Immunoglobulin antigen-specific

One component of the age-ielated decline in immune function is decreased production of the lymphokine that promotes the growth of T-ceUs, interleukin 2 (IL-2). Administration of recombinant-derived IL-2, both in vitro and in vivo, appears to restore certain immune functions in aged mice. Recovery of T-regulatory effects on B-ceU differentiation has been reported in human cells from elderly patients treated with IL-1 and/or IL-2 (42). Similar effects have been observed in the presence of the pentapeptide thymopentin [69558-55-0] (Arg Lys Asp Val Tyr), a weU-known IL-2 inducer. Recombinant IL-2 adrninistered to aged mice for three weeks has been shown to correct the T-ceU functional deficiency associated with antigen-specific immunoglobulin production by certain lymphoid tissue (43). 

A B lymphocyte is a specific type of white blood cell (leucocyte) derived from bone marrow stem cells. Each B lymphocyte expresses an immunoglobulin (antibody) specific for a particular antigen. Following antigenic stimulation, a B lymphocyte may differentiate and multiply into plasma cells that secrete large quantities of monoclonal antibody. 

Rehman, J. et al., Increased production of antigen-specific immunoglobulins G and M following in vivo treatment with the medicinal plants Echinacea angustifolia and Hydrastis canadensis, Immunol Lett, 68, 391,1999. 

The acquired immune system has probably received most of the attention in marine mammals, as has been the case in rodent and human immunology. Recent advances include the production of monoclonal [22-24] and polyclonal [25] antibodies to marine mammal immunoglobulins, enabling more precise, and often species-specific, reagents for the detection and quantification of antigen-specific antibodies. 

Figure 1. A general scheme of idiotypes and anti-idiotypes. Depicted here are immunoglobulin proteins whose antigencombining site expresses unique conformations or epitopes, that are termed idiotopes. A collection of idiotopes constitute what is termed idiotype. Some idiotypes are shared by many immunoglobulins with the same antigenic specificity.

Anti-D immunoglobulin Human Specificity against rhesus D antigen... 

Waine, G.J., Alarcon, J.B., Qiu, C. and McManus, D.P. (1999) Genetic immunization of mice with DNA encoding the 23 kDa transmembrane surface protein of Schistosoma japonicum (Sj23) induces antigen-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies. Parasite Immunology 21, 377-381. 

Freedman, D.J., Tacket, C.O., Delehanty, A., Maneval, D.R., Nataro, J., and Crabb, J.H. 1998. Milk immunoglobulin with specific activity against purified colonization factor antigens can protect against oral challenge with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. J. Infect. Dis. Ill, 662-667. 

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