Antibodies foreign antigens

Antibodies are specialized molecules produced by the immune system to attack foreign antigens. Therefore, an individual with type A blood produces... 

Immunoassays are based on the ability of the immune system to produce a virtually unlimited variety of antibodies each with a high affinity for foreign compounds (immunogens like viruses, bacteria, proteins, and haptens). Analytically, this phenomenon can be exploited by detection of this immunoreaction using labeled antibodies or antigens (i.e., compounds that can be bound by antibodies). The equilibrium between antibody (Ab), antigen (Ag), and immune complex (Ab-Ag) may be expressed as ... 

B lymphocytes, white blood cells originating in the bone marrow, are widely distributed throughout the body and are the essential elements of the immune system, which is responsible for synthesising antibodies against foreign antigens. 

Toxicants, which are proteins, may not be detoxified by the means so far described. They may however be degraded by proteases, removed by antibodies if antigenic, and recognized as foreign. Also those toxicants that rely on disulfide bonds for structure and activity can be inactivated by the enzyme thioredoxin, which reduces these bonds to sulfydryl. 

Another basic characteristic of immune responses is the development of immunologic memory.38-40 This is exemplified by the fact that vaccination can sometimes impart immunity for a person s lifetime. If a foreign protein is injected into an animal, after a lag period of 2-5 days the animal will synthesize antibodies against this foreign antigen. This is called a primary adaptive immune response. If after a few days or weeks a second injection of the same protein is made, a much more rapid synthesis of additional antibodies occurs. This secondary immune response may take place within hours and will last longer than... 

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