HomeProteinPlasma Proteins Essential In Body Defense Are The
February 1, 2018
Plasma Proteins Essential In Body Defense Are The
Plasma Proteins Essential In Body Defense Are The – Antibodies or immunoglobulins are glycoprotein molecules produced by plasma cells (white blood cells). Antibodies are proteins that your immune cells make to fight off bacteria, viruses, and other harmful invaders. Some conditions cause your body to make too many or too few immunoglobulins. Your body makes several types of immunoglobulin antibodies. They are called IgM, IgG, IgA, and IgE. IgG is found in your blood and tissue. IgM is mostly found in your blood. IgA is found at high levels in fluid your mucus membranes make, such as saliva, tears, and nasal secretions. IgE is mostly attached to immune system cells in your blood.
Plasma Proteins Essential In Body Defense Are The – More than 100 years of investigation into the structure and function of immunoglobulin has only served to emphasize the complex nature of this protein. Typically, receptors bind to a limited and defined set of ligands.
However, although individual immunoglobulin also bind a limited and defined set of ligands, immunoglobulins as a population can bind to a virtually unlimited array of antigens sharing little or no similarity. This property of adjustable binding depends on a complex array of mechanisms that alter the DNA of individual B cells.
Immunoglobulins also serve 2 purposes: that of cell-surface receptors for antigen, which permit cell signaling and cell activation, and that of soluble effector molecules, which can individually bind and neutralize antigens at a distance.
Plasma Proteins Essential In Body Defense Are The – Immunoglobulin Test
An immunoglobulin test measures the level of certain immunoglobulins, or antibodies, in the blood. The body makes different immunoglobulins to combat different antigens. For example, the antibody for chickenpox isn’t the same as the antibody for mononucleosis. Sometimes, the body may even mistakenly make antibodies against itself, treating healthy organs and tissues like foreign invaders. This is called an autoimmune disease.
Serum immunoglobulin tests may be used in the assessment of conditions associated with chronic inflammation (eg. rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune liver disease) or chronic infections (eg. hepatitis C, HIV).3 The tests should also be ordered along with other tests, including serum and urine electrophoresis, when there is suspicion for B-cell malignancy such as myeloma, lymphoma or chronic lymphoid leukaemia.