State University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Nicolae Testemițeanu"

"Antibodies: Molecular Guardians of the Immune

System"
Dragan Lucia M2315
 Antibodies are components of the immune
.
system that circulate in the bloodstream to
recognize bacteria and viruses and neutralize
. them. Following exposure to a foreign
WHAT ARE substance (antigen), antibodies continue to
ANTIBODIES? circulate in the blood, protecting the body
. against exposure to that specific antigen. They
. are represented by a protein found in plasma,
body secretions, and extracellular fluid and are
.
produced by white blood cells called B
lymphocytes.
.

.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF ANTIBODIES

IMMUNE TOLERANCE
SPECIFICITY Antibodies recognize all types GENE REARRANGEMENT
Each type of antibody of antigen, except autoantigens, B cells, responsible for
recognizes a specific antigen. a feature called immune antibody production, originate in
Each B cell in the body, tolerance. B cells that recognize the bone marrow and mature
responsible for antibody autoantigens are generated by peripherally. During the
production, produces a specific the body but are later eliminated maturation process,
type of antibody. For example, in immunoglobulin genes undergo
. . the bone marrow. Disruptions
an antibody that recognizes the in B cell processing mechanisms rearrangement, generating
. .
measles virus cannot recognize can lead to autoimmune antigen-binding sites.
that of mumps. diseases. Causes of autoimmune
diseases may include viral
infections, fever, disruptions in
the intestinal microbiome, or
pregnancy.​ .
CLASSES OF ANTIBODIES
.

 IgA antibodies are found in serum and

 IgG is the most common antibody,
seromucous secretions, such as saliva,
representing 75% of total plasma antibodies.
colostrum, breast milk, mucus in the
IgG antibodies are found in the blood and . .
digestive and respiratory systems, and
extravascular fluids. When an infection is
play a role in defending against .
present in the body, the level of IgG
infections, protecting mucous
antibodies increases.
membranes against ingested or inhaled
pathogens.
 IgE antibodies are found in the mucosa
of the respiratory and gastrointestinal
 IgM antibodies are the first antibodies
tracts, as well as in lymph nodes, and
play a role in mediating erythematous synthesized
. by a newborn after birth .
vascular reactions. They are crucial for when the baby comes into contact with
, ​
the body's defense against parasites. infectious agents. These are the initial
antibodies produced in response to
exposure to an antigen.
 IgD antibodies are present in
small quantities in the blood,
and their role is to capture
antigens together with IgM. .
 WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS OF ANTIBODIES?

 Among the functions of antibodies is the activation of

complement to destroy bacterial cells by perforating
the cell
. wall (lysis). This process occurs .when .
antibodies
. recognize a conformational antigenic
. .
determinant, resulting in an inflammatory response
that leads to the lysis of microorganisms through the
formation of the cell membrane attack complex.  Neutralization is another important function for
inactivating an antigen, where antibodies binding to
specific viral or bacterial antigens prevent the
. . possibility of infection of host cells.
. .
 Opsonization: Antibodies act as opsonins, meaning they
can enhance the ability of phagocytes to ingest and
destroy pathogens.
 .

 Cell-mediated cytotoxicity is a function that involves

the use of antibodies to destroy infected cells or
pathogens
. too large for phagocytosis. This
. process is .
achieved
. by attaching antibodies (immunoglobulins)
. .
that have opsonized the antigen to the surface of
macrophages, which will subsequently capture and
endocytose the respective antigens.  The placental transfer of antibodies from mother to
fetus occurs by crossing the placental barrier, thus
providing passive immunization to the newborn.
. .
. .
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Thank you!
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