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Related Concept Videos

Humoral Immune Responses01:36

Humoral Immune Responses

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Antibody Structure01:10

Antibody Structure

Overview
Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins (Ig), are essential players of the adaptive immune system. These antigen-binding proteins are produced by B cells and make up 20 percent of the total blood plasma by weight. In mammals, antibodies fall into five different classes, which each elicits a different biological response upon antigen binding.
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Antimicrobial proteins are important components of the immune system. They aid the body in combating pathogens by either killing them directly or hindering their replication processes. Four main types of antimicrobial substances are interferons, the complement system, iron-binding proteins, and antimicrobial proteins.
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Antibody Structure and Classes01:25

Antibody Structure and Classes

Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins, are produced by B cells in response to foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses. These proteins are critical for recognizing and neutralizing these substances, protecting the body from potential harm.
The basic structure of an antibody consists of four protein chains: two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains. These chains are held together by disulfide bonds and other non-covalent interactions, forming a Y-shaped structure.
Antibody Actions01:26

Antibody Actions

Antibodies, or immunoglobulins, are critical players in the immune system's arsenal against invading pathogens. Produced by B cells and plasma cells, their primary role is to detect and bind to specific antigens, molecules found on the surface of pathogens like bacteria or viruses. Beyond antigen recognition, antibodies perform several vital functions that contribute to immune defense.
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Complement System

The complement system is a group of approximately 20 plasma proteins that strengthen the body's defenses against infections through opsonization, inflammation, and cell lysis. Opsonization involves coating pathogens with complement proteins, making them more recognizable and facilitating phagocyte engulfment. Certain complement proteins induce inflammation that attracts immune cells to the site of infection. Cell lysis involves the destruction of pathogens through the formation of a membrane...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Depletion of Specific Cell Populations by Complement Depletion
06:17

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Published on: February 5, 2010

Immunoglobulin in the control of complement action.

M M Frank1, V D Miletic, H Jiang

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. frank007@mc.duke.edu

Immunologic Research
|May 8, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Circulating immunoglobulin may prevent complement-mediated damage to host tissues, especially during autoimmune conditions. This finding suggests a mechanism for intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in treating autoimmune diseases.

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In Vitro Methods for Comparing Target Binding and CDC Induction Between Therapeutic Antibodies: Applications in Biosimilarity Analysis
07:25

In Vitro Methods for Comparing Target Binding and CDC Induction Between Therapeutic Antibodies: Applications in Biosimilarity Analysis

Published on: May 4, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Innate Immunity
  • Complement System

Background:

  • The complement system is crucial for innate immunity against microbes but can cause inflammation and tissue damage.
  • Tight regulation of complement is essential to prevent autoimmune tissue damage.
  • The precise function of circulating immunoglobulin remains largely undefined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis that circulating immunoglobulin down-regulates complement attack on host tissues.
  • To explore the role of immunoglobulin in the context of anti-self antibody presence.
  • To elucidate a potential mechanism for intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing data supporting the hypothesis.
  • Analysis of the interaction between immunoglobulin, complement, and host tissues.
  • Examination of the role of anti-self antibodies in complement activation.

Main Results:

  • Data reviewed are consistent with immunoglobulin's role in down-regulating complement.
  • Evidence suggests immunoglobulin can prevent complement-mediated attack on host tissues.
  • This mechanism is proposed for IVIg's therapeutic effects in autoimmune diseases.

Conclusions:

  • Circulating immunoglobulin functions to protect host tissues from complement-mediated damage.
  • This protective role is particularly relevant in the presence of anti-self antibodies.
  • Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy may exert its beneficial effects by inhibiting complement-mediated autoimmune attack.