Immunoglobulins: Notes

MODULE
Immunoglobulins
Microbiology
57
Notes
IMMUNOGLOBULINS
57.1 INTRODUCTION
When foreign body (or) antigens, water, it activates or produces substances
called antibodies into serum and body fluids and these antibodies reacts with
antigens. The sera with high antibody levels following infection or immunization
are called immune sera.
The term immunoglobulin means proteins of animal origin endowed with known
antibody activity and for other proteins related to them by chemical structure.
OBJECTIVES
After reading this lesson, you will be able to:
z
describe the structure of immunoglobulin
classify immunoglobulins
describe the characteristics of different immunoglobulins
57.2 STRUCTURE
Immunoglobulins are glycoproteins each consisting of two pairs of polypeptide
chains of various sizes. The smaller chains are called light (L) chains and the
larger ones heavy (H) chains. The chain is attracted to H chain by disulphide
bond. H chain has molecular weight of approximately 25,000 and H chain of
50,000.
H chains are structurally and antigentically distinct for each class and are
designated by Greece letter corresponding to immunoglobulin as
498
MICROBIOLOGY
MODULE
Immunoglobulins
Immunoglobulin class
H chain
IgG
(gamma)
IgA
(Alpha)
IgM
(mu)
IgD
(delta)
IgE
(epsilon)
Microbiology
Notes
The H chains are similar in all classes of Immunoglobulins. They are of two types
kappa ( ) and lambda (). The antigen combining site of the molecule is at its
aminoterminals which contains both L & H chains. The amino acid sequence of
carboxy terminal half occur only in a constant sequence and it is therefore called
as constant region whereas the amino acid sequence in the amino terminal half of
the chain is highly variable and it is therefore called variable region. The range of
antibody specificity of Immunoglobulins depends on the variability of the amino
acid sequences at the variable region of H & L chain which terms the antigen
combining sites.
INTEXT QUESTIONS 57.1

1. Immunoglobulins are ................... proteins
2. Smaller polypeptide chain is called ...................chain & larger is called
...................chain
3. Carboxy terminal of immunoglobulin is called................... region and
amino terminal is called ................... region
4. The sera with high antibody activity following infection or immunization
is called as ................... sera
57.3 IMMUNOGLOBULIN CLASSES

Human sera contains IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, & IgE in the descending order of
concentration.
IgG: This is the major serum Immunoglobulin constitution of about 80% of the
total and is equally distributed between intracellular and extracellular
compartments. It contains less carbohydrate than other Immunoglobulins. It has
half life of about 23 days.
IgG is the only material Immunoglobulin that is transported across placenta and
provides passive immunity in new bonds. IgG binds to micro organisms and
enhances their phagocytosis. IgG protects against infectious agents which are
active in blood and tissues. Passively administered IgG suppresses homologous
antibody synthesis by a Icedback process. This property is used in isoimmunization
MICROBIOLOGY
499
MODULE
Microbiology
Immunoglobulins
of women by administration of anti Rh (D) IgG during delivery. Four subclasses

have been identified namely IgG, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4,
IgA: The second most abundant class, constituting of about 10 13 % of serum
Immunoglobulins and its half life is 6 8 days. It is the major Immunoglobulin
in colostrums, saliva and tears.
Notes
The variety IgG plays an important role in lovac immunity against and intestinal
pathogens and they are resistant to digestive enzymes and reducing agents. IgA
antibody inhibits the adherence of micro organisms to the surface of mucosal
cells by covering the organisms. It promotes phagocytosis and intracellular
killing of micro organisms.
IgM: IgM constitutes of 5 8 % of serum Immunoglobulins with a half life of
about five days. IgM is synthesized by fetus from 20 weeks of age. IgM is not
transported across the placenta, the presence of IgM in the fetus or newborn
indicates intrauterine infection and its detection is useful in diagnosis of
congenital infections such as syphilis, rubella, HIV infection and toxoplasmosis.
IgM is found in intravascular space and is responsible for protection against
blood invasion by micro organisms. IgM deficiency is often associated with
septicemias.
IgD: This resembles IgG structurally. It is intravascular and has half life of about
three days. IgD and IgM occur on the surface of unstimulated B lymphocytes
and serve as recognition receptors for antigens.
IgE: This resembles IgG structurally with half life of about two days. It is mostly
extravascular and does not pass placental barriers. Serum levels get elevated
during asthma and eczema.
IgE is produced in the linings of respiratory and intestinal tracts. IgE deficiency
is associated with IgA deficiency in individual with impaired immunity. IgE is
responsible for anaphylactic type of hypersensitivity.
INTEXT QUESTIONS 57.2

Match the following
500
1. IgG
(a) present in respiratory & Intestinal tracts
2. IgA
(b) serves as recognition receptors for antigens
3. IgM
(c) provides passive immunity in Newborns
4. IgD
(d) present in colostrum
5. IgE
(e) synthesized by fetus

MICROBIOLOGY
MODULE
Immunoglobulins
Microbiology
WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT

z
A substance that induces an immune response is called antigen.
The sera with high antibody levels following infection or immunization are
called immune sera.
Immunoglobulins are glycoproteins
Human sera contains IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, & IgE in the descending order
of concentration.
IgG is major Immunoglobulin that is transported across placenta and

provides passive immunity
IgA, the second most abundant class, present in colostrum, saliva and tears.
IgM is synthesized by fetus and is not transported across the placenta, and
is useful in detection of congenital infections
IgM occur on surface of B lymphocytes and serves as antigen receptors.
IgE are present in linings of respiratory & Intestinal tracts
Notes
TERMINAL QUESTIONS
1. Describe the structure of immunglobulins
2. Classify immunoglobulins
ANSWERS TO INTEXT QUESTIONS

57.1
1. Glycol
2. Light & heavy
3. Constant & Variable
4. Immune
57.2
1. (c)
2. (d)
MICROBIOLOGY
3. (e)
4. (b)
5. (a)
501

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MODULE

describe the structure of immunoglobulin

describe the characteristics of different immunoglobulins

INTEXT QUESTIONS 57.1

57.3 IMMUNOGLOBULIN CLASSES

of women by administration of anti Rh (D) IgG during delivery. Four subclasses

INTEXT QUESTIONS 57.2

(a) present in respiratory & Intestinal tracts

(b) serves as recognition receptors for antigens

(c) provides passive immunity in Newborns

(d) present in colostrum

(e) synthesized by fetus

WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT

A substance that induces an immune response is called antigen.

Immunoglobulins are glycoproteins

IgG is major Immunoglobulin that is transported across placenta and

IgM occur on surface of B lymphocytes and serves as antigen receptors.

IgE are present in linings of respiratory & Intestinal tracts

ANSWERS TO INTEXT QUESTIONS

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