Immunoglobulin Types, Structure

and Functions

Omilabu S.A, Ph.D.

Professor and Consultant Medical Virologist/Immunology
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology,
College of Medicine, University of Lagos

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 Immunoglobulin (Ig)
• Glycoprotein molecules that are produced by
plasma cells in response to an immunogen and
which function as antibodies

• They derive their name from the finding that

they migrate with globular proteins when
antibody-containing serum is placed in an
electrical field

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 General Functions…1
• Antigen binding
– Immunoglobulins bind specifically to one or a few
closely related antigens
– Each immunoglobulin actually binds to a specific
antigenic determinant
– The valency of antibody refers to the number of
antigenic determinants that an individual antibody
molecule can bind
– The valency of all antibodies is at least two and in some
instances more.

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 General Functions…2
• Effector Functions
– Frequently the binding of an antibody to an
antigen has no direct biological effect
– The significant biological effects are a
consequence of secondary "effector functions" of
antibodies
– The immunoglobulins mediate a variety of these
effector functions
– Usually the ability to carry out a particular effector
function requires that the antibody bind to its
antigen
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 General Functions…3
• Not every immunoglobulin will mediate all effector
functions. Such effector functions include:
– Fixation of complement - This results in lysis of cells
and release of biologically active molecules

– Binding to various cell types - Phagocytic cells,

lymphocytes, platelets, mast cells, and basophils have
receptors that bind immunoglobulins

– This binding can activate the cells to perform some

function
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 General Functions…4
• Some immunoglobulins also bind to receptors on
placental trophoblasts, which results in transfer of
the immunoglobulin across the placenta

• As a result, the transferred maternal antibodies

provide immunity to the fetus and newborn

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 Structure of Immunoglobulins
• Monomer: A flexible Y-shaped molecule with four
protein chains:
• 2 identical light chains
• 2 identical heavy chains
• Variable Regions: Two sections at the end of Y’s arms.
Contain the antigen binding sites (Fab). Identical on the
same antibody, but vary from one antibody to another.
• Constant Regions: Stem of monomer and lower parts of
Y arms.
• Fc region: Stem of monomer only. Important because
they can bind to complement or cells.

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Classes of Immunoglobulins..1

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 Classes of Immunoglobulins..2
I. IgG (The Versatile Defender)
• Structure: Monomer
• Percentage serum antibodies: 80%
• Location: Blood, lymph, intestine
• Half-life in serum: 23 days
• Complement Fixation: Yes
• Placental Transfer: Yes
• Known Functions: Enhances phagocytosis,
neutralizes toxins and viruses, protects fetus and
newborn.

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 Classes of Immunoglobulins..3
II. IgM (The Rapid Responder)
• Structure: Pentamer
• Percentage serum antibodies: 5-10%
• Location: Blood, lymph, B cell surface (monomer)
• Half-life in serum: 5 days
• Complement Fixation: Yes
• Placental Transfer: No
• Known Functions: First antibodies produced
during an infection. Effective against microbes and
agglutinating antigens.

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 Classes of Immunoglobulins..4
III. IgA (The Mucosal Guardian)
• Structure: Dimer
• Percentage serum antibodies: 10-15%
• Location: Secretions (tears, saliva, intestine, milk),
blood and lymph.
• Half-life in serum: 6 days
• Complement Fixation: No
• Placental Transfer: No
• Known Functions: Localized protection of mucosal
surfaces. Provides immunity to infant digestive tract.

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 Classes of Immunoglobulins..6
V. IgE (The Allergy Mediator)
• Structure: Monomer
• Percentage serum antibodies: 0.002%
• Location: Bound to mast cells and basophils
throughout body. Blood.
• Half-life in serum: 2 days
• Complement Fixation: No
• Placental Transfer: No
• Known Functions: Allergic reactions. Possibly lysis
of worms.

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 Classes of Immunoglobulins..5
IV. IgD (The Enigmatic antibody)
• Structure: Monomer
• Percentage serum antibodies: 0.2%
• Location: B-cell surface, blood, and lymph
• Half-life in serum: 3 days
• Complement Fixation: No
• Placental Transfer: No
• Known Functions: In serum function is unknown.
On B cell surface, initiate immune response.

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How do B-cells produce Antibodies?
• B cells develop from stem cells in the bone
marrow of adults (liver of fetuses)

• After maturation B cells migrate to lymphoid

organs (lymph node or spleen)

• Clonal Selection: When a B cell encounters an

antigen it recognizes, it is stimulated and divides
into many clones called plasma cells, which
actively secrete antibodies

• Each B cell produces antibodies that will recognize

only one antigenic determinant.
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Clonal selection of Antibodies Production

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 Functions of Antibodies
1. Neutralization of Pathogen
2. Opsonization of pathogen
3. complement Fixation
4. Agglutination of pathogen
5. precipitation of soluble antigens
6. Activation of various immune cells
7. helps in the establishment of immunological memory
8. providing passive immunity to foetus through maternal
immunity
9. mucosal protection
10. ADCC - Antibody Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity

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 AUTOANTIBODIES
Autoantibodies are antibodies produced by the immune system that mistakenly target and
attack the body's own cells and tissues. Instead of recognizing and fighting against external
threats such as bacteria or viruses, the immune system in individuals with autoimmune
diseases produces antibodies that target normal, healthy cells. This inappropriate immune
response can contribute to various autoimmune disorders. Some examples of autoantibodies
and associated autoimmune conditions include:

Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA):

Associated Conditions: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA),
Sjögren's Syndrome, and others.
Target: Nucleus of the cell.

Anti-cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (anti-CCP) Antibodies:

Associated Conditions: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).
Target: Citrullinated peptides in joint tissues.

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOAb) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TGAb):

Associated Conditions: Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (TPOAb), Graves' Disease (TGAb).
Target: Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin in the thyroid gland.

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 MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are laboratory-produced molecules designed to mimic the
immune system's ability to fight off harmful pathogens, including viruses or cancer cells. These
antibodies are created by cloning identical immune cells, called hybridomas, which are
engineered to produce specific antibodies.

Production:
Monoclonal antibodies are typically produced using hybridoma technology. This involves fusing
a specific antibody-producing immune cell with a myeloma cell (a cancer cell of the immune
system) to create a hybrid cell line that continuously produces identical antibodies.

Examples
Palivizumab:which targets the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), it binds to and neutralizes RSV,
preventing infection.It is a passive immunization therapy used to prevent serious lower
respiratory tract infections in high-risk infants.
Trastuzumab: it targets the HER2 receptor, which is overexpressed in some breast cancers. By
binding to HER2, it inhibits the growth signaling pathways, leading to the inhibition of cancer
cell proliferation. It is used in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer.

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Thank You

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