immunoglobulin

(noun)

Any of the glycoproteins in blood serum that respond to invasion by foreign antigens and that protect the host by removing pathogens; an antibody.

Related Terms

Examples of immunoglobulin in the following topics:

  • Antibodies: Classes and Affinity Maturation

    • The different classes of antibody (and thus effector functions) are defined by the constant (C) regions of the immunoglobulin heavy chain.
    • This process results in an immunoglobulin gene that encodes an antibody of a different isotype.
    • Intravenous immunoglobulin, if not otherwise noted, consists of polyvalent IgG.

  • Maturation of B Cells

    • In the heavy-chain 'V' region there are three segments; V, D, and J, that recombine randomly, in a process called VDJ recombination, to produce a unique variable domain in the immunoglobulin of each individual B cell.
    • The BCR is a membrane-bound immunoglobulin.
    • The B cell may either become one of these cell types directly or it may undergo an intermediate differentiation step, the germinal center reaction, where the B cell will hypermutate the variable region of its immunoglobulin gene ("somatic hypermutation") and possibly undergo class switching.

  • Structure and Function of Antibodies

    • An antibody (formally called immunoglobulin) is a large Y-shaped glycoprotein produced by B-cells and used by the immune system to identify and neutralize pathogens.
    • Antibodies are glycoproteins belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily, and are typically made of basic structural units—each with two large heavy chains and two small light chains.

  • Monoclonal Antibodies

    • Human immunoglobulin genes are transferred into the murine genome, after which the transgenic mouse is vaccinated against the desired antigen, leading to the production of monoclonal antibodies.

  • Tight Junctions

    • Junctional adhesion molecules (JAMs), immunoglobulin (antibody) like proteins which help seal the intercellular space between two cells

  • Allergies

    • Allergic reactions are distinctive because of excessive activation of certain white blood cells called mast cells and basophils by a type of antibody called Immunoglobulin E (IgE).

  • Physiology of Lactation

    • It contains higher amounts of white blood cells and antibodies than mature milk, and is especially high in immunoglobulin A (IgA), which coats the lining of the baby's immature intestines, and helps to prevent pathogens from invading the baby's system.

  • Blood Plasma

    • Most gamma globulins are antibodies (immunoglobulin), which assist the body's immune system in defense against infections and illness.

  • Active and Passive Humoral Immunity

    • Artificially acquired passive immunity is a short-term immunization achieved by the transfer of antibodies, and can be administered in several forms: as human or animal blood (usually horse) plasma or serum, as pooled human immunoglobulin for intravenous (IVIG) or intramuscular (IG) use, and as monoclonal antibodies (MAb).

  • Development of the Immune System

    • At birth most of the immunoglobulin is present is maternal IgG.