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Dictionary » I » Immunoglobulin

Immunoglobulin

Definition

noun, plural: immunoglobulins

(1) Any of several classes of structurally related proteins in the blood serum, produced by plasma cells as an immune response against foreign agents (antigens).

(2) The fraction of the blood serum containing antibodies.


Supplement

In placental mammals, there are about five classes of immunoglobulins based on structure and biological activity: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, IgM.


Word origin: immuno- (relating to immune) + globulin.

Abbreviation: Ig

Synonym: antibody

Related terms:


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Allergy questions

... not usually associated with clinical symptoms. Under normal circumstances, food antigen exposure via the gastrointestinal tract results in a local immunoglobulin A (IgA) response and in an activation of suppressor CD8+ lymphocytes that reside in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (oral tolerance). ...

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by aharown07
Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:57 pm
 
Forum: Human Biology
Topic: Allergy questions
Replies: 18
Views: 2365

Blood Transfusion and Agglutination

... answer a bit, Revenged. It is indeed so that the antibodies are found in the plasma (and on the surface of B-cells in the form of a membrane-bound immunoglobulin), but since both are separated from the red blood cells, it is not a big problem. Tiny amounts of both plasma and white blood cells (including ...

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by biohazard
Sun Nov 18, 2007 5:06 pm
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: Blood Transfusion and Agglutination
Replies: 7
Views: 1551

Idiotype of antibodies ?

id·i·o·type(d--tp) n. A set of one or more antigenic determinants specific to the variable region of an immunoglobulin molecule. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published ...

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by blcr11
Sat Mar 31, 2007 3:58 pm
 
Forum: Microbiology
Topic: Idiotype of antibodies ?
Replies: 6
Views: 1258

Antibodies in breast milk

... about in previous post? :twisted: I guess it is about IgA structure, something like this: >-< Well, that structure is needed because the immunoglobulin needs to delivered from lamina propria to lumen via internalization (engulfment). One end will anchor the mucus while the other end will ...

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by Dr.Stein
Thu Feb 22, 2007 7:52 am
 
Forum: Human Biology
Topic: Antibodies in breast milk
Replies: 16
Views: 2362

Immunity questions...

... attach on pathogen surface. Phagocyte (especially macrophage) has a receptor for them. That's direct mechanism. Another mechanism, indirectly, via immunoglobulin: After they attach on pathogen surface, then appropriate immunoglobulin (IgG, IgE, IgM, etc.) will bind them via Fab part. In the meantime, ...

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by Dr.Stein
Wed Feb 07, 2007 8:22 am
 
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Immunity questions...
Replies: 2
Views: 581
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