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Cross-reactivity

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Antibody Structure and Classes

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 Structure

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.
The Y-Shaped Structure of Antibodies Consists of Four Polypeptide Chains
Antibodies consist of four polypeptide chains: two identical heavy...

Antibody Structure

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.
The Y-Shaped Structure of Antibodies Consists of Four Polypeptide Chains
Antibodies consist of four polypeptide chains: two identical heavy...

Diversity of Antigen Receptors

Diversity of Antigen Receptors

Antigen receptors are essential components of the immune system crucial in defending the body against foreign invaders. These receptors are present on the surface of B and T cells, enabling them to recognize antigens and mount an appropriate immune response.
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...

Humoral Immune Responses

Humoral Immune Responses

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Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Identification of Mouse and Human Antibody Repertoires by Next-Generation Sequencing

Identification of Mouse and Human Antibody Repertoires by Next-Generation Sequencing

Published on: March 15, 2019

Human antibody repertoires.

Per-Johan Meijer¹, Lars S Nielsen, Johan Lantto

¹Symphogen, Lyngby, Denmark.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)

|March 3, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Symplex antibody discovery technology isolates fully human antigen-specific antibody repertoires from plasma cells. This method maintains antibody heavy and light chain pairing, ideal for finding drug leads and studying human antibody development.

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Single-cell Screening Method for the Selection and Recovery of Antibodies with Desired Specificities from Enriched Human Memory B Cell Populations

Single-cell Screening Method for the Selection and Recovery of Antibodies with Desired Specificities from Enriched Human Memory B Cell Populations

Published on: August 22, 2019

Area of Science:

Immunology
Biotechnology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Antibody discovery is crucial for developing therapeutics.
Existing methods may not fully capture the natural human antibody repertoire.
Plasma cells are a rich source of high-affinity antibodies.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce and validate the Symplex antibody discovery technology.
To demonstrate the ability to identify fully human antigen-specific antibody repertoires.
To highlight the utility of Symplex for drug discovery and repertoire analysis.

Main Methods:

Utilizes reverse transcription and overlap extension polymerase chain reaction.
Employs single-cell sorting of plasma cells to maintain antibody integrity.
Preserves cognate pairing of antibody heavy and light chains.

Main Results:

Symplex successfully identifies fully human antigen-specific antibody repertoires.
The technology maintains the natural diversity, affinity, and selectivity of donor repertoires.
Isolated antibodies reflect the in vivo antibody response.

Conclusions:

Symplex is an effective technology for discovering fully human antibodies.
The method is suitable for identifying novel drug leads.
Symplex provides insights into human antibody repertoire development and function.