isotype

(noun)

A marker corresponding to an antigen found in all members of a subclass of a specific class of immunoglobulins.

Related Terms

  • effector
  • epitope
  • paratope

Examples of isotype in the following topics:

  • Antibodies: Classes and Affinity Maturation

    • Each isotype is adapted for a distinct function.
    • Class switching allows different daughter cells from the same activated B cell to produce antibodies of different isotypes.
    • Class switching is triggered by cytokines; the isotype generated depends on which cytokines are present in the B cell environment.
    • This process results in an immunoglobulin gene that encodes an antibody of a different isotype.
    • Mechanism of class switch recombination that allows isotype switching in activated B cells.
  • Structure and Function of Antibodies

    • In some isotypes, the tail end of the antibody is called the constant region and faces away from the "Y-shaped" paratobe ends, functioning as an Fc tail to which phagocytes can bind.
    • Five different isotypes of antibodies each perform different functions and are generally found in different parts of the body.
  • Active and Passive Humoral Immunity

    • IgG is passed through the placenta to the developing fetus, and is the only antibody isotype that can pass through the placenta.
  • Immunological Memory

    • During pregnancy, IgG, a certain isotype of antibody, is transported to the baby from the mother through the placenta, so even babies have high levels of antibodies with similar antigen specificities as the mother.
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