Antibody molecules
Proteins that carry out important functions in immune system
What to Ab molecules bind to?
Bind to antigens (Ag) on surface of pathogens
Pathogens
bacteria or virus
Steps to eliminating a pathogen
- ag enters body to bind to pathogen
- B cells pass by an ag, mature to plasma cells
- ab of certain class produced by B cells to bind to ags
- distributing/binding of ab to ags on pathogens
antigen
on surface of pathogen, can be protein, small molecule, polysaccharide (part of larger molecule)
b cells
circulating white blood cells, encounter ags and produce abs, only produce one kind (many copies)
plasma cells
matured b cells
can cells be stimulated to produce abs outside of the body?
yes, vaccines or other drugs are produced this way immortalized cells (can't die) can also be used
structure of ab molecules/immunoglobulins (Igs)
2 identical light chains, 2 identical heavy chains with common globular domains
effector region
classifies Igs, composition of HEAVY CHAIN region
variable domain of abs
change depending on the type
constant domain of abs
effector region, stays constant within classes (differentiates classes of igs)
how to produce abs outside of body
- collect sera of patients w high concentrations of abs for specific ag (Can’t produce a lot)
- abs can be produced in animals exposed to ag, then immunize them to produce the abs and then take their sera
vaccines-protective immune response
initial immune response creates spike in antibodies for a few weeks and dissipates during protective immunity. immunological memory occurs when there is an infection and there is a spike in antibodies
active vaccines
instilling into recipient a form of the pathogen derived from it that induces immunity (LONG TERM)
passive vaccines
instilling products of the immune response (antibodies or immune cells) (SHORT TERM)
ex: flu shot
requirements of an effective vaccine
- safety
- induce protective immunity
- not everyone needs to be immunized to stop spread
- long lasting protection
- low cost
- also must consider genetic stability, storage considerations, delivery
herd immunity
only 80-95% of a population needs to be immunized in order to stop the spread
