Immunoglobulins are sometimes called gamma globulins due to their unique Y conformation.
mature, which host them in their cell membrane (more than 100,000 for each B lymphocyte). At this level they act as antennas, or rather as specific membrane receptors that activate the lymphocyte upon contact with the antigen; a part of the activated lymphocytes is stimulated to reproduce, differentiating into plasma cells capable of synthesizing and secreting an impressive number of new antibodies (up to 2,000 immunoglobulins per second).
The antibodies released by the plasma cells, soluble in plasma, do not directly destroy the foreign host, but bind to it to make it more visible and susceptible to the action of the other actors of the immune system (phagocytes and cytotoxic cells).
To better understand
Imagine a square full of people, among whom a certain number of delinquents (antigens) are hiding; some gendarmes present in the crowd (immunoglobulins) are able to distinguish ordinary citizens from criminals; as soon as they recognize one, some agents are activated (plasma cells) and start firing thousands of special colored cartridges (antibodies), which only hit the bad guys; at the same time the gendarmes alert another group of law enforcement agencies (phagocytes and cytotoxic cells), who - arriving en masse on the spot - are able to recognize and arrest the bad guys thanks to the colored spots on their clothes.
Memory of Antibodies
When an antigen attacks the body for the first time, the immunoglobulins take some time to notice its danger.
However, after the stranger has been eradicated, cells remain in the bloodstream - so-called "memory" - which retain the ability to readily recognize the antigen should it reappear, producing a faster and stronger response; it is precisely on this principle that vaccinations are based.
, tears, genitourinary secretions, intestinal and bronchial mucus, colostrum and breast milk. They represent an important means of defense against local infections, preventing colonization by pathogens.
Immunoglobulins D
The role of immunoglobulin D (IgD) has not yet been fully elucidated.
Immunoglobulin E
Immunoglobulins E (IgE) are associated with allergic reactions; in fact, their link with mast cell receptors causes the massive release of inflammation mediators, first of all histamine. Immunoglobulins E are also extremely important in protecting against parasitic infestations.
Immunoglobulin G
Immunoglobulins G (IgG) represent about 75% of adult plasma antibodies and constitute the fulcrum of secondary immune responses (those that intervene in cases where there has already been a previous encounter with the antigen). They have a particularly effective defensive action: they can neutralize various toxins, prevent viruses from colonizing cells and facilitate bacterial phagocytosis. During pregnancy, the mother transmits her IgG to the fetus through the placental membrane, giving the newborn a certain immunity during the first 3-4 months of life.
Immunoglobulin M
Immunoglobulins M (IgM) are antibodies active against blood group antigens and are associated with the primary immune response (initial exposure to the foreign organism); therefore they have a low affinity and are the first to intervene in contact with a new foreign organism. Mature B, which have never been exposed to an antigen, are known as "naive lymphocytes" and express only the IgM isoform on their cell surface.
and confirm the diagnostic suspicion, or to highlight the presence of particular autoantibodies implicated in an autoimmune disease, in the diagnosis of certain types of cancer or allergies.
Preparations based on immunoglobulins can also be injected to the patient, to increase the amount of circulating antibodies, for prophylactic purposes (to prevent the onset of certain pathologies, such as hepatitis A), during the treatment of acute infections or in case of insufficiency antibody.
Select Blood Tests Blood Tests Uric acid - uricaemia ACTH: adrenocortitotropic hormone Alanine amino transferase, ALT, SGPT Albumin Alcoholism Alphafetoprotein Alphafetoprotein in pregnancy Aldolase Amylase Ammonemia, ammonia in the blood Androstenedione Antibody-endomysial antibodies Anti-gliadicides Nucleus Helicobacter pylori antibodies Embryo carcinoal antigen - CEA Prostate specific antigen PSA Antithrombin III Haptoglobin AST - GOT or aspartate aminotransferase Azotemia Bilirubin (physiology) Direct, indirect and total bilirubin CA 125: tumor antigen 125 CA 15-3: tumor antigen 19-9 as tumor marker Calcemia Ceruloplasmin Cystatin C CK-MB - Creatine kinase MB Cholesterolemia Cholinesterase (pseudcholinesterase) Plasma concentration Creatine kinase Creatinine Creatinine Creatinine clearance Chromogranin A D-dimer Hematocrit Blood culture Hemocrome Hemoglobin Glycated hemoglobin a Blood tests Blood tests,Down syndrome screening Ferritin Rheumatoid factor Fibrin and its degradation products Fibrinogen Leukocyte formula Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) Fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin GGT - Gamma-gt Gastrinemia GCT Glycemia Red blood cells Granulocytes HE4 and Cancer at the "Ovary Immunoglobulins Lactulins H white blood cells Lymphocytes Lipases Tissue damage markers MCH MCHC MCV Metanephrines MPO - Myeloperoxidase Myoglobin Monocytes MPV - mean platelet volume Natremia Neutrophils Homocysteine Thyroid hormones OGTT Plasma osmolarity Osteocalcin PAP - Phosphatase Acid Prostatic PAPP-a | pepsinogen PCT - plateletcrit or platelet hematocrit PDW - distribution width of platelet volumes Platelets Platelets Platelets PLT - number of platelets in blood Preparation for blood tests Prist Test Total IgEk Protein C (PC) - Activated Protein C (PCA) Protein C reactive Proteinemia Rast Test specific IgE Reticulocytes Renin Reuma-Test Oxygen saturation Sideremia BAC, blood alcohol TBG - Thyroxine-binding globulin Prothrombin time Partial thromblopastin time (PTT) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) Testosterone Testosterone: free and bioavailable fraction Thyroglobulin Thyroxine in the blood - Total T4, free T4 Transaminases High transaminases Transglutaminases Transferrin - TIBC - TIBC - UIBC - saturation of transferrin Transtyretin Triglyceridemia Triiodothyronine in the blood - Total T3, free T3 Troponin and Cardiac Troponins TRH - Trial stimulus test at TRH TSH - Thyrotropic stimulus test Liver values ESR VDRL and TPHA: serological tests for syphlis Volemia Conversion of bilirubin from mg / dL to µmol / L Conversion of cholesterol and triglyceridemia from mg / dL to mmol / L Conversion of creatinine from mg / dL to µmol / L Conversion of blood glucose from mg / dL to mmol / L Conversion testosteronemia from ng / dL - nmol / L Conversion u recemia from mg / dL to mmol / L
