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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 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.

Hybridoma Technology

Hybridoma Technology

Hybridoma technology is used for the large-scale production of monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies bind to only a single antigenic determinant or epitope. Such antibodies are used in research, diagnostics, and disease therapy. The hybridoma technology established in 1975 by Georges Köhler and Cesar Milstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1984 for revolutionizing research and therapy.
Hybridoma Selection
Commonly used fusion techniques — electroporation,...

Transcytosis of IgG

Transcytosis of IgG

Transcytosis is the process in which molecules are internalized by endocytosis, transported across the cell, and released through exocytosis from the opposite end of the cell. Molecules such as insulin, immunoglobulins, and certain nutrients are transferred through the recycling endosomes by recycling and transcytosis.
IgG molecules from a mother undergo transcytosis starting around 13 weeks of gestation. The amount of IgG transferred and entering the fetal blood circulation increases with...

Development of Immunocompetence

Development of Immunocompetence

The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...

Humoral Immune Responses

Humoral Immune Responses

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 6, 2025

Generation of Recombinant Human IgG Monoclonal Antibodies from Immortalized Sorted B Cells

Generation of Recombinant Human IgG Monoclonal Antibodies from Immortalized Sorted B Cells

Published on: June 5, 2015

Impact of IgG subclass on monoclonal antibody developability.

Paul Cain¹, Lihua Huang², Yu Tang³

¹Biotechnology Discovery Research, Lilly Research Laboratories, Lilly Technology Center North, Indianapolis, IN, USA.

|March 22, 2023

Summary

Selecting the right IgG subclass is crucial for therapeutic antibody development. This study systematically evaluated IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 variants, revealing subclass-specific impacts on manufacturability and stability for better antibody design.

Keywords:

Aggregates IgG subclass Monoclonal antibodies charge variants developability fragments host cell protein post-translational modification productivity stability

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Generation of Recombinant Human IgG Monoclonal Antibodies from Immortalized Sorted B Cells

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Generation of Murine Monoclonal Antibodies by Hybridoma Technology

Generation of Murine Monoclonal Antibodies by Hybridoma Technology

Published on: January 2, 2017

Area of Science:

Biopharmaceutical development
Immunology
Protein engineering

Background:

Immunoglobulin G (IgG)-based monoclonal antibody therapeutics are widely used in medicine.
Different IgG subclasses (IgG1, IgG2, IgG4) exhibit distinct molecular properties influencing their therapeutic potential and manufacturability.
Existing research highlights subclass-specific characteristics, such as IgG1's hinge fragility, but lacks systematic evaluation of manufacturability and stability.

Purpose of the Study:

To systematically assess the impact of IgG subclass on the manufacturability and long-term stability of therapeutic antibodies.
To compare IgG1, a modified IgG1, IgG2, and a modified IgG4 subclass in a common formulation buffer.
To provide insights for informed IgG subclass selection in antibody drug development.

Main Methods:

Developed 12 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) using three variable regions cloned into IgG1, IgG1 variant, IgG2, and IgG4 variant scaffolds.
Evaluated cell culture productivity, host cell protein removal, N-linked glycosylation at N297, high-concentration solution appearance, and aggregation/fragmentation.
Assessed stability under thermal stress and long-term refrigerated storage, monitoring charge variants and post-translational modifications.

Main Results:

Identified common molecular attributes across all IgG subclasses and unique characteristics specific to certain Fc domains.
Demonstrated subclass-dependent differences in manufacturability, including cell productivity and host cell protein removal efficiency.
Revealed varying stability profiles concerning aggregation, fragmentation, and charge variant formation under stress conditions.

Conclusions:

IgG subclass significantly influences antibody manufacturability and long-term stability.
Subclass selection impacts critical quality attributes, affecting developability and product lifecycle.
Findings offer valuable guidance for optimizing therapeutic antibody design and accelerating development processes.