Immune system Antibodies, Antibody

Antibodies are highly specific, binding only to a restricted part of a given antigen known as an epitope. Given the billions of antibody specificities that may be produced by the immune system, an antibody that recognizes an epitope on virtually any molecule may be produced. It is this property that makes antibodies immensely powerful tools for experimental, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. 

Chemical - complex formation. Earlier we discussed the complexation which can occur between the chelating agent EDTA and heavy metals or the sequestration of lipids in cholestyramine resins. The immune system has antibody-antigen complexes formed which can help in the elimination of the antigen (xenobiotic). 

Related topics The immune system (Dl) Antibody synthesis (D4)... 

Studies in animals revealed that methylisocyanate, by reacting with and changing proteins in the body which would then be recognized as foreign by the immune system, caused antibodies to be produced to the altered proteins. This was also found in the human victims of the Bhopal disaster. ... 

A-6) Protein disorders form a vast category that includes not only the numerous enzyme defects in Biochemistry land but many other defects of proteins that are not enzymes. These are far too numerous to describe in detail, but include diseases of transport proteins (e.g., the hemoglobinopathies, hypoalbuminemia) disorders of the immune system (abnormal antibodies in autoimmune and other immune disorders—fig. 10.1) blood dotting disturbances (e.g., the hemophilias, excess thrombosis) abnormalities of cell membranes (e.g., defective cell surface receptors) and abnormalities of those hormones that are proteins. Many of these disorders are primary defects that stem from gene mutation. Others may be acquired. 

An allergic reaction occurs when the patient develops sensitivity to a medication. When a medication is first administered, the patient s immune system develops antibodies to the medication sensitizing the patient to the medication. 

Chronic rejection is a major cause of late graft loss and is one of the most important problems that remains to be resolved. While chronic rejection simply may be a slow and indolent form of acute cellular rejection, the involvement of the humoral immune system and antibodies against the vascular endothelium appear to play a role. Persistent perivascular and interstitial inflammation is a common finding in kidney, liver, and heart transplantation. Owing to the complex interaction of multiple drugs and diseases over time, it is difficult to dehneate the true nature of chronic rejection. For example, cytomegalovirus is associated with the development of chronic rejection in both liver and heart transplant recipients. Unlike acute rejection, chronic rejection is not reversible. 

The first thing most people think of when they hear the word antibody is "something that floats around in my body and helps me fend off a cold or the flu." In your body, that s indeed the main task for antibodies. Tailor-made by your immune system, antibodies heal you by first identifying— then supervising the destruction of—the microbes that make you sick. Even better, the next time the same molecule or organism comes around, you have the antibodies on hand, just waiting to do away with it. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about antibodies is how versatile... 

Treatment of MS is now based on blocking the action of the immune system. Because antibodies directed against cellular components appear to be responsible for the progression of the disease (regardless of how the autoantibodies were first generated), agents that interfere with immune responses have had various levels of success in keeping patients in remission for extended periods. 

The immune system produces antibodies that seek out, attack, and kill micro-bials. However, this natural defense isn t sufficient for some patients leaving them with a mnny nose, headache, and fever. They need to call in the cavalry. The cavalry is medication that kills the invading microbial. You ll learn about antimicrobial medication in this chapter. 

The immune system develops antibodies to attack a pathogen using one of two methods active immunity and passive immunity. 

Active immunity occurs when the immune system generates antibodies on the first exposure to the pathogen. This immune response is relatively slow, resulting in the patient showing the signs and symptoms of the disease. 

Antibodies are chemical warriors of the immune system. Each antibody is a protein produced specifically in response to an invading chemical species (e.g., molecules on the surface of a virus or pollen grain). The purpose of antibodies is to bind with these foreign agents and cause their removal from the organ-... 

Active immunity Immunity created when an organism s own immune system produces antibodies or other defenses against an agent recognizes as foreign. 

The immune system proteins, antibodies, that hold onto heme rings also make peroxide, because the iron in the heme rings reacts with oxygen. Antibodies are only made to stick to things, but when they stick to iron, they become catalase enzymes. 

Autoantigen A constituent of the body that is recognized by its immune system. An antibody that recognizes an autoantigen is called an autoantibody. 

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