostly found in surface membranes of
unstimulated B lymphocytes part. in cord blood.
184,000 m.w.; 2 3 days h.l.
7 S S.C.
No protective function in serum bec. it does not
bind complement; does not bind neutrophils or
macrophages, & does not cross the placental
barrier.

IgE
Resp. for hypersensitivity rxns desc. as atopic and
anaphylactic, e.g., hay fever, asthma, eczema,
insect venom reaction, penicillin & other chemical
or drug rxns.
Least abundant Ig in serum
2-3 days h.l.; 8 S S.C.
190,000 m.w.; most heat labile (56 oC).
Produced by plasma cells in the lung & skin; bind
to mast cells/basophils
May appear as a nuisance antibody; serve a
protective role by triggering acute inflammatory
rections recruiting neutrophils & eosinophils to
help destroy invading antigens that have
penetrated IgA defenses.

IgG
Predominant Ig in humans (75 -80% of serum Igs)
23 25 days h.l.; 150,000 m.w.; 7 S S.C.
Provide immunity for newborn (placental transfer)
Secondary response
Fixation of complement
Opsonization or coating of antigen for enhanced
phagocytosis.
Neutralization of toxins & viruses.
Participation in agglutination & precipitation
reactions.
Macrophages, monocytes & neutrophils have
specific receptors for the Fc region of IgG.

IgM

Macroglobulin
Intravascular pool; incapable of placental transfer
19 S S.C.; 900,000 m.w.;10 days h.l.
5 10% of serum Igs
Predominant in primary responses; primary
response antibody
Complement fixation
Agglutination
Opsonization
Neutralization of toxins

Clonal Selection Theory


Lymphocytes are genetically programmed to
produce one type of immunoglobulin
Specific antigen finds or selects those
particular cells which respond to it, causing
proliferation.
H chain genes=chromosome 14
chain genes=chromosome 2
chain genes=chromosome 22
Selection process (genes cannot be
transcribed and translated into functional
antibody molecules until rearrangement takes
place)

Monoclonal Antibody

Development of antibodies for diagnostic testing


Activated cell + cancerous cell (myeloma) +
polyethylene glycol (PEG)

Hybridoma in hypoxanthine, aminopterin and


thymidine (HAT) medium

Monoclonal immunoglobulin production

Clinical Applications
Use of the antibody specific for chain of
HCG for pregnancy testing.
Detection of tumor antigens and
measurement of hormone levels.
Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and
Crohns disease by inflixmab (blocks action
of tumor necrosis factor-alpha).
Treatment for cancer and antiplatelet
therapy for coronary syndromes.

THANK YOU! ! !

You might also like